What is Chronic Otitis Media?
Chronic Otitis Media (COM) is the term used to describe a variety of signs, symptoms, and physical findings that result from the long-term damage to the middle ear by infection an inflammation. This includes the following: • Severe retraction or perforation of the eardrum (a hole in the eardrum) • Scarring or erosion of the small, sound conducting bones of the middle ear • Chronic or recurring drainage from the ear • Inflammation causing erosion of the bony cover or the facial nerve, balance canals, or cochlea (hearing organ) • Erosion of the bony borders of the middle ear or mastoid, resulting in infection spreading to the meninges (the coverings of the brain) or brain • Presence of cholesteatoma • Persistence of fluid behind an intact eardrum top How Does Chronic Otitis Media Occur? If the eustachian tube becomes blocked by swelling or congestion in the nose and throat, by swelling of the mucous membrane in the middle ear, or by swelling of the mucous membrane of the eustachian tube
