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Complications
By Mayo Clinic staffMany ear infections clear on their own after about three days with no complications. However, long-lasting or recurrent ear infections can lead to:
- Short-term hearing loss. Fluid buildup can temporarily affect hearing. That's because it's harder for the eardrum and the tiny bones in the middle ear to send sound vibrations through fluid.
- Long-term hearing loss. Usually the fluid disappears on its own in a few weeks. But sometimes it remains in the middle ear for months, which can damage the eardrum and bones in the middle ear. Persistent middle ear fluid was once thought to contribute to speech or developmental delays in children, but researchers now say this isn't true.
- Ruptured eardrum. During ear infections, fluid and pus may press against the eardrum. This can be painful. Rarely, the pressure ruptures the eardrum. If this happens, you may see a discharge of pus and blood from the affected ear. This can be alarming. But the rupture actually relieves the pain, and in most cases the eardrum heals on its own. If the eardrum ruptures repeatedly and doesn't heal, surgical repair may be needed.
Untreated ear infections can also lead to a type of sinus infection known as mastoiditis, which affects a space in the bone of the skull that's behind your ear. Rarely, infections can move from the ear to other parts of the head.
