The human ear consists of the external, middle and inner ear. The middle ear is an air-filled space with three tiny bones that transmit sound vibrations to the inner ear, the site of the hearing nerves. The middle ear connects to the nasal cavity through the eustachian tube, which helps equalize the pressure between the middle ear and the external environment. Conditions that affect the middle ear and eustachian tube may cause an accumulation of fluid in the middle ear, resulting in congestion.
Acute Otitis Media
A middle ear infection, or acute otitis media, occurs when bacteria or viruses migrate through the eustachian tube to the middle ear, causing inflammation, swelling and an accumulation of fluid. The fluid in the middle ear limits eardrum movement, leading to a temporary decrease in hearing ability in the affected ear. Acute otitis media typically causes ear pain.
Acute otitis media proves a common and frequent infection among infants and young children, reports the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. Ear infections occur less commonly in adults. The condition typically arises after a head cold or sore throat. Viral acute otitis media often clears spontaneously. Bacterial otitis media may require a course of antibiotic therapy.
Serous Otitis Media
The accumulation of noninfected fluid in the middle ear is known as serous otitis media, or otitis media with effusion. Patients often develop this condition after a bout of acute otitis media. It may also arise because of a poorly functioning or blocked eustachian tube. Nasal allergies and swelling of the immune tissue at the back of the nose, the adenoids, often contribute to eustachian tube blockage and poor fluid drainage from the middle ear, notes the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. The fluid causes middle ear congestion similar to acute otitis media. Lack of pain and infection of the middle ear distinguish serous otitis media from acute otitis media.
Serous otitis media often resolves spontaneously. When the condition persists and significantly reduces hearing capacity, doctors often recommend the surgical placement of ear tubes, also known as myringotomy or tympanostomy tubes. The doctor makes a tiny incision in the eardrum, drains the fluid from the middle ear and inserts the ear tube into the incision to maintain an opening. The restoration of normal pressure in the middle ear and evacuation of fluid typically alleviates the hearing loss associated with serous otitis media.
Nasopharyngeal Tumor
The area behind the nose that opens into the throat is the nasopharynx. Tumors in this area may block the eustachian tube, leading to ear congestion. In the online medical reference text "Primary Care Otolaryngology, Otitis Media," Dr. J. Gregory Staffel notes that serous otitis media affecting one ear in an adult may be an early warning sign of nasopharyngeal cancer.
References
- National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders: Ear Infections in Children
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia: Otitis Media with Effusion (Serous Otitis Media)
- American Academy of Otolaryngology: Primary Care Otolaryngology, Otitis Media
- EarSurgery.org: Serous Otitis Media
- MayoClinic.org: Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma, Symptoms
