- Ear diseases can affect the external ear, middle ear, or inner ear. Common diseases include otitis media (middle ear infection), otosclerosis (middle ear bone abnormality), Meniere's disease (inner ear disorder), and deafness.
- Trauma to the external ear is common and can cause hematomas, lacerations, or fractures. Cellulitis and infections like swimmer's ear can also affect the external ear.
- Otitis media is inflammation of the middle ear that can be acute or chronic. It often starts as a viral upper respiratory infection and can become bacterial. Symptoms include ear pain and hearing loss. Treatment involves antibiotics and sometimes surgery.