Otitis media - chronic
Alternative Names
Middle ear infection - chronic; Ear infection - chronic; Chronic otitis media; Chronic ear infectionSymptoms
- Ear pain or discomfort, earache
- Usually mild
- May feel like pressure in the ear
- Pus-like drainage from the ear
- Hearing loss
Exams and Tests
An examination of the ear may show dullness, redness, air bubbles, or fluid behind the eardrum. The eardrum may show drainage or perforation (a hole in the eardrum). The eardrum may bulge out or retract inward.
Cultures of drainage may show bacteria. These bacteria may be resistant or harder to treat than the bacteria commonly involved in acute ear infection.
Skull x-rays or a CT scan of the head or mastoids may show spreading of the infection beyond the middle ear.
Hearing tests may be needed.
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