Middle ear fluid, or serous otitis media, is a build up of fluid behind the eardrum. Symptoms for middle ear fluid include hearing loss and/or pressure or pain in the ear. This condition is quite common in children and occasionally seen in adults. It is often accompanied with an upper respiratory infection that causes a small tube that runs from the back of the throat to the ear to swell up and not allow the ear to drain the fluid. Treatment options include medication and surgery.

The major functions of the ear are hearing and helping to maintain our balance. If fluid fills a middle ear, our balance may be "off". This may be especially apparent in a young child who is just learning to walk. Hearing is affected by fluid in the middle ear because the fluid deadens the transmission of sound through the ear. This is similar to what we experience when there's water in our outer ears after swimming, although in that case water is on the outside of the eardrum. See similar questions...

The middle ear is about the size of a pea and filled with air. The middle ear is seperated from the outer ear by the eardrum (which is paper-thin). The middle ear acts as a vibration "chamber" for the three tiny ear bones attached to the eardrum. The vibrations and motions of the bones (sounds you hear) are transmitted through the middle ear to the inner ear where they are converted to electrical signals and sent to the brain. See similar questions...

Antibiotics are the first line of defense against ear infections. Different germs are killed by different antibiotics, some being more difficult to kill than others. Since we cannot easily take cultures of the infection behind the eardrum, it may be necessary to use more that one antibiotic before finally obtaining an uninfected ear. Occasionally no antibiotic seems to work. When this happens it becomes necessary to puncture the eardrum to let the infection out before a complication occurs. See similar questions...

We use glycerin, FDA approved. This food additive is found in many recipes, the most common being frosting (or icing) on cakes. It is also used in some skin creams, makeup and lipstick. Others use animal-based Glycerin or water combinations. See similar questions...

The middle ear is the small part of your ear just inside your eardrum. It gets infected when germs from a cold are trapped there. See similar questions...

Your doctor will talk to you about your child's symptoms. Then he or she will look into your child's ears. A special tool with a light lets the doctor see the eardrum and tell whether there is fluid behind it. This exam can be uncomfortable. It bothers some children more than others. See similar questions...

Under normal use, and proper maintenance, you should never have to change the solution. That is one of the biggest advantages of the SmartWasher. Ozzy cleans the solution of contaminants, leaving you clean solution to work with. Hydrocarbon materials are bioremediated in the SmartWasher so your "used" solution does not need to be hauled away as hazardous waste. See similar questions...

The middle ear is filled with air that travels through the eustachian tube to the back of the nose. The eustachian tube equalizes middle ear pressure and helps drain fluids in the ear. In babies and toddlers, the eustachian tube is shorter, narrower, and less rigid than in an adult, so that when the child has a cold, germs can more easily pass from the back of the nose and throat into the middle ear. See similar questions...

During 1990, an estimated 24.5 million visits were made to office-based physicians in the United States at which the principal diagnosis was a middle ear infection, or otitis media. Xylitol acts by suppressing the growth of the nasopharyngeal bacteria responsible. Well-controlled studies in children demonstrate that using xylitol sweetened chewing gum reduces or prevents the recurrence of Acute Otitis Media or AOM (17). See similar questions...

The Omron Instant Ear Thermometer is less threatening to a child than a rectal thermometer. It's faster, safer and easier to use than an oral thermometer. Measurements can even be taken while a child is sleeping. For adults, the Omron Instant Ear Thermometer offers fast convenient, accurate readings without the wait of a conventional thermometer. A fever is when the body's temperature is higher than normal due to an infection. The fever is usually caused by a virus or bacteria. See similar questions...

Ear wax (cerumen) is normal in healthy ears. The purpose of cerumen is to moisturize and protect the skin of the ear canal and to trap dust and particles before they reach the ear drum. Cerumen is formed in the outer part of the ear canal. Normally, wax makes its way to the outer opening of the ear canal, flakes up, and falls out. See similar questions...

Most of the time, otitis media clears up with proper medication and home treatment. In many cases, however, further treatment may be recommended by your physician. An operation, called a myringotomy may be recommended. This involves a small surgical incision (opening) into the eardrum to promote drainage of fluid and to relieve pain. The incision heals within a few days with practically no scarring or injury to the eardrum. See similar questions...

Glue ear' is a condition which arises when a young child's inner ear become blocked through colds, 'flu or ear infections. It is also known as 'conductive hearing loss'. 'Glue ear' is the main cause of acquired dyslexia, as a child is not able to hear spoken speech clearly enough to distinguish the separate sounds which make up each word. It is essential at an early age for the brain to be able to hear the separate parts of each word and to learn to recognize these sounds. See similar questions...

Some people have more wax then others. Earwax is okay unless it blocks the ear canal and causes a hearing loss. We do not recommend cleaning your ears at home. It is wise to see a physician for ear cleaning. See similar questions...

Ear Candling is an ancient natural therapy that has been used traditionally by the Egyptians, Chinese, Indians & Tibetans for over 3000 years. Typically, ear candles were placed in the outer ear then ignited to produce smoke & warmth that enters the ear canal, bringing spiritual energy & soothing herbal essences into the ear. Their historic roots can be traced back to the Indians of North & South America. See similar questions...

The mainstay of pain management for AOM is medications such as acetominophen and ibuprofen, not antibiotics. Most children with AOM have significant ear pain, which may manifest in young children as ear rubbing, sleep disruption, or temper tantrums. Analgesics are most important in the first 24 hours after diagnosis, especially before the child’s bedtime. Fortunately, by 24 hours about 60 percent of children feel better, rising to 80-90 percent within a few days. See similar questions...

It's never been mentioned on the show, but Craig Bartlett says it's Geraldine. (The name refers to Geraldine Laybourne, who was a Nickelodeon executive at one time and was one of the founders (as was Oprah Winfrey) of the Oxygen network. See similar questions...