Otolaryngology and ENT

Otitis media is a cluster of inflammatory diseases of the middle ear.The two main types are acute otitis media (AOM) and otitis media with effusion (OME).AOM is an infection of sudden onset that usually presents with ear pain.In young children this may result in drawing at the ear, increased crying, and poor sleep.Decreased eating and a fever may also be present.OME is typically not connected with symptoms. Occasionally a feeling of completeness is described.It is defined as the presence of non-infectious fluid in the middle ear for other than three months.Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) is middle ear inflammation of greater than two weeks that results in episodes of release from the ear. It may be a barrier of acute otitis media. Pain is hardly present.All three may be associated with hearing loss. The hearing loss in OME, due to its chronic nature, may disturb a child's ability to learn.