An ear infection is a common childhood infection that occurs when a portion of the ear becomes inflamed. An ear infection can affect the outer portion of the ear (the ear canal), in which case it is called otitis externa or “swimmer’s ear,” or it can affect the middle portion of the ear, in which case it is known as otitis media. Usually when someone says “ear infection” they are referring to otitis media. Ear infections often occur when an upper respiratory infection such as those that cause sore throats and colds, spreads to the middle ear. The infection can be viral or bacterial.

Ear infections are very common among infants and children: three out of four children will have had at least one ear infection by age three and almost half of those children will have had three or more ear infections. Most children stop getting ear infections by the time they reach age seven. Though they are most common in children, adults can get ear infections too.