Medications to relieve pain and fever may be necessary so the child can sleep. Children with draining ears should not swim and your child's ears should be plugged during bathing. Your physician or ear doctor can provide you with information about appropriate ear plugs and custom-made ear molds. Acute otitis media is generally treated with antibiotics and medications to releive congestion of the eustachian tube. The eardrum usually heals within a week.
Many parents are concerned about permanent hearing loss.
If medications are taken as directed, the chances of permanent hearing loss are minimal. Only a physician can diagnose the exact cause of the discomfort and offer specific therapy.