Which condition is an infection or inflammation of the middle ear?

Which condition is an infection or inflammation of the middle ear?

• A. Rhinitis
• B. Otitis externa
• C. Otitis media
• D. Nasal polyps

Answer: (C)

Otitis media is an infection or inflammation of the middle ear, the air-filled space just behind the eardrum. When this space becomes irritated or infected, you typically experience ear pain, possible fever, and sometimes hearing changes due to fluid buildup. This differs from other ear or nasal conditions: inflammation of the nasal mucosa is rhinitis, infection of the outer ear canal is otitis externa, and nasal polyps are non-infected growths in the nasal passages.

Otitis media is an infection or inflammation of the middle ear, the air-filled space just behind the eardrum. When this space becomes irritated or infected, you typically experience ear pain, possible fever, and sometimes hearing changes due to fluid buildup. This differs from other ear or nasal conditions: inflammation of the nasal mucosa is rhinitis, infection of the outer ear canal is otitis externa, and nasal polyps are non-infected growths in the nasal passages.