Chronic Otitis Media
Alternate Names : Persistent Otitis Media, Recurrent Otitis Media, Glue Ear
What can be done to prevent the condition?
To prevent otitis media, children should receive prompt
treatment for ear infections. If antibiotics are prescribed, the pills or liquid
must be taken until gone, even if the child feels better. Children may
be given special vaccines to help prevent future infections as well.
What are the long-term effects of the condition?
With prompt treatment, there usually are no long-term effects,
unless treatment fails. Untreated cases or treatment failure may result in:
hearing loss
speech and learning delays secondary to hearing loss
scarring of the eardrum
damage to the bones that assist with hearing and some of the skull
bones
damage to the nerves responsible for hearing, which can cause
permanent, untreatable deafness
extension of the infection into the skull or even the brain, which can
cause death in rare cases
What are the risks to others?
Chronic middle ear infections are not catching and pose
little risk to others.
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