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Chronic Otitis Media

Prevention & Expectations

What can be done to prevent the condition?

To prevent otitis media, children should receive prompt treatment for ear infections. If antibiotics are prescribed, the pills or liquid must be taken until gone, even if the child feels better. Children may be given special vaccines to help prevent future infections as well.

What are the long-term effects of the condition?

With prompt treatment, there usually are no long-term effects, unless treatment fails. Untreated cases or treatment failure may result in:

hearing loss

speech and learning delays secondary to hearing loss

scarring of the eardrum

damage to the bones that assist with hearing and some of the skull bones

damage to the nerves responsible for hearing, which can cause permanent, untreatable deafness

extension of the infection into the skull or even the brain, which can cause death in rare cases

What are the risks to others?

Chronic middle ear infections are not catching and pose little risk to others.

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