1. Anatomy of an Ear Infection Slideshow Pictures
2. Ear Infection Quiz: Test Your Medical IQ
3. Tinnitus (Ringing of the Ears) Slideshow Pictures

Medical Author:

Benjamin Wedro, MD, FACEP, FAAEM

Benjamin Wedro, MD, FACEP, FAAEM

Dr. Ben Wedro practices emergency medicine at Gundersen Clinic, a regional trauma center in La Crosse, Wisconsin. His background includes undergraduate and medical studies at the University of Alberta, a Family Practice internship at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario and residency training in Emergency Medicine at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.

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Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Most otitis media will resolve with symptomatic care including pain control, good hydration, and humidity. Bullous myringitis and otitis externa almost always requires medical care. It may be difficult to distinguish between the different types of ear infection without seeking medical care.

Pain that lasts for a few hours or increases in intensity should be evaluated by a health care professional. As well, earache associated with hearing loss, unexplained fever, and general malaise or feeling poorly should be clues that care may be needed.

Infants under the age of 8 weeks who develop a fever should be taken for medical care immediately.

People with diabetes or those who are immunocompromised are at risk for malignant otitis externa, a condition that requires aggressive antibiotic treatment. The symptoms include earache, fever, and redness around the ear. These should be warning signs to seek medical care.

A person complaining of earache, but also has a fever, headache, neck stiffness, lethargy, and is vomiting may be signs of meningitis or encephalitis and should seek emergency medical care immediately.

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