Ear; It consists of outer, inner and middle ear parts. In the middle ear, the eustachian tube, which is the air-filled area behind the eardrum and where the structures called hammer, anvil and stirrup that provide hearing are located, opens to the back of the nose and the throat path. With swallowing, air enters the middle ear through the Eustachian tube. In some cases, otitis media can be seen in both adults and children.
What are the Causes of Middle Ear Infection?
Middle ear infection can occur for different reasons. These may be caused by the Eustachian tube: The Eustachian tube helps regulate air pressure in the middle ear, renew the air in the ear, and drain the normal secretions in the middle ear. Otitis media, also known as otitis media, is mostly seen in children. Although otitis media is rare in adults, it can lead to more serious problems.
- The reason why otitis media is more common in children is due to the shape of the Eustachian tube. The Eustachian tube is shorter, more horizontal and wider in children. This increases the possibility of clogging by making it difficult to remove the accumulated liquid inside.
- It may originate from adenoid: Adenoid, also known as adenoid, is located in a region close to the opening of the Eustachian canal. Swelling of the adenoid, which is larger in children compared to adults, due to various reasons increases the risk of ear infection.
- Age: Middle Ear infection is more common between the ages of 1 and 2 years.
- Exposure to cigarette smoke
How a Middle Ear Infection Develops
Inflammation of the middle ear can occur as a result of allergies, colds, sore throat or respiratory tract infection. Later, this infection can cause swelling in the part around the Eustachian tube. This may prevent the fluid in the region from draining from the middle ear to the nasal cavity. The fluid that cannot drain into the nasal cavity collects behind the eardrum, and bacteria and viruses reproducing in this fluid may predispose to middle ear infection. may differ from the above-mentioned symptoms. It is seen seasonally, mostly in autumn and winter. The disease may heal spontaneously or may follow a bad course and require treatment.
The most common symptoms of otitis media in children are;
- Ear pain,
- Sleeping problem,
- High fever,
- Loss of appetite,
- Hearing problems,
- Ear discharge,
- Itching around or inside the ear , irritation.
- Fever,
- Tinnitus,
- Hearing problems,
- Ear discharge.
How to Diagnose Middle Ear Infections?
After ear, nose and throat examination by a specialist physician, if necessary Hearing loss is determined by a hearing test.
How to Treat Middle Ear Infections?
Various treatment methods are used depending on the condition of the disease. Antibiotics, painkillers, decongestant drugs can be prescribed by the specialist physician. In some cases, a surgical procedure is performed. It may need to be used in infections that do not respond to drug treatment.
Untreated or advanced middle ear infections can lead to hole formation in the eardrum, infection in other parts of the head, hearing impairment or permanent hearing loss.
Recurrent middle ear infections may cause hearing problems in pediatric patients. The appearance of hearing problems can delay speech in young children. As a result, children who speak late and have difficulty hearing may have problems in learning and comprehension, and behavioral problems may be observed.
What Should Be Done to Avoid Middle Ear Infection?
Middle ear infections are mostly found in the upper respiratory tract. occur after infection. Taking precautions for upper respiratory tract infections is an important step to avoid otitis media.
Smoking should be avoided and being in places with cigarette smoke should be avoided.
Babies should be breastfed with breast milk as much as possible. Increasing immunity will reduce the risk of ear infections.
External Attention should be paid to ear cleaning and water should be avoided as much as possible.
What is Middle Ear Repair?
Otitis media can also cause damage to the eardrum and middle ear ossicles. Tympanoplasty is the name of the procedure in which both the eardrum and this ossicular chain are repaired and repaired. In patients with a hole in the eardrum and chronic, that is, permanent otitis media, the inflammation in the middle ear and the bones of the middle ear is cleaned and the eardrum is closed (patch). With this operation, the eardrum is repaired and most of the time, hearing is provided better.
The operation is performed behind the auricle or through the external ear canal. The structures in the middle ear ossicles are reshaped and repaired together with other tissues. In such cases, the eardrum is repaired first, and after four months or more, the ossicles are repaired. This procedure is called a phased operation.
Most Frequently Asked Questions
1) When to Perform Eardrum Repair (Tympanoplasty) Surgery? inflammation may occur. For this reason, surgery may be possible at earlier ages.
2) Eardrum Repair (Tympanoplasty) What are the Points to Be Considered After the Surgery? In the first months after the operation, it is necessary to be protected from flu infections. A blow to the ear should be avoided. Care should be taken not to let water get into the ear, and airway transportation that may cause pressure changes should be avoided for 5-6 months.
3) What is Eardrum Surgery (Myringoplasty). However, the eardrum that does not improve during this period and does not respond to treatment is repaired by a surgical procedure called myringoplasty. In other words, if only the eardrum is treated in cases where there is no inflammation, this procedure is called myringoplasty.
In order for the operation to be performed, the ossicles in the middle ear must be intact, there must be no inflammation in the ear, and the patient must be over 3 years old.
4) How is the Eardrum Surgery Performed? It is done under general anaesthesia. Different techniques can be applied. The operation is performed behind the ear or through the ear. However, in order to be able to enter through the ear, the ear hole must be large enough and the ear canal must be of appropriate width.
It takes approximately 2-3 weeks for the patch made on the eardrum to fuse and integrate with the eardrum. It is a procedure that usually results in success. However, if the hole does not close, the process may need to be repeated. Hearing recovery takes an average of 3 months. In order to make a correct interpretation of hearing, it should be waited for at least 6 weeks
5) What are the Points to Be Considered After the Ear Surgery? Coughing and straining should be avoided. It should be fed with fiber foods. Heavy physical sports and movements should be avoided for at least 1 month. Water should not be spilled in the ear for at least 2 months after the operation.
6) What is Mastoidectomy Surgery? Mastoiditis, which is caused by inflammation of the mastoid, a bone located at the back of the ear, is a rare bacterial infection among ear infections. Infection usually occurs as a result of persistent and chronic middle ear infection. In cases that cannot be treated with medication, surgery can be performed.
The operation is performed just behind the auricle. Completely removing the mastoid bone or emptying the ear are also options. With the ear evacuation process, a small hole is opened in the eardrum and the fluid inside is evacuated and the pressure is reduced. A few days of hospitalization may be required after the operation.
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