The difference between otitis externa and otitis media can be identified in terms of the site of inflammation, the cause, the symptoms and the effect on hearing. 1. Different parts: otitis externa occurs in the external ear canal. Otitis media is an inflammatory disease involving all or part of the structures of the middle ear (including the eustachian tube, the tympanic chamber, the tympanic sinus and the mastoid airspace), which is more common in children. 2. Causes: Inflammation of the outer ear canal is mostly caused by bacterial, fungal or viral infections, which can be triggered by water ingress and trauma. Inflammation of the middle ear is usually caused by bacterial infection or dysfunction of the Eustachian tube. 3. Symptoms are different: otitis externa can have pain in the ear, itching, etc.; otitis media can have pus, hearing loss, earache, tinnitus, ear stuffiness and other symptoms. 4. From the impact of inflammation on hearing: otitis externa has a small impact on hearing, but otitis media leads to hearing loss will be more obvious. If you suffer from otitis externa or otitis media, you should go to the regular hospital in time, under the guidance of the doctor for treatment.