Earache (Otitis Media) Service

In older children otitis media presents as an earache.

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In younger children the child would present with one or more of the following symptoms: 

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• Holding, tugging, or rubbing of the ear

• Not react to some sounds

• Be irritable or restless

• Be off their food

• Keep losing their balance

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• ​Specific symptoms​

  • pain inside the ear (earache)

  • a high temperature

  • difficulty hearing

  • discharge running out of the ear

  • a feeling of pressure or fullness inside the ear

  • itching and irritation in and around the ear

  • scaly skin in and around the ear

• Non-specific symptoms such as

  • fever,

  • crying,

  • poor feeding,

  • restlessness,

  • behavioural changes,

  • cough or runny nose.

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• If it's otitis media, depending on the severity, we can prescribe antibiotics or ear drops to speed up the patients recovery. 

​You cannot always prevent ear infections, particularly infections caused by colds and flu.

But there are things that can help:

• make sure your child has had all their childhood vaccinations

• keep your child away from smoky environments

• try not to give your child a dummy after they're 6 months old

• do not stick cotton wool buds or your fingers in your ears

• use earplugs or a swimming hat over your ears when you swim

• try to avoid water or shampoo getting into your ears when you have a shower or bath – you could put cotton wool smeared with petroleum jelly into your ear while showering if it's difficult to keep water out of your ears

• treat conditions that affect your ears, such as eczema or an allergy to hearing aids

If you require antibiotics you will get them for free if you are entitled to free NHS prescriptions or have to pay the standard NHS prescription charge if you pay for prescription.