Ear Problems in Adults

The human ear, as we know has three sections; the outer ear, the middle ear and the inner ear, out of which the middle and the outer sections are more prone to infections and various other ear problems. The ear infections in adults can be divided into two categories - outer and middle ear problem. If these ear infections are not treated on time, the person might suffer form various problems, one being permanent loss of hearing.

Types of Ear Problems and their Causes

The various problems that affect each sections of the ear have been given, along with their causes and symptoms. After reading this, if you feel that you are showing some of the symptoms, then you will know what to do.

Outer Ear
Causes: The outer ear infection is also referred to as the Otitis Externa or Swimmer's Ear. The name derives its name form the ear problem suffered mainly by the swimmers, due to the contaminated water entering their ears. This infection mainly occurs in the ear canal and the infection is able to spread due to the warm and moist condition of the outer ear. Not only swimming, but even a mild injury to the ear canal, can cause this infection.

Symptoms: The symptoms in the outer ear are usually, redness of the ear, pain in the ear while moving, or touching the ear. Drainage of pus from the ear and constant itching inside the ear, and flaking of the skin, are some of the other symptoms of this infection. If a person shows these symptoms, or if the doctor says that the infection is swimmer's ears, then do not worry. If proper ear infection treatment is carried out, then they can be treated.

Treatments: The various swimmers ears treatments and precautions are cleaning of the pus by the doctor and using an antibiotic ear drops to treat the infection. If one experiences a mild ear pain during this time, then gently place a warm cloth or heating pad on that part in order to ease the pain. Wear ear plugs before you start swimming so that the contaminated water cannot enter your ear (prevention is better than cure). You can also blow dry your ear gently after swimming, in order to dry the canal.

Middle of Ear
Causes: This is also known as Otitis Media or the chronic ear problem. Although this infection is common in children, even adults might suffer from it. This infection usually takes place in the Eustachian tube, which runs from the ear canal to the back of the throat. Cold, sore throat, fluid or bacteria trapped in the ear, and various other respiratory problems, are the main causes of middle ear infection in adults. These usually blocks the tube, thus preventing proper ventilation in the middle ear, due to which there is accumulation of fluids and bacteria in the middle ear, thus causing ear infection. If a person is allergic to any food, even that can cause middle ear infection.

Symptoms: If the middle ear infection is not treated on time, then there will be an obstruction in the movement of the eardrum and also the ear ossicles. This might lead to loss of hearing. The person will also undergo severe pain in the ear due to this infection. The major symptoms are dizziness, fever, drainage of pus from the ear, loss of balance, pain in the ear, problems in hearing clearly, nausea, and vomiting.

Treatments: There are several treatments for middle ear infection. If proper treatment is carried out, then the infection can be treated without any kind of complications. The various treatments are taking several antibiotics which can help in treating the infection. If the person has any nasal polyps, then that can be surgically removed. One can prevent middle ear infections in adults if one stops smoking and also when one has a cold then they should take a decongestant. One should also not clean their ear with a sharp and pointed object.

Inner Ear
Besides the outer and the middle ear, even the inner ear are prone to certain infections. The most common form of the inner ear infection are the Presbycusis which is usually hearing loss that is linked with old age. This happens because with age the hair cells which are found within the cochlea, starts wearing out. This causes hard of hearing in people. Another infection of the inner ear is the Labyrinthitis, which is an inflammation in the inner ear. This infection in turn affects the cochlea, which plays an active role when it comes to hearing. This infection might happen if the person receives a blow on their head, or if the person had suffered from some kind of trauma. These problems can however be treated by the use of hearing aids and devices, that can allow the person to have a normal communication.

Besides these ear problems, earwax and a foreign particles getting stuck in the ear, is also a major cause of worry. These however can be removed by the doctor. Do not try to poke it out with some sharp instrument as you might damage the eardrum. There are several earwax removal process which you can ask your doctor. Follow whatever the doctor says and whenever you feel that you are suffering from a major earache, go to the doctor immediately so that the infection does not spread further, leading to permanent loss of hearing.