The middle ear, located behind the eardrum, transmits vibrations from the eardrum to the inner ear via the ossicular chain, enabling sound perception. Otitis media can arise from inflammation of the outer ear canal extending to the middle ear, or from pharyngitis causing Eustachian tube inflammation that spreads to the middle ear. Common symptoms include ear pain, ear discharge, hearing impairment, tinnitus, and fever.

Prolonged inflammation leads to fluid and pus buildup behind the eardrum. This reduces the eardrum's vibration and restricts the ossicular chain's movement. Consequently, sound transmission to the inner ear is incomplete, causing hearing loss. Pressure from pus and chronic inflammation gradually thins and weakens the eardrum, leading to rupture and perforation.

Frequent recurrence of otitis media can progress to chronic suppurative otitis media. In this condition, the lining of the middle ear cavity thickens, pus discharges persistently, and the eardrum perforation widens. This can result in complications such as cholesteatoma (an abnormal growth) in the middle ear, which erodes the mastoid bone (responsible for maintaining middle ear ventilation and pressure stability), leading to hearing loss. In severe cases, the infection may erode the ossicular system (responsible for sound conduction), causing severe hearing loss, gradual deafness, or damage to the facial nerve, leading to facial paralysis. The infection can also spread to the brain.

Patients experiencing complicated otitis media with eardrum perforation and mastoiditis are recommended for surgery. The goal is to clear the infection, repair the eardrum, reconstruct the sound conduction system, restore hearing, and prevent further spread of infection.

Doctor Hang performs mastoidectomy for a patient. Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital

You should take your mother to an ear, nose, and throat specialist for an assessment of the damage and a hearing test, allowing the doctor to determine an appropriate treatment plan. Early treatment improves hearing and prevents dangerous complications such as mastoiditis, widespread infection, or permanent hearing loss.

Master, Doctor, Level II Specialist Tran Thi Thuy Hang

Head of Ear, Nose, and Throat Department

ENT Center

Tam Anh General Hospital