Introduction
Otitis media, commonly called an ear infection, is an inflammation of the middle ear. This can occur as acute otitis media (AOM) or otitis media with effusion (OME). These infections are “caused by bacteria and often begin after a child has a sore throat, cold, or other upper respiratory infection…Because of the infection, fluid builds up behind the eardrum” (Ear Infections in Children, 2014). “Fluid may build up in the middle ear for several reasons.… Sometimes the fluid becomes infected, leading to AOM. After an episode of AOM has been treated with antibiotics or has resolved on its own, fluid may remain in the middle ear and may take a month or longer to go away” (Get Smart: Otitis Media, 2013). The National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) defines AOM as a condition in which “parts of the middle ear are infected and swollen and fluid is trapped behind the eardrum. This causes pain in the ear—commonly called an earache” (Ear infections in Children, 2014). The same article defines OME as a condition that “sometimes happens after an ear infection has …show more content…
In evaluating the impacts of a problem like otitis media on children’s ability to learn, it is important to also briefly evaluate what can be done to help these children overcome the difficulties that result from their infection. “Classroom amplification has been clearly shown to reduce the impact of hearing, listening, and attention deficits in the classroom, irrespective of [etiology]. Research has shown that… amplification is most effective when combined with analysis and modification of classroom acoustics” (Williams & Jacobs, 2009). Children should work with an audiologist to determine the best amplification available, and should be provided with the most effective means to help them overcome their listening and attention difficulties so they can learn along with their