Signs of Ear Problems

Ear problems are most often caused by an ear infection. However, regardless if is an infection or not there are some obvious signs that can help you to know if you or your child has a problem. A doctor uses an instrument with a light that is attached to a magnifying glass, which allows a clearer image of the inner ear.

Loss of Hearing Due to Obstruction

A wax buildup inside the ear canal can cause an obstruction, which may not cause any pain but it can cause loss of hearing. Typically, it gives the same feeling of being under water or feeling like you have something in your ear. The treatment for a wax obstruction is irrigating the ear, which consists of pressured water directly placed inside the ear by your doctor or nurse practitioner.

An Ear Infection

An ear infection normally causes continual pain, the outside of the ear may be red, and if the ear is touched or moved severe pain can be felt. An infection has to be treated with antibiotic that your doctor prescribes to you or your child. The ear infection can be either an external infection, causing redness and visible swelling, or a middle ear infection, which causes the eardrum to accumulated fluids.

Tinnitus

Tinnitus also known as “ringing in the ears” is a sound that the person hears constantly. It is very common with at least one person out of five being affected. This is often a diagnosis given but it is not an actual condition, rather there is something else going on that is causing the ringing sounds. Though typically not serious, it is annoying to the sufferer. It could be caused by normal hearing loss due to age, or even an injury to the ear itself. The ringing sounds may be brief or they could be present during every waking hour depending on the severity of what is causing it.