Ear & Hearing
Ear Infection Treatment
From a child’s middle-ear infection to swimmer’s ear in adults — accurate diagnosis and the right treatment, without over-treating.
Middle ear infections (otitis media) are among the most common childhood illnesses — fluid trapped behind the eardrum becomes infected, causing ear pain, fever, fussiness and muffled hearing. Adults get them too, along with outer ear canal infections (swimmer’s ear). Dr. Bortniker examines the ear directly, distinguishes bacterial infection from simple fluid, and treats accordingly — including identifying the children whose recurring infections need more than another round of antibiotics.
When to Have an Ear Checked
- Ear pain or tugging at ears
- Fever with fussiness
- Muffled hearing or fluid feeling
- Drainage from the ear
Talk to a specialist
Gentle, accurate ear care for children and adults — Somerville and Warren offices.
Middle Ear Infections in Children
Children’s Eustachian tubes are short and horizontal, so colds easily leave fluid trapped in the middle ear. Many infections clear on their own; bacterial ones may need antibiotics. The bigger question is recurrence: repeated infections or fluid that never drains can affect hearing during the years children are learning speech and language.
When Ear Tubes Enter the Picture
For children with frequent infections (commonly three in six months or four in a year) or persistent fluid with hearing loss, tiny ventilation tubes placed in the eardrum drain the middle ear and dramatically reduce infections. Learn more on our ear tubes page.
Swimmer’s Ear and Adult Infections
Outer ear canal infections cause pain with touching or pulling the ear and respond to prescription drops and careful cleaning. Adults with recurring middle ear problems deserve an exam of the Eustachian tube and nasopharynx to find out why.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every ear infection need antibiotics?
No — many middle ear infections, especially milder ones in older children, resolve on their own with pain control and observation. The exam guides that decision safely.