Q: My 8-year-old child's ear infection healed, but they still have muffled hearing. Why is this happening?

Medically reviewed by Sang Hyun Ahn, MD

Content edited by Myeongchan Kim, MD

This post is a dramatization of a question and answer session experienced by our actual medical reviewers. Please note that this content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your health or treatment.

Question:

My 8-year-old child had acute otitis media (a middle ear infection) about two weeks ago. The doctor checked and said the infection has healed, but my child still complains that their ear feels stuffy and muffled.

This actually happened about two months ago as well. Back then, they took antibiotics, and the local clinic said it was cured, but the muffled feeling continued. We even went to a major hospital and had six different ear tests done, but everything came back normal, and they couldn't pinpoint the cause. We just lived with it until two weeks ago when my child caught a cold and the ear infection returned. After taking medicine for 10 days, an ear endoscopy showed it was fully healed. The stuffiness is slightly better than before, but my child says it is still there. Will it get better over time? It is very frustrating to see them uncomfortable.

Answer:

It is completely understandable that you are frustrated and worried, especially after going through comprehensive tests at a major hospital without finding a clear cause for your child's persistent ear stuffiness.

It is actually quite common for a muffled or stuffy feeling in the ear to persist even after an acute ear infection has clinically resolved. Here are the main reasons why this happens:

1. Otitis Media with Effusion: The acute bacterial or viral inflammation has healed, but non-infected fluid remains trapped in the middle ear space.

2. Eustachian Tube Dysfunction: The tube that connects the back of the nose to the middle ear is not opening and closing properly to equalize pressure.

3. Tissue Changes: Repeated infections can cause temporary swelling or changes to the eardrum and middle ear lining.

4. Underlying Allergies or Rhinitis: Nasal inflammation from colds or allergies can keep the Eustachian tubes swollen and blocked.

Here are a few actionable steps you can try at home to help relieve your child's symptoms:

• Eustachian tube exercises: Encourage your child to chew gum, yawn frequently, or gently blow out while holding their nose closed and mouth shut (ensure they do this very gently!).

• Manage nasal symptoms: If your child has rhinitis or allergies, treating those nasal conditions simultaneously is crucial for helping the ears clear up.

• Increase fluid intake: Drinking plenty of water helps thin out mucus in the body.

• Avoid water exposure: Keep your child away from swimming or activities where water might enter the ears for the time being.

What to expect going forward:

In many cases, it takes about 4 to 12 weeks for the middle ear fluid to completely drain and for the muffled feeling to go away naturally. However, you should schedule a follow-up visit with an ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) doctor if:

• There is absolutely no improvement after another 2 weeks.

• You notice signs of hearing loss or your child is unresponsive to normal conversation volumes.

• Your child begins experiencing dizziness or new ear pain.

Because your child is experiencing recurrent ear infections and prolonged symptoms, it would be highly beneficial to seek a second opinion from a dedicated Pediatric ENT specialist. They can provide a more specialized, tailored approach to managing recurrent middle ear issues in children.

For extra peace of mind and clear guidance when tracking your child's symptoms, the FeverCoach app is always there to help.

fevercoach.us

Apple App Store

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