Years of chronic otitis media have caused a perforated eardrum and hearing loss.

Patient's question:

intermittent chronic otitis media, eardrum has perforated, hearing loss, onset in childhood, comes and goes, prone to recurrence when having a "hot" constitution

Doctor's answer:

Chronic otitis media infections recur slowly but are highly destructive, capable of causing permanent damage. Therefore, early detection and prompt treatment are crucial. ★ Keep the ear dry and clean, using cotton swabs to remove secretions from the ear. Chronic middle ear infections are often the result of untreated ear infections during childhood. This infection may never have been completely eradicated, leaving some infectious organisms lingering in the ear; or the infection may have been difficult to fully clear, leaving a vulnerable site prone to reinfection. Chronic infections continuously produce pus, eventually leading to a perforation in the eardrum and often causing damage or destruction to the small bones in the middle ear. There is another type of chronic otitis media called cholesteatoma, which can lead to facial paralysis or even brain infection.
Medical Advice:
1. If water enters the ear during bathing or swimming, it may easily breed bacteria. If water gets in, you can use a cotton swab to clean it, but avoid inserting it too deeply.
2. People who have had middle ear infections in the past are prone to recurrence. Avoid catching colds and seek qualified medical treatment if you develop a cold or middle ear infection.
3. If someone in the household smokes, paints, or burns incense, ensure good ventilation. This helps prevent irritation to the upper respiratory tract, which could cause swelling.
Lifestyle Care:
Seek medical attention at the hospital. The doctor will clean the affected ear thoroughly and prescribe antibiotics (pills or drops) to the patient. This treatment aims to reduce infection, keep the ear dry, and prevent residual secretions from accumulating. The course of treatment lasts three months. The doctor may examine your ear with an otoscope and take X-rays of your head to determine if the infection has spread to the mastoid region. Only then can the doctor decide whether you need a mastoidectomy.