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What are the Most Common Ear Infection Symptoms?

Sheri Cyprus
Sheri Cyprus

The most common ear infection symptoms depend on whether the person with the infection is an adult or child as well as which part of the ear is infected. In children who aren't yet fully verbal, it may be difficult to recognize the symptoms of an ear infection. If ear infection symptoms are suspected in a child or an adult, medical help should be sought immediately. A doctor can usually quickly determine if an ear problem such as an infection is present in one of the ear's three main sections.

The outer, middle and inner sections make up the main parts of the ear. The outer part includes what is visible to the naked eye — the outside ear with the earlobe. The opening in the outer ear leads to the middle ear. The middle ear is an air pocket surrounded by bones that connect the inner ear and eardrum. The inner ear contains nerves that control hearing and balance, while the skin layer called the eardrum vibrates to send sound waves throughout the ear.

Ear pain and dizziness are the most common symptoms of ear infection.
Ear pain and dizziness are the most common symptoms of ear infection.

Swimmer's ear, or otitis externa, is an infection of the outer ear and the least serious type of ear infection. The ear infection symptoms typical of otitis externa are strong pain and tender earlobes, but the ear may also be itchy. A discharge of yellow or gray pus from the ear is a sign that the infection has advanced. The discharge may have a foul odor. Swimmer's ear is common in older children and adults and may be caused when bacteria and water enter the ear during swimming.

The outer, middle and inner sections map up the ear.
The outer, middle and inner sections map up the ear.

A middle ear infection, or otitis media, is caused by a bacterial or viral infection spread by an illness such as a cold or respiratory infection. Otitis media is especially common in children, and middle ear infection symptoms may cause a child to grab at his or her ears and be more irritable than usual. A child with a middle ear infection may have trouble sleeping as well as difficulty hearing. For example, he or she may fail to notice softer sounds. A fever or fluid around the ear may be present in children with otitis media.

Dizziness is often a symptom of an ear infection.
Dizziness is often a symptom of an ear infection.

Adults with otitis media may experience dizziness, a loss of balance and/or a loss of hearing. The lining of the middle ear swells when infections are present and a stuffed-up feeling is one of the most common ear infection symptoms. Whether the person experiencing symptoms of an ear infection is an adult or child, medical help should be sought as soon as possible. If not treated, a middle ear infection could spread to the inner ear causing a much more serious infection.

Discussion Comments

lightning88

Are the symptoms of a dog ear infection similar to symptoms of human ear infections? My dog can't hear very well all of the sudden, and she seems to be having pain in her ears. Does she have an ear infection?

Can anybody tell me what the common canine ear infection symptoms are?

closerfan12

Another good thing to note about ear infection symptoms in adults is that it is easy to mistake a beginning ear infection for a sinus infection.

A lot of times it won't show up with ear pain like it does in children; rather, an ear infection may simply seem like the onset of a bad cold.

You might have a sore throat from the drainage, a low grade fever, and a headache.

This is because of the connection between the Eustachian tubes and the sinuses; in fact, an ear infection can sometimes be caused by too vigorous blowing of the nose during a sinus infection -- it can send mucus back up into the Eustachian tubes, where it gets stuck and gets infected.

However, if you start showing ear infection symptoms, get treatment as soon as you can, before it turns into a full-blown ear infection. That way you can avoid the ear pain, hearing loss, and dizziness that can come with a full-blown ear infection, and heal faster too.

rallenwriter

Are there any commonalities in sinus infection and ear infections symptoms in toddlers?

My niece always seems to get sinus problems, and I was wondering if it could possibly be connected to a latent ear infection that flares up and causes the sinus problems.

She doesn't show any inner ear infections symptoms, her balance and everything is fine, but we're just trying to figure out is her sinus issues could be related to a chronic ear infection.

Does anyone know?

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    • Ear pain and dizziness are the most common symptoms of ear infection.
      By: Piotr Marcinski
      Ear pain and dizziness are the most common symptoms of ear infection.
    • The outer, middle and inner sections map up the ear.
      By: Maximo Sanz
      The outer, middle and inner sections map up the ear.
    • Dizziness is often a symptom of an ear infection.
      By: Valua Vitaly
      Dizziness is often a symptom of an ear infection.
    • A fever may be present when a child has otitis media.
      By: robhainer
      A fever may be present when a child has otitis media.
    • If there are symptoms of an ear infection, medical attention should be sought as soon as possible.
      By: Lisa Eastman
      If there are symptoms of an ear infection, medical attention should be sought as soon as possible.
    • An infection of the inner ear, or labyrinthitus, can cause dizziness and disrupt a person's sense of balance.
      By: kasto
      An infection of the inner ear, or labyrinthitus, can cause dizziness and disrupt a person's sense of balance.