Otitis media - chronic

Definition

Chronic otitis media is inflammation or infection of the middle ear that persists or keeps coming back.

See also: Acute otitis media

Alternative Names

Causes

Chronic otitis media is present when fluid behind the eardrum does not go away. It occurs when the Eustachian tube becomes blocked repeatedly (or remains blocked for long periods) due to allergies, multiple infections, ear trauma, or swelling of the adenoids. The Eustachian tube is the passage from the back of the nose to the middle ear.

When the middle ear is actually infected with bacteria (or occasionally, viruses) rather than just inflamed, it is more serious. A chronic ear infection may be the result of an acute ear infection that does not clear completely, or the result of recurrent ear infections. The infection may spread into the mastoid bone behind the ear (mastoiditis), or fluid build-up may cause pressure that ruptures the eardrum or damage the bones of the middle ear.

"Suppurative chronic otitis" is a phrase doctors use to describe an eardrum that keeps rupturing or draining or inflammation in the middle ear or mastoid area that does not go away.

A chronic ear infection may be more destructive than an acute ear infection because its effects are prolonged or repeated, and it may cause permanent damage to the ear. However, a chronic, long-term infection may show less severe symptoms -- so the infection may remain unnoticed and untreated for a long time.

Ear infections are more common in children because their Eustachian tubes are shorter, narrower, and more horizontal than in adults. Chronic ear infections are much less common than acute ear infections.