Ear infections are some of the most common and bothersome medical conditions in kids. An ear infection can occur in the external ear canal or in the middle part of the ear that is behind the ear drum. Infections in the ear canal are usually caused by infection in the skin of the ear canal, and are most commonly associated with getting the ear wet when swimming. Middle ear infections often go along with upper respiratory infections or with eustachian tube dysfunction.
Ear Pain
The most common symptom in kids with ear infections is pain, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. This is usually caused by inflammation in the tissue that lines the middle ear or of the skin of the ear canal, or it is caused by the middle ear fluid pushing on the ear drum. One of the common ways that parents can tell that a child has an ear infection is that they will pull on their earlobes, or cry when the ear is pushed or pulled. This can be extremely uncomfortable for the child.
Ear Drainage
Another common sign of an ear infection is ear drainage. Fluid can drain from the ear from inflammation of the ear canal. According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology, when kids get middle ear infections, fluid builds up behind the ear drum and the drum can sometimes perforate. In these cases, parents may notice blood tinged drainage from the infected ear.
Decreased Hearing
Middle ear infections commonly cause fluid to build up behind the ear drum. Besides causing discomfort, this also causes kids to have muffled hearing. The sensation is similar to a person trying to hear when they are under water. Younger kids may not complain of this problem, but a parent should suspect this condition when their child becomes poorly responsive to the parent's voice. According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology, hearing can also be decreased to a lesser degree due to a chronic ear infection associated with a perforated ear drum.
