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Help for a common and painful condition affecting children

	Ear infections hurt and may prevent your child from hearing properly. Though many ear infections clear up on their own, treatments are available to reduce pain or resolve the infection if it doesn’t clear up. ConsumerReportsHealth.org can help you find treatments for ear infections that work well.
	Subscribe to ConsumerReportsHealth.org today and find out whether medication or surgery rates best for treating you child's ear infections.

If your child is diagnosed with an ear infection, you're not alone. Consumer Reports Health can help with the best research about ear infections, and expert evidence and advice about how to treat them.

Key points for parents about ear infections

• Ear infections are very common, especially in children under six years old.
• These infections hurt and can stop your child from hearing properly.
• Most children (4 out of 5) feel better without any treatment after about three days.
• You can help ease your child's ear pain with a painkiller such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen.
• Your child may need antibiotics. These can help clear up the infection, but they have side effects.

Each year in the United States, more than 25 million visits to the doctor are related to ear infections. Most ear infections happen to children between the ages of 6 months and 18 months. While anyone can get an ear infection, children are more likely to get them than adults because of the structure of a child’s developing ears as well as other risk factors.

Recommended treatments for ear infections depend upon the severity and frequency your child experiences them. We encourage you to read our entire condition report and to consult with your child’s doctor to learn more about their ear infection. As a Consumer Reports Health subscriber, you’ll have access to our expert research and recommendations, and you’ll be more confident and knowledgeable about which treatments are best for your child.