The most common cause of hearing loss in children is middle ear infection (otitis media). This is an infection in the space behind the eardrum and usually stems from a cold-related complication. It can occur in one or both ears. Most ear infections are due to viruses that are sometimes secondarily infected by bacteria. They can usually be treated without the aid of antibiotics.
Middle ear infection can cause earache, which is due to reduced pressure within the middle ear from a blocked eustachian tube (tubes which drain the ears into the back of the throat) or from inflammation of the middle ear tissues. It may impair learning capacity and sometimes delay speech development. However, if the infection is managed effectively, hearing can almost always be restored to normal.
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