Almost every parent has been in the ear infection trenches with their kids. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, ear infections are the most frequently diagnosed illness in children in the U.S., second only to the common cold. By age three, five of every six kids will have had at least one ear infection.
And some kids get more ear infections than others (like a lot more). A UCLA Health study found that 4.6 million kids had more than three infections in a year.
So if you feel like your child has been personally targeted by the Ear Infection Fairy, you’re not alone. This is one of those childhood rites of passage—like diaper blowouts and spaghetti in the hair—that pretty much every parent faces.
Ear infections mean one thing to parents: more stress. You'll have uncomfortable, irritable kids and have to deal with sleepless nights. Of course, you'll also have the "what ifs" that come for every parent sooner or later: "What if this ear infection leads to something worse, like hearing loss?"
Here’s a closer look at how to deal with one of the more stress-causing childhood health issues for parents.
What Is an Ear Infection? Understanding the Basics
The ear is surprisingly complicated. It has three zones, and each can develop a different type of infection.
Outer Ear (a.k.a. “swimmer’s ear)
The outer ear is like a funnel that moves sound toward the eardrum. Outer ear infections (AKA swimmer's ear) happen when moisture or bacteria get into the ear canal, making it irritated and itchy.
Middle Ear (otitis media)
The middle ear has the eardrum and three small bones that help amplify sounds. Middle ear infections can be very painful for kids because the inflammation and fluid buildup presses right on the eardrum. Middle ear infections are what we commonly think of when little kids get an ear infection and may or may not need antibiotics.
Inner Ear (Labyrinthitis/Vestibular Neuritis)
The inner ear nerves send sound wave info to the brain and help with balance. Inner ear infections are quite rare, but they can be very scary for parents because of symptoms like a loss of balance or hearing.
You're a parent, so there will always be some worry, but you can take some stress out of the equation by understanding ear infections in kids, the symptoms, and when it's time to dial the doc.
How Common Are Ear Infections
The short answer? Really common. In fact, according to the American Academy of pediatrics, ear infections are the number one reason for pediatric antibiotic prescriptions.
Here is a breakdown of ear infections in kids by the numbers.
That’s a lot of antibiotics, sleepless nights, and doctor visits. And it’s exactly why knowing when to treat (and when to wait) can make a huge difference for your kid—and your sanity.
How to Tell If Your Child Has an Ear Infection
Ear pain is a neon advertisement for an ear infection, but it's not the only thing to look out for. Ear infections wreak other kinds of havoc, too:
Outer Ear Infections
Outer ear infections usually happen after water gets trapped in the ear canal—hence the nickname “swimmer’s ear.” If your kid’s been splashing around a lot and starts complaining of ear pain, this could be the culprit. Here are the classic signs:
- Ear pain—especially when touched. The biggest giveaway? If your child winces or pulls away when you touch their outer ear or tug the earlobe gently.
- Itchy ear canal. They might be constantly scratching at their ear or complaining that it “feels weird” or “tickly.”
- Drainage from the ear. You might notice clear, yellow, or even pus-like fluid coming from the ear canal—especially after swimming or bathing.
- Muffled hearing or a feeling of “fullness”. Your kid might say their ear feels “plugged” or that they can’t hear well from one side.
- Mild fever (sometimes). Not always present, but a low-grade fever can show up with more severe cases.
- Swelling or redness of the outer ear. The ear canal and even the area around the ear might look red, swollen, or tender.
- Foul-smelling discharge. If it smells off, it could be a sign the infection is getting worse.
- Fussiness, especially after water exposure. For littles who can’t explain pain, irritability after baths or swim time can be a clue.
Middle Ear Infections
If your little one is cranky, clingy, and won’t stop pulling at their ear—there’s a decent chance you’re dealing with a middle ear infection. Add these symptoms to your checklist.
- Ear tugging or pulling. Classic sign in babies and toddlers who can’t say, “My ear hurts.”
- Irritability or fussiness. They’re cranky and clingy, especially when lying down.
- Fever. Often low-grade, but sometimes spikes up (especially in younger kids).
- Trouble sleeping. Lying down can increase pressure in the ear, making it more painful.
- Hearing problems. They might not respond to their name or seem like they're ignoring you (but not in the usual toddler way).
- Balance issues. The inner ear helps with balance so that infection can throw things off.
- Fluid draining from the ear. If the eardrum bursts, you might see yellow or white discharge.
- Loss of appetite. Chewing or swallowing can increase ear pressure and discomfort.
- Delayed speech (with repeated infections). Frequent ear infections can affect hearing, which in turn impacts speech development.
Inner Ear Infections
Inner ear infections are less common in kids than middle ear infections, but they come with a very different set of symptoms—mostly affecting balance and coordination. If your kid’s stumbling like they just spun in circles for fun, their inner ear might be the culprit. Look for these signs:
- Dizziness or vertigo. They may say something like, “the room feels like it’s spinning”.
- Balance problems. You notice them stumbling, falling over, unsteady walking, or clumsiness more than usual.
- Nausea or vomiting. Especially if the nausea or vomiting is tied to motion or standing up.
- Hearing loss. Hearing loss can come on suddenly or more gradually.
- Ringing in the ears. a.k.a tinnitus.
- Trouble focusing or increased irritability. This is often due to the disorienting symptoms
If your kid is showing any of the above symptoms, it’s a good idea to contact your pediatrician to get it checked out.
Causes of Ear Infections in Kids
If you’re wondering, “What causes ear infections in kids?” and “Why does my child keep getting ear infections?” There are two reasons: the shape of children's ears and their underdeveloped immune systems.
Ear Shape
Eustachian tubes are a tunnel between the ear and the throat. They are flatter and narrower in kids, setting the stage for viruses and bacteria to get trapped there.
Dr. Mona, the pediatric expert at Poppins, explains: "Some children are prone to more ear infections than others due to the way their head and ears are shaped. If your child has smaller, more horizontal ear canals, they’re more likely to develop fluid after a cold, which can mean an ear infection follows."
Underdeveloped Immune Systems
Kids' immune systems are still learning to deal with all the viruses they encounter. You aren't fond of the runny nose and cough that come with these common illnesses, but bacteria love them and see congested Eustachian tubes as the perfect vacation spot.
Allergies and Other Problems
Allergies and ear infections also go hand in hand. Bacteria don't care about what's causing that runny nose or cough. They just know it means they're going to find their favorite conditions inside your child's Eustachian tubes.
Treatment Options: What Works and What Doesn’t
Antibiotics
What draws out an ear infection? Most parents are tempted to rush to the most common baby and toddler ear infection treatment: antibiotics.
That's understandable: it's a safe bet. If there's anything serious, the medication will take care of it.
But don’t be in a rush to jump to antibiotics.
The American Academy of Pediatrics says that antibiotics may not always be necessary for children over age two with non-severe ear infections. These infections will often go away on their own. And, using antibiotics when they aren't needed can lead to antibiotic resistance. This could cause a nightmare scenario where the medications won't work when your kids really need them.
Instead of asking how you get rid of an ear infection ASAP, consider adopting a wait-and-see approach before using antibiotics.
Over-the-Counter & Home Remedies
Of course, you still have to do something while you watch for worrying symptoms.
Over-the-counter medications like children's Tylenol or child’s Ibuprofen can help to address ear pain while the infection resolves. These medications can help with the inflammation that occurs with ear infections.
Home remedies can also help. In fact, your grandma's old remedies are still reliable. For instance, hot compresses can soothe discomfort, and cold compresses can numb the ear and reduce swelling. Also, hydration is key—keep your child drinking fluids and get them in bed early so that their immune system gets the rest it needs to fight off the infection.
Recurring Ear Infections: When to Worry
If you’re wondering, "Why does my child keep getting ear infections, and how do I stop recurring ear infections?" Your child might be one of the more than 4 million kids who suffer from recurring ear infections each year.
If your kid is dealing with chronic ear problems, it's time to play detective and find what's causing the infections. Then, you can focus on treating the cause rather than using antibiotics for infection after infection.
Can You Treat Recurring Ear Infections?
The short answer? Yes.
Doctors have a secret weapon for untreatable ear infections: ear tubes. These small tubes help drain fluid from the middle ear. The draining means less pressure on the eardrum, and less pain for your kiddo.
Won't My Kids Eventually Grow Out of Ear Infections?
Yes—your kid grow out of their ear infections as they age.
But frequent ear infections can cause your worst fears to come true: lasting hearing damage. If your kid's ears flood with fluid again and again, it can damage the eardrum and bones in the middle ear, causing permanent hearing loss. That’s why it's important to keep your pediatrician in the loop on recurring ear infections and escalate your concerns to an ear, nose, and throat specialist as needed.
Prevention Strategies: How to Reduce the Risk of Ear Infections
Good hygiene, like frequent hand washing, can help keep the germs that cause ear infections at bay.
Immunizations are also extremely important. Dr. Mona explains that parents should "keep up with vaccinations, especially things like pneumococcal vaccine and flu. Pneumococcal was the leading cause of ear infections, and since the pneumococcal vaccine was introduced, we don't see as many ear infections.”
A Strong Immune System Can Help
When they do catch the flu (you know it's inevitable), rest, hydration, and a nutrient-rich diet bring extra support to kids' immune systems. Like flu shots, these steps make the flu shorter so that the virus or bacteria has less time to make their home inside your kids' ears.
Finally, you can reduce congestion during colds or allergy attacks with saline nose drops, humidifiers, or over-the-counter medications.
Dr. Mona suggests the following preventive measures:
- Keep up with vaccinations, especially pneumococcal vaccine
- Avoid bottle propping (propping a baby’s bottle up with an object to feed)
- Reduce exposure to cigarette smoke
- Treat allergies if present
- Frequent hand-washing
With these steps, you can avoid those sleepless nights and the stress of seeing your kids dealing with ear pain.
Ear Infections and Flying: How to Prevent Pain on Airplane Rides
Ear pain in airplanes isn't just for kids. If you've been in the skies, you know that air pressure from altitude changes can really hurt your eardrums.
Your Eustachian tubes are eventually able to equalize this pressure after some popping and discomfort. But if they're clogged with fluid or mucus, they'll struggle to do the job.
There's no way around it: flying is painful for kids with ear infections.
Reconsider flying if your child has moderate or serious ear pain, fluid drainage, or a fever. Also, change your flights if you notice inner ear infection symptoms like dizziness or nausea.
When to Seek Medical Attention
The biggest challenge for parents: while you don't want to start antibiotics at the first sign of an earache, you also don't want to wait too long to see a doctor. If symptoms don't improve in a few days or if the ear pain seems to be getting worse, don't hesitate to make that appointment.
Also, get to the clinic if your child has a high fever for more than a day or two, if you notice pus or fluid draining from the ear, or if your child has balance or hearing problems.
Can a Specialist Help?
If your child has recurring ear infections (more than three times per year) or ear pain that does not respond to treatment, it is time to see an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist.
They can help you find the cause of chronic infections and check for more serious issues that could cause hearing loss or permanent damage.
Final Thoughts: Helping Your Child Through Ear Infections
Ear infections are a part of childhood and can leave you stressing about when to get treatment and when to wait. You can get more peace of mind if you understand how to relieve ear pain and the signals of a bad infection that requires a trip to the doctor.
If you're patient and calm, you can manage your child's earaches and ear infections without too much stress. Poppins is here with 24/7 pediatric care to answer all your ear ache questions and walk through your treatment options.
