Causes and Diagnoses

Causes and Diagnoses of Otitis Externa

Otitis media, also known as swimmer’s ear, is caused by anything that creates a warm, moist environment in the outer ear canal where bacteria and viruses can grow.

Common causes of otitis media include:

• Vigorous cleaning that removes the cerumen (waxy lining of the ear)
• Excessive ear wax
• Water or moisture in your ear from:
  • Swimming
  • Sweating
  • Humid environment
• Excessive wearing of:
  • Ear plugs
  • Poorly fitting hearing aids
  • Ear buds
  • Swim caps
• Allergies to hair products
• Cut or injury to the ear canal
• Eczema or other skin conditions

Diagnosing otitis externa

Your physician will ask about your symptoms and use an otoscope, a lighted device for viewing the inside of the ears, to determine if there is an infection. If pus is draining from your ear, a sample will be taken for study under a microscope to determine which microbe is causing the infection.