Inflammation in the ears is usually caused by ear infections. The body produces an inflammatory response to fight off the infection. The combination of the infection and the inflammatory response is the cause of the pain, pressure and general discomfort that goes along with ear infections. The infections can be either bacterial or viral, and the different types and locations of the infections can cause different patterns of inflammation.
Acute Otitis Media
Acute otitis media, or an acute infection of the middle part of the ear, is a very common cause of ear inflammation. The infection forms in the part of the ear behind the eardrum and causes inflammation of the eardrum and the tissues behind it. The inflammation causes swelling and fluid buildup behind the eardrum, which puts extra pressure on it. The combination of eardrum inflammation and pressure can be very painful.
Chronic Otitis Media
Chronic otitis media is characterized by a perforation in the eardrum associated with a long-lasting middle ear infection. As the eardrum and tissues behind it are continuously exposed to viral and bacterial organisms, the tissue in that area remains continuously inflamed. The inflammation in those cases causes pain, hearing loss and drainage from the ears. Although an acute ear infection can often resolve on its own or with antibiotics, a chronic infection often requires surgical repair.
Swimmer's Ear
Swimmer's ear, also known as otitis externa, is an infection of the skin of the ear canal. That infection causes swelling and inflammation in the ear canal that can cause severe pain. In some cases, the inflammation is so severe that the canal swells completely shut. Ear drops containing a combination of antibiotics and steroids are usually effective at treating the infection and decreasing the inflammation in the ear canal. Oral antibiotics can be added to ear drops in more extreme cases.
References
- American Academy of Family Physicians: Otitis Media with Effusion
- American Academy of Otolaryngology: Fact Sheet: Chronic Otitis Media (Middle Ear Infection) and Hearing Loss
- British Medical Journal; Clinical efficacy of three common treatments in acute otitis externa in primary care: randomised controlled trial; Frank van Balen; November 2003
