Question: My name is Don, 43 had an ear infection in both ears. Started in my left ear and my family doctor gave me ear drops than my right ear got infected. So the doctor prescribed antibiotics. The infection went down but she prescribed another round of antibiotics. The infection went away now I have a post ear infection echo. She prescribed steroids, but still the echo still there. Then I went to an ENT and she gave me steroid injection. It’s been 4 day now an I’m still have the echo noises. From the day I had an infection it now it’s been 7 weeks. Also, I had no pain during my infection. Please help.
Answer:
Thank you for your question. I wish I could give you an easy answer. There are three different types of ear infections all of which could cause a post ear infection echo. An infection in the outer ear- otitis externa, (ear canal), the middle ear- otitis media (where the hearing bones are) and the inner ear (where the hearing nerve is). Each has a different presentation, a different set of symptoms, a different cause and different treatment.
An outer ear infection (otitis externa) is an infection of the skin lined tube which makes up the ear canal. This is often called swimmer’s ear. There will frequently be pain when you pull on your ear lobe. It is generally treated with ear drops and keeping the ear dry.
A middle ear infection (otitis media) is caused by a blocking of the tube that drains fluid from the space behind the ear drum. This is common in children, or in adults after flying with a cold. There is usually a hearing loss associated. It is frequently, but not always painful, and pulling on the ear does not cause discomfort. It is usually treated with antibiotics and nasal sprays or decongestants to open up the eustachian tube that drains the middle ear.
An inner ear infection is usually caused by a viral infection of the nerve. It can cause a sudden hearing loss, spinning vertigo, or both. There usually is no pain It is generally treated with steroids- either by mouth or now by injection into the ear. (trans-tympanic steroid injection)
I am not sure which type of infection you have- or perhaps a combination of more than one. If you had a steroid injection, it sounds likely that this was an inner ear infection. I would speak to your ENT doctor further so that you can get a better understanding of what has been going on and what your treatments for your ear infection echo.
Of course, if you’re in the area, we would be more than happy to see you here at the NY Otolaryngology Group and help clear things up. Bringing any hearing test you might have had would be quite helpful.
Robert L Pincus MD
NY Otolaryngology Group
Frequently Asked Questions
There are three main types of ear infections that can cause a post ear infection echo: outer ear infection (otitis externa), middle ear infection (otitis media), and inner ear infection. Each affects different parts of the ear and has distinct symptoms and treatments.
An outer ear infection, or otitis externa, is an infection of the ear canal's skin lining. It often causes pain when the earlobe is pulled and is typically treated with ear drops and keeping the ear dry. It is sometimes called swimmer's ear.
A middle ear infection (otitis media) involves fluid blockage behind the eardrum and is common after colds or flying. It often results in hearing loss, is sometimes painful, and does not cause discomfort when the ear is pulled. Treatment includes antibiotics and nasal sprays or decongestants to open the eustachian tube.
Inner ear infections usually result from a viral infection of the hearing nerve and can cause sudden hearing loss, vertigo, or both. There is typically no pain. Treatment involves steroids, either orally or injected directly into the ear through trans-tympanic steroid injections.
Persistent echo noises after an ear infection may indicate ongoing inner ear involvement or nerve irritation. Since treatment varies with infection type, ongoing symptoms suggest the need for further evaluation by an ENT specialist to clarify the exact cause and to adjust treatment.
If echo noises persist after antibiotic and steroid treatment, it is important to follow up with an ENT specialist. They can perform diagnostics like hearing tests and determine whether additional therapies or investigations are required to address inner ear problems.
Yes, certain ear infections, especially inner ear infections, can occur without pain. For example, viral inner ear infections often present with hearing loss or vertigo but typically without discomfort, making diagnosis based on symptoms alone challenging.
