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Treat the infection before it affects your or your child’s hearing

	ConsumerReportsHealth.org can help you find treatments for ear infection with discharge that work well.
	Subscribe to ConsumerReportsHealth.org today and find out whether medications or surgery rate best for treating ear infections with discharge.

Consumer Reports Health explains the best and most up-to-date expert research and evidence about treating ear infections with discharge. Our clear and sound advice will help you and your doctor choose the best treatment options.

Key points about ear infection with discharge

• The main symptoms of ear infection with discharge are a pus-like substance coming out of your ear, not hearing as well as you used to, and mild ear pain or discomfort.
• If you get these symptoms, it’s important to go to your doctor.
• A long-term infection in your middle ear can cause more damage than a short-term infection.
• If your child has a long-term ear infection, it could cause hearing problems and inhibit learning to speak or to understand language.
• Though rare, untreated ear infections can also lead to more serious medical conditions.

If you have an ear infection with discharge, you’ll probably first have your ear cleaned by a specialist doctor or a nurse. You’re also likely to be treated with one or more types of ear drops. Surgery may also be recommended to seal the hole in your or your child’s eardrum.

Our concise condition report and treatment ratings table will help you and your doctor decide which treatment for ear infection with discharge is right for you or your child. As a Consumer Reports Health subscriber, we'll also help you sort through the best research and the most effective treatments for over 100 conditions and illnesses that may affect you and your family.