Most otitis media affects hearing, resulting in moderate to mild hearing loss, which can lead to conductive deafness in the short term and mixed deafness in the long term. Acute otitis media and secretory otitis media – hearing killers in children Acute otitis media and secretory otitis media can lead to thickening of the eardrum and accumulation of fluid in the middle ear, which, if not treated effectively, can lead to restricted movement of the middle ear auditory chain and conductive deafness. Generally speaking, according to evidence from evidence from evidence-based medicine, most children’s middle ear effusion will subside after three months from the onset of the disease, but in a small percentage of children the effusion does not subside and the mucus-like effusion in the middle ear becomes jelly-like, thus affecting hearing. How to deal with and prevent middle ear effusion 1. The cause of middle ear effusion should be clarified. Unilateral middle ear effusion in adults requires nasopharyngoscopy to rule out nasopharyngeal tumors, and ear pain should be clarified to determine whether there is hyperplasia. 2. For children, upper respiratory tract infection and adenoid hypertrophy are the main causes. 3. Studies have shown that second-hand smoke is a high-risk factor, so parents must give their children an environment free of second-hand smoke; it is a great responsibility, and prevention is always more important than cure. Chronic otitis media can affect hearing and how to deal with it 1. Chronic otitis media often leads to perforation of the eardrum or restricted activity of the auditory chain, which can also lead to conductive or mixed deafness, and surgery can be considered if conditions allow. 2. For those who are too old or whose general condition does not tolerate surgery, hearing aids can be considered after controlling the inflammation.