Earache Health Article

What to expect at your health care provider's office

The doctor will do a physical examination, which may include examination of the:

• Ear
• Mastoid (bony part behind the ear)
• Nose
• Throat

Pain, tenderness, or redness of the mastoid often indicates a serious infection.

During the examination, the doctor will ask questions about the ear pain, such as:

• When did it begin?
• Is it getting better, worse, or staying the same?
• Is the pain constant?
• What other symptoms are present?
• Is there ear pressure?
• Is there drainage from the ear?
• Are there unusual ear noises?
• Is there a fever?
• Is there pain in the bone behind the ear?
• Is there hearing loss?

Because most ear infections improve within 24 hours of seeing a doctor, physicians are less likely to prescribe antibiotics immediately. They will often wait to see if symptoms continue or worsen. This strategy has been shown to reduce antibiotic usage.

If antibiotics are prescribed, it is important to take ALL of the prescribed antibiotics on schedule. Ear tubes may be inserted for children who have persistent or recurring ear infections, to re-establish the proper functioning of the middle ear. Inserting ear tubes is a simple and effective surgical procedure.

Prevention

The following steps can help prevent earaches:

• Avoid smoking near children. Smoking has been shown to cause millions of ear infections each year in children.
• Prevent outer ear infections by not putting objects in the ear, and drying the ear after bathing or swimming.
• Take steps to control allergies. In particular, avoid allergy triggers. Steroid nasal spray may help reduce ear infections. However, over-the-counter sedating antihistamines and decongestants do NOT prevent ear infections.

References

American Academy of Pediatrics Subcommittee on Management of Acute Otitis Media. Diagnosis and management of acute otitis media. Pediatrics. 2004;113(5):1451-1465.