However, the longer an infection continues or the more often they happen the more likely permanent damage is. Hearing is usually somewhat compromised during an ear infection. This includes the ear drum and the small bones in the middle ear. Ear infections are often associated with a cold or allergy that might make more mucus in the middle ear. Ear infections are not contagious, but the often associated cold can be passed from one child to another.
Some children are prone to ear infections.
Other people may go a life time without an ear infection. Ear infections are not made worse by wood heat or being in the cold or getting wet feet. Getting very tired and having irregular sleep, a poor diet and having a cold or respiratory allergy may make ear infections more likely. This is the kind of infection most commonly associated with pain in the ear. Recurrent Otitis Media - is acute otitis happening several times with resolution of the infection each time.