{"id":2931,"date":"2024-03-29T09:51:02","date_gmt":"2024-03-29T04:21:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.yashodahealthcare.com\/blogs\/?p=2931"},"modified":"2024-04-17T11:43:03","modified_gmt":"2024-04-17T06:13:03","slug":"infection-of-the-middle-ear-chronic-otitis-media","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.yashodahealthcare.com\/blogs\/infection-of-the-middle-ear-chronic-otitis-media\/","title":{"rendered":"Infection of The Middle Ear (Chronic Otitis Media)"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading Time: <\/span> 2<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>

Chronic Otitis Media (COM) is commonly referred to as infection of the middle ear.<\/p>\n

Talking about the middle ear, it is a shallow chamber behind the ear drum which houses the small bones to transmit sound from the eardrum to the inner ear. It is connected by the Eustachian Tube to the area behind the nasal cavity. The Eustachian Tube in turn helps to maintain middle ear pressure and drainage of secretion from the middle ear. In case of any sore throat or upper respiratory tract infection, the Eustachian Tube becomes inflamed and the middle ear becomes infected. Recurrent or long-term middle ear infection can result in chronic ear infections which we refer to as the Chronic Otitis Media.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Read Also:<\/strong> All About Sinonasal Tumours: Types, Symptoms and Treatment<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Chronic Otitis Media (COM): Types of Chronic Ear Infections<\/strong><\/h2>\n

There are 3 main types of Chronic Otitis Media:<\/strong><\/p>\n

1. COM-Mucosal Disease (inactive):<\/strong><\/p>\n

This is a condition associated with perforation in the eardrum along with hearing loss; however, in this, there will be no active ear discharge.<\/p>\n

2. COM-Mucosal Disease (active):<\/strong><\/p>\n

This is a condition associated with ear drum perforation along with discharge and hearing loss. It is precipitated in patients of Chronic Otitis Media (COM) with water entry or upper respiratory tract infection.<\/p>\n

3. COM with Cholesteatoma (also known as COM-Squamosal Disease):<\/strong><\/p>\n

Long-standing Eustachian Tube dysfunction can lead to eardrum retraction and cholesteatoma pocket formation. Cholesteatoma pockets have the propensity for bony erosion and infection. Patients with this type of disease have foul-smelling scanty discharge and hearing loss. In some situations, if the disease is not timely managed, it can spread from the middle ear to the inner ear leading to sensorineural hearing loss and dizziness. Rare but serious complications of meningitis, brain abscess and facial nerve paralysis are also known to occur.<\/p>\n

Read Also:<\/strong> Juvenile Nasopharyngeal Angiofibroma: Symptoms and Treatment<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Symptoms of Chronic Otitis Media (COM):<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Common complaints include:<\/p>\n