Ghatkopar (East), Mumbai)
Ear Infection — Otitis Media
A sharp earache, muffled hearing, or a feverish child pulling at their ears, ear infections can strike quickly and, when repeated, leave lasting damage to hearing if not treated properly. Otitis media is the most common reason children visit an ENT specialist, but it affects adults too.
At Shree Hospitals, our team provides expert ear infection treatment in Mumbai, addressing everything from acute flare-ups to chronic perforations all under one roof.
(24×7 Emergency Care)
Our Approach
(24×7 Emergency Care)
Our approach In Managing Ear Infections (Otitis Media)
Because every ear tells a different story.
Otitis media isn't one condition it's a spectrum. Acute infections, chronic fluid build-up, perforations, and cholesteatoma each require a tailored strategy. Our ENT team takes time to properly classify and treat each case.
- Detailed Ear Examination & Diagnosis
A precise diagnosis is the cornerstone of effective treatment:
- Otoscopy and video otoscopy to assess eardrum condition
- Tympanometry to evaluate middle ear pressure and fluid
- Pure tone audiometry (PTA) to quantify any hearing impact
- High-resolution CT of temporal bone when structural complications are suspected
- Acute Otitis Media — Immediate Management
For sudden onset ear infection presenting with pain, fever, and ear fullness:
- Oral antibiotic therapy tailored to age and severity
- Analgesic drops and systemic pain relief
- Nasal decongestants to open Eustachian tube drainage
- Close monitoring at 48–72 hours to confirm clinical improvement
- Otitis Media with Effusion (Glue Ear)
Fluid in ear that persists beyond 3 months causes significant hearing impairment, especially in children:
- Watchful waiting protocol for mild, recent-onset cases
- Nasal steroid sprays and autoinflation techniques to promote drainage
- Formal audiological evaluation to assess impact on speech development
- Referral for grommet insertion if fluid persists beyond 3 months with hearing loss
- Grommet Insertion (Tympanostomy Tube)
A tiny ventilation tube placed in the eardrum to drain fluid and restore hearing in glue ear:
- Day-care procedure performed under general anaesthesia (children) or local (adults)
- Immediate improvement in hearing following tube placement
- Tubes self-extrude naturally over 6–12 months
- Monitoring for tube function and eardrum healing at follow-up visits
- Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media (CSOM) — Ear Drum Perforation
A persistent hole in the eardrum with recurrent discharge requires structured surgical management. Our chronic ear infection treatment Mumbai protocols include:
- Aural toilet and topical antibiotic drops to control active infection
- Myringoplasty (eardrum repair) using temporalis fascia graft
- Ossiculoplasty if the hearing bones (ossicles) are damaged
- Post-operative audiological testing to assess hearing gain
- Cholesteatoma Management
An abnormal skin growth in the middle ear that erodes bone if left untreated:
- CT imaging to assess extent of erosion and involvement of critical structures
- Mastoidectomy surgery (Canal Wall Down or Canal Wall Up) to eradicate disease
- Staged surgery approach if residual disease risk is high
- Annual follow-up otoscopy and MRI for recurrence surveillance
- Rehabilitation & Hearing Restoration
For patients with permanent ear pain and hearing difficulty or hearing loss following recurrent infections:
- Hearing aid fitting following audiological assessment
- Bone-anchored hearing aid (BAHA) for suitable candidates
- Speech and language therapy referral for children with developmental delay
- Long-term ENT surveillance plan to protect remaining hearing
Happy Patients & Their Case Stories
"My son had fluid in his ears for almost a year. After grommets were placed at Shree Hospitals, his hearing and speech improved almost overnight."
Mr. Nisha P
"I had a perforated eardrum with recurrent discharge for years. The myringoplasty here was done with such precision no more infections, and my hearing has come back."
Mr. Suresh K.
How to Identify Ear Infections?
Signs differ between children and adults. Know what to look for:
In Children:
- Pulling or tugging at one or both ears persistently
- Crying more than usual, especially when lying flat
- Difficulty hearing or responding to sounds
- Fever, irritability, and disturbed sleep
- Fluid or discharge draining from the ear canal
In Adults:
- Ear pain that ranges from dull ache to sharp, throbbing discomfort
- Sensation of fullness or pressure inside the ear
- Muffled hearing or temporary hearing reduction
- Discharge from the ear — clear, yellow, or blood-tinged
- Dizziness or balance disturbance in severe cases
Recurring infections, particularly in children, should never be dismissed as routine. Untreated middle ear inflammation can cause permanent hearing damage.
Important FAQs: Ear Infection— Otitis Media
How do I know if my child has an ear infection?
Key signs in young children include ear tugging, unexplained crying (especially at night or when lying down), fever, poor feeding, and disturbed sleep. Older children may complain of earache, muffled hearing, or a blocked sensation. A formal ear examination is needed to confirm the diagnosis.
Are ear infections in children dangerous?
Most acute ear infections resolve with timely treatment and cause no lasting harm. However, recurrent or untreated infections can lead to fluid in ear, hearing impairment, eardrum perforation, and in rare cases, spread of infection to the mastoid bone or inner ear. Early treatment significantly reduces these risks.
What is an otitis media specialist in Mumbai India, and when should I see one?
An otitis media specialist in Mumbai India is an ENT surgeon with expertise in diagnosing and treating middle ear diseases from acute infections to cholesteatoma. You should seek specialist care if your child has 3+ infections in 6 months, if discharge or hearing loss accompanies the infection, or if standard antibiotic therapy has not resolved the problem.
Do ear infections always need antibiotics?
Not always. Mild cases in older children and adults may be managed with watchful waiting, pain relief, and nasal decongestants. However, infants under 2 years, severe cases with high fever, or infections that worsen after 48 hours typically require antibiotic therapy. Your specialist will decide based on clinical assessment.
Can a perforated eardrum heal on its own?
Small perforations often heal spontaneously within 6–8 weeks if the ear is kept dry and infection is controlled. Larger perforations, or those with persistent discharge, are unlikely to close without surgical intervention. Myringoplasty, eardrum repair is a safe and effective procedure with high success rates at Shree Hospitals.
Treatments for Ear Infections at Shree Hospitals
A sharp earache, muffled hearing, or a feverish child pulling at their ears. Ear infections can strike quickly and, when repeated, leave lasting damage to hearing if not treated properly. Otitis media is the most common reason children visit an ENT specialist, but it affects adults too. At Shree Hospitals, our team provides expert ear infection treatment in Mumbai, addressing everything from acute flare-ups to chronic perforations all under one roof.
Top ENT Specialists in Mumbai
Dr. Kaustubh Sarvade
ENT / Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck
Dr. Sunil Tanvar
ENT & Rhinoplasty Surgery, Head & Neck Surgery
Dr. Kaushal G. Sheth
Consultant ENT & Head Neck Surgeon
Dr. Ritu K. Sheth
ENT and Head-Neck Oncosurgeon
Board-certified Surgeons and Specialists with an average of 15+ years of experience in their areas of expertise.
For Appointment/Query
1800-268-4000
Tele consultation/2nd Opinion
Schedule Consultation
News & Updates
Shree Hospitals is the first to perform robotic endo surgery.
Shree Hospitals Introduces Advanced Robotic Surgery for Better Patient Care
Shree Hospitals Expands Advanced Surgical Care With Latest Medical Technology
