Ear Infections:
Causes, Symptoms,
And Lasting Relief

The best approach depends on the type and cause of the infection. Viral infections, for example, usually clear up on their own, while bacterial infections may need antibiotics. For recurring middle ear infections, you should try to focus on the underlying drainage problems in your child’s or your own Eustachian tube, which may include medical solutions or non-invasive options like chiropractic care. It’s always best to talk with your doctor to determine the best plan for you.

Common signs of an ear infection include sudden ear pain, a feeling of fullness or pressure in your ear, and muffled hearing. In young kids, signs may also include a fever, irritability, and tugging at their ear. If the infection is in your outer ear (swimmer’s ear), you may notice intense itching, redness, and swelling in the ear canal.

Most middle ear infections caused by viruses may go away within two to three days, even without treatment. If the infection is bacterial and needs antibiotics, symptoms typically start to get better within 48 to 72 hours of starting the medication. If symptoms like pain or fever persist longer than a few days, you should talk to a doctor.

The main way to tell is if you have symptoms like ear pain, a muffled sound in one or both ears, or a persistent pressure. Your healthcare provider can confirm the diagnosis by looking at your eardrum with a tool called an otoscope to check for signs of swelling or fluid buildup. For infants, fussiness and ear tugging are key signs of an ear infection.

No, ear infections generally aren’t contagious. You can't "catch" the infection from another person. However, the underlying colds or flu viruses that often lead to the ear infection are contagious. When you catch one of those, it may lead to the swelling and fluid buildup that triggers an ear infection.

A middle ear infection often feels like a deep, persistent pressure or ache that may be sharp or throbbing, similar to the discomfort you feel when flying higher in an airplane. This feeling is caused by the trapped fluid pushing against your eardrum. For a swimmer’s ear infection, the feeling is usually more concentrated in the outer canal, with intense itching and soreness when you touch your ear.

To help drain an ear infection, you want to help open up your middle ear’s natural drainage system (the Eustachian tube) so it can release the fluid. You may be able to do that by treating underlying congestion or by using gentle chiropractic adjustments to relieve tension around the Eustachian tube.

Yes, many ear infections do resolve on their own within a few days, especially if it’s a viral infection. That said, if the infection is bacterial or severe, medication may be necessary to help prevent complications and speed up recovery. Chiropractic adjustments may also help improve drainage and relieve pain.

If your ear feels clogged due to a middle ear infection, the way to find relief is to encourage the fluid trapped behind your eardrum to drain through the Eustachian tube. You can try yawning, chewing gum, or gently applying external heat. But addressing the underlying infection is usually necessary to get the Eustachian tube working again, which may require antibiotics.

The key difference is location: swimmer’s ear is an infection of your outer ear canal, where extensive exposure to water may make it easy for bacteria or fungi to grow. A middle ear infection is an infection behind your eardrum, where illnesses like the cold or flu may swell up your Eustachian tube and trap fluid in your middle ear, potentially leading to an infection.

Yes, both allergies and sinus pressure can cause a middle ear infection. They may cause swelling in your nose, sinuses, or Eustachian tube, which may prevent your Eustachian tube from draining fluid from your ear. That trapped fluid may then allow bacteria or viruses to multiply and create an infection.