Ear Infections: FAQ's

What are common medical terms for ear health and ear problems?

• Acute otitis media – common ear infection of the middle ear space

• Adenoidectomy – surgery to remove the adenoids

• Analgesic – a pain relief medicine

• Antibiotic – a medicine that stops the growth of bacteria

• Audiometer – a device used to measure hearing for pure tones and speech

• Bacteria – organisms that cause most ear infections, in addition to viruses

• Chronic otitis media – persistent middle ear inflammation which can damage the eardrum or hearing bones

• Decibel – the unit of measure for sound intensity

• Earwax (cerumen) – waxy substance produced in the outer part of the ear canal to protect canal skin

• Effusion – a collection of fluid that may contain bacteria

• Myringotomy – an incision made into the eardrum

• Otitis media without effusion – swelling of the middle ear lining without fluid buildup

• Otitis media with effusion – fluid in the middle ear without ear infection symptoms

• Otitis media with perforation – a tear in the ear drum resulting from a middle ear infection

• Otoscope – a device that helps examine the ear

• Perforated eardrum – a hole or tear in the eardrum, often caused by an infection

• Recurrent otitis media – three ear infections in three months, four in six months, six in 12 months

• Swimmer’s ear – an infection in the outer ear caused by bacteria in trapped water in the ear canal

• Tinnitus – ringing in the ears (clicking, humming, buzzing) caused by damage to the hearing nerve commonly caused by age and loud noises

• Tympanostomy tubes – small tube inserted in the eardrum to help drain fluid, mucus and pus