After an upper respiratory tract infection, an episode of acute otitis media (AOM), an airplane flight, or during a bout of allergies, an adult may complain of a feeling of fullness in the ears, an inability to equalize middle-ear pressure, decreased hearing, and a clicking, popping, or crackling sound, especially when moving the head. There is little pain or tenderness. Otitis media with effusion (OME) is usually asymptomatic in children, except for tugging at the ears or signs of decreased hearing (lack of attention, talking too loud, sitting nearer to the television set). This often does not require treatment, only follow-up and observation.

 

autoinflation

clicking or popping sounds

ear congestion

Ear effusion

glue ear

hearing loss

lack of attention

otitis media with effusion

rhinitis medicamentosa

secretory otitis media