Wondering if you have an ear infection? Read this!
Ear infections are most common in children, who have smaller ear canals that could trap bacteria or viruses. However, it is also possible for older ones and adults to get ear infections as well. If you are concerned about your hearing health, check out these signs you have an ear infection. If you need medical attention, please contact Clarity Audiology in the Baltimore area!
Signs You Have an Ear Infection
An ear infection is bacteria or a virus that is harboring in your middle or inner ear. You can detect it by these symptoms:
- Ear pain
- Feeling of fullness in the ear (middle ear infection)
- Sudden hearing loss (inner ear infection)
- Dizziness (inner ear infection)
- Vertigo
- Nausea
- Fever
- Fluid draining from ear
How to Cure an Ear Infection
There are several things you can do to help yourself get over an ear infection.
- See a doctor: In some cases, you can wait the infection out and let it heal on its own, but it doesn’t hurt to see a doctor and get antibiotics or antiviral medication if necessary.
- Take it easy: Do not strain yourself; it’s okay to take it easy and rest up. Protect your affected ear from allergens or contaminants, keep clean, rest well, and stay hydrated.
- Eat well: Aside from hydration, maintaining a regular, healthy diet will help keep up your well-being and assist in your healing.
- Take OTC medication: If you have severe ear pain or nausea, it doesn’t hurt to take medication for those symptoms, granted you take them as directed.
What to Do If Your Eardrum Ruptures
In some cases, an ear infection can lead to a ruptured eardrum. You will know the ruptured eardrum is due to an infection if you notice fluid draining from the ear. Should this happen, please see a doctor to get the appropriate medicine. Over time, the eardrum will heal itself.
Tips to Prevent Ear Infections
Keeping yourself as clean and healthy as possible is the best way to prevent ear infections. If you get a respiratory illness, treating it will help to keep it from spreading to your ears.
Trust the Experts at Clarity Audiology & Hearing Solutions
Need help with your hearing? Clarity Hearing can help. Clarity Audiology & Hearing Solutions is an independently owned and operated clinic that focuses on quality of care and personalized, friendly service to the surrounding areas of Ellicott City, Catonsville, Columbia. Our Doctors of Audiology are highly trained with advanced degrees and take the time to provide the personalized care and attention that you need and deserve. We provide advanced hearing aid options that are personally calibrated with cutting-edge digital technology to fit your hearing loss, your unique ear anatomy, and your individual listening needs.
You can call us today to schedule a FREE Hearing Protection Consultation at 410-698-6594! For more blog posts, news, and updates, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and LinkedIn.