These are vital to hearing.Įar infections in the middle ear can cause fluid to build up behind the eardrum. Otitis media occurs when bacteria or viruses make their way into the middle ear. Middle ear infection (otitis media) is a common cause of discharge from the ear. Other conditions that can cause discharge include infection or injury. For more information, please visit the FDA Web site.In most cases, discharge from your ear is simply ear wax making its way out of your body. Ear candles can cause serious injuries and there is no evidence to support their effectiveness. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advise against the use of ear candles. Any hearing loss experienced by your child should be restored after the fluid is drained. They also allow air to get into the middle ear, which helps prevent fluid build-up. They allow the doctor to suction out the fluid behind the ear.

These small tubes are inserted through the ear drum. If the fluid does not go away after a certain amount of time and treatment, your child may need ear tubes. Then, he or she will inflate the balloon with their nose. Your child will simply insert the balloon nozzle in one nostril while blocking the other nostril with a finger. You can easily use a nasal balloon at home. A nasal balloon can help clear the fluid from the middle ear. One treatment your doctor may suggest is a nasal balloon. If it is, he or she may give your child antibiotics. Your doctor may want to check your child again at some point to see if fluid is still present. Usually the fluid goes away in 2 to 3 months, and hearing returns to normal. A warm, moist cloth placed over the ear may also help. You can give your child an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as acetaminophen, (one brand: Children’s Tylenol) if he or she is uncomfortable. If your child is older than 6 months of age and only has mild symptoms, the best treatment is to let the fluid go away on its own. This increases the risk for tube blockage and infection. Drinking while lying down can wash bacteria from the throat right into the Eustachian tubes and middle ear space. It is not a good idea to let your baby fall asleep with a bottle or to leave a bottle in the crib. Children who have frequent ear infections can also develop otitis media with effusion after their infection is gone, if fluid stays in the middle ear. If this happens, your child may need to be treated with antibiotics. This will usually increase pressure behind the eardrum and cause a lot of pain. If bacteria grow in the middle ear fluid, an effusion can turn into a middle ear infection (acute otitis media). If the Eustachian tubes are blocked, fluid in the ear cannot drain normally. A sudden increase in air pressure (descending in an airplane or driving on a mountain).Drinking while lying on the back (bottle-fed babies).Enlarged adenoids (glands near the ear).The following may cause the Eustachian tube to swell:

This can cause fluid to build up in the middle ear. It can become partially or completely blocked. But sometimes the Eustachian tube swells. Normally, this tube lets fluid drain out of the middle ear.

The Eustachian tube connects the middle ear with the back of the throat.

Fluid behind eardrum