What Happens If You Ignore an Ear Infection?

Dr. K. R. Meghanadh 

Many people see ear infections as a minor inconvenience that will resolve on its own. While most ear infections may resolve without complications, ignoring a few can result in severe and potentially irreversible damage, making it not worth ignoring any ear infection.

Consequences of Ignoring an Ear Infection

Ear is one of the complex organs in the human body which is in close proximity to vital organs. If you ignore an ear infection it can lead to multiple consequences and here are a few:

1. Spread of infection from one part to other parts

2. Perforation of eardrum or hole in the ear

3. Damage to middle ear bones

4. Infection in the brain membrane or brain

5. Nerve damage

6. Permanent hearing loss

Spread of Infection

Ear infection can spread from one part of the ear to another part of the ear.

For example: a middle ear infection can spread to the external ear or the inner ear or vice versa can happen.

Ear infection can also sometimes spread to temporal bones, ear bones, adjacent structures, neck etc.

At this stage where infection spreads from one part of the ear to another, or to the adjacent tissues, ignoring the ear infection is not an option.

Perforation of the Eardrum

Untreated infections in the middle or external ear can cause eardrum perforation, leading to hearing loss and a higher risk of additional infections. If the underlying cause is addressed and the eardrum heals within three months, complications are unlikely. However, if healing is delayed or incomplete, tympanoplasty—a surgical procedure to reconstruct the eardrum—may be recommended to safeguard the middle ear.

If Otomycosis, a fungal infection of the external ear, is the cause of ruptured tympanic membrane. The chances of eardrum healing naturally are reduced, often necessitating surgical intervention.

Damage to the Middle Ear Bones

Infections in the middle ear can erode the delicate bones in the middle. These bones are called ossicular chains, and they play a major role in the transmission of sound. This will lead to conductive hearing loss and will require surgical intervention to repair or we can use hearing aids to fix it.

Ear Infection Spreading to the Brain

An untreated ear infection can spread to the brain, leading to fatal conditions such as meningitis or encephalitis. This is a rare condition and generally happens when a middle ear infection is left untreated, it spreads to the inner ear and then rarely to the brain.

Damage to Nerves

1. If the infection reaches the facial nerve, it can result in facial paralysis. This may affect the ability to close the eyes and can cause further complications, such as loss of facial expression.

2. It can spread to the tongue’s nerves. This can cause problems in speech and swallowing.

3. If the infection spreads to nerves in the throat, it will cause problems in swallowing where food instead of entering the food pipe, it can go into the windpipe and reach the lungs.

Permanent Hearing Loss – Sensorineural hearing loss

While most hearing losses can be fixed, the damage done to the auditory nerve cannot be fixed either with medication, hearing aids or surgery. This generally happens in the case where the infection spreads to the inner ear. It is important to note that most infections in the ear can spread from one part to another, or else trigger a secondary infection. So, ignoring any ear infection can cause permanent hearing loss.

When to Seek Medical Attention for an Ear Infection

You should seek medical attention for an ear infection if you experience symptoms like:

• Ear pain

• A sensation of ear block or deafness

• Itching in the ear

• Tinnitus

• Foul smelled watery discharge from the ear

• Giddiness, loss of balance

• Pus from ear

These are the common symptoms reported by patients with ear infections. So, if you notice these symptoms, it can be a sign of an ear infection. The earlier you reach an ENT for diagnosis and treatment, the quicker and easier the recovery is.

Dr. K. R. Meghanadh