Otitis media can occur as a result of a cold, sore throat, or respiratory infection. Nearly half of these children have three or more episodes by the time they are 3 years of age. Otitis media can also affect adults, although it is primarily a condition that occurs in children. About 30 million visits to the pediatrician each year are due to otitis media. Otitis media occurs most often in children younger than 7 years of age and even more frequently in children between the ages of 6 months and 3 years.
Otitis media is more common in boys than girls.
Otitis media occurs more often in the winter and early spring . Middle ear infections are usually a result of a malfunction of the eustachian tube, a canal that links the middle ear with the throat area. The eustachian tube helps to equalize the pressure between the outer ear and the middle ear. When this tube is not working properly, it prevents normal drainage of fluid from the middle ear, causing a build up of fluid behind the eardrum. When this fluid cannot drain, it allows for the growth of bacteria and viruses in the ear that can lead to acute otitis media.