Otitis and Middle Ear

Otitis media is the inflammation of the middle ear. It is mostly a disease of older people and those who wear contact lenses or hearing aids. There is no known cause for otitis. However, sometimes the cause for otitis can be found. Here are some of the known causes of otitis:

This can be caused by the bacteria that gets trapped in the middle ear when the eardrum is injured. Sometimes it is caused by fluid or phlegm from the nose that can get stuck in the middle ear. Bacteria and fluid that get trapped in the middle ear can reduce the flow of ear wax. When not treated, this will lead to thickening of the middle ear tissue. Also, if the cause of otitis is continuous exposure to loud noise for an extended period of time, it may lead to middle ear bone loss.

Excessive earwax build up is also one of the causes for otitis. The excessive wax is the result of being unable to break down the old earwax naturally. Sometimes, people with oily skin may produce more earwax than others. When this happens, it can block the auditory canal.

Causes for Otitis

The other known cause for otitis is chronic ear infections. When there is a bacterial or fungal infection inside the inner ear, it can be very painful. It can also cause tinnitus, which is characterized by a ringing sound in the ears. Sometimes this happens when the wax builds up on the inner ear. The common problem that occurs is when an ear infection is caused by foreign objects that entered the ear through the nose. This may happen when swimming or diving.

Hearing Impairment

Hearing impairment can also cause otitis. If the middle ear is damaged due to damage from an ear infection or injury, it will have a negative impact on your hearing. This will also have an effect on your ability to hear external sounds. This is the reason why some middle-aged people suffer from otitis more often than others. In addition, people who wear high-heeled shoes are also at a higher risk for this condition.

Excessive earwax production is also a cause otitis. Excessive wax buildup in the ear will block the auditory canal and cause ear pain. This is also the reason why middle-aged and older people are more likely to suffer from otitis than younger people. Even athletes are also susceptible to otitis, as the constant pressure on their ears can lead to pain.