Risk Factors for Middle Ear Infections
by Alayne Ronnenberg, ScD
A risk factor is something that increases your chance of an illness.
It is possible to get an ear infection without the risks below. The more risks you have, the better the chance of getting an ear infection. Talk to your doctor about ways to lower your risk.
Ear infections are common in children. It is much more common in children age 6 months to 6 years than adults.
Ear infections are often linked to viruses like colds. These types of viruses spread quickly in places where people gather, especially children. Kids who go to daycare or nursery school have a higher risk of ear infections.
Exposure to Cigarette Smoke
Cigarette smoke can irritate airways. This can increase the risk of infections of airways. This can increase the risk of infections in ears. This holds true for smokers and children who live with smokers.
Children who live in polluted areas have a higher rate of ear infections.
Ear infections are most common during the fall and winter.
Other Health Issues
The risk of ear infections may be higher for people with health issues such as:
Ear infections may run in families. A child may have a higher risk of ear infections if older brothers or sisters had them.
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Acute otitis media (AOM) in Children. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dyname.... Updated September 4, 2019. Accessed December 5, 2019.
Ear infections in children. National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Updated May 12, 2017. Accessed December 5, 2019.
Lieberthal AS, Carroll AE, Chonmaitree T, et al. The diagnosis and management of acute otitis media. Pediatrics. 2013 Mar;131(3):e964-99
Middle ear infections. Healthy Children—American Academy of Pediatrics website. Available at: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/ear-nose-throat/Pages/Middle-Ear-Infections.aspx. Updated February 22, 2013. Accessed December 5, 2019.
Last reviewed September 2019 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Marcie L. Sidman, MD
Last Updated: 12/5/2019
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