EarCheck: Ear Infection Detection
  Contributed by: Dustin Hothan, Pharm.D. Candidate
                        KU School of Pharmacy

Seventy-five percent of children experience at least one episode of otitis media by the time they are three years old, and almost half of these children will have three or more ear infections during this period. Otitis media is primarily a disease of infants and young children, but can also affect adults.

What is an ear infection (otitis media)?
Infection or inflammation of the middle ear is referred to as otitis media. Infections that cause sore throats, colds, or other respiratory or breathing problems and spread to the middle ear are often the source of this inflammation. These can be viral or bacterial infections. 

Why are children primarily affected?
Several reasons exist that may explain why a child is more likely to suffer an ear infection over an adult. First of all, a child's immune system is still under development and is unable to fight the infection as effectively. Secondly, the eustachian tube of a child is shorter and straighter than that of an adult. The eustachian tube is a small passageway that connects the upper part of the throat to the middle ear. The orientation of a child's eustachian tube allows infected fluids from the back of the nose to reach the middle ear more easily.

What are the effects of otitis media?
As fluid accumulates in the middle ear and the infection worsens, hearing becomes impaired and severe ear pain can develop. Too much fluid in the ear can put pressure on the eardrum and eventually tear it, and lead to permanent hearing impairment. An untreated infection can travel from the middle ear to nearby parts of the head and brain.

How do I tell if a child has otitis media?
Common signs to look for include: unusual irritability, difficulty sleeping, tugging or pulling at one or both ears, fever, fluid draining from the ear, loss of balance, unresponsiveness to quiet sounds or other signs of hearing difficulty such as sitting too close to the T.V. or being inattentive.

A new tool for detecting otitis media that has recently become available is the EarCheck middle ear monitor. This monitor accurately detects the presence of middle ear fluid, which may be indicative of acute ear infection. This technology uses sound waves (acoustic reflectometry) to detect the probability of middle ear fluid. The tip of the handheld device is placed into child's outer ear and a pleasant chirping sound is sent into the ear canal. Some of this sound bounces off the eardrum and travels back to the instrument's processor.

The reflected sound is then analyzed and the results displayed on a 1-5 color scale. Levels 3-5 (Red) would indicate a high likelihood of fluid and suggest you consult your child's doctor.

So why should I get this monitor?
The EarCheck helps to monitor the progression of an infection, and determine if treatment is effective. Additionally, it helps parents and doctors alike to determine if antibiotic treatment is necessary, which can lead to a reduction of antibiotic over-prescribing. This helps reduce the chances of antibiotic resistance from developing, and may keep future ear infections from being harder to treat. All in all, it's a fast, easy, and safe way to aid in keeping your loved ones healthy.

For additional information talk with your pharmacist or physician or visit www.earcheck.com.

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