: inflammation of the middle ear marked especially by pain, fever, dizziness, and abnormalities in hearing
especially
: acute otitis media
Examples of otitis media in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
While there are six different types of ear infections, the most common is otitis media, a middle ear infection.
—
Sherri Gordon, Health, 30 Dec. 2024
The more microorganisms and moisture in your ear, the greater the risk for an infection, research suggests, including otitis media (an infection in the middle ear behind the eardrum) or otitis externa (an infection in the outer ear canal).
—Julia Ries, SELF, 27 July 2023
Upper respiratory viral infections or bacterial infections from the sinuses can also cause middle ear infections, called otitis media, according to Stewart.
—Sudiksha Kochi, USA TODAY, 6 Jan. 2022
The reason for this is that most cases of otitis media get better on their own as the body’s immune system fights off the infection, which is usually caused by an upper respiratory virus.
—Michael Daignault, USA TODAY, 28 Oct. 2021
In adults, these complications are lower respiratory illnesses such as pneumonia and in children, otitis media or middle ear infections.
—Arnold Monto, Philly.com, 24 Jan. 2018
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Sherri Gordon, Health, 30 Dec. 2024
The more microorganisms and moisture in your ear, the greater the risk for an infection, research suggests, including otitis media (an infection in the middle ear behind the eardrum) or otitis externa (an infection in the outer ear canal).
—Julia Ries, SELF, 27 July 2023
Upper respiratory viral infections or bacterial infections from the sinuses can also cause middle ear infections, called otitis media, according to Stewart.
—Sudiksha Kochi, USA TODAY, 6 Jan. 2022
The reason for this is that most cases of otitis media get better on their own as the body’s immune system fights off the infection, which is usually caused by an upper respiratory virus.
—Michael Daignault, USA TODAY, 28 Oct. 2021
In adults, these complications are lower respiratory illnesses such as pneumonia and in children, otitis media or middle ear infections.
—Arnold Monto, Philly.com, 24 Jan. 2018
Cite this Entry
“Otitis media.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/otitis%20media. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
otitis media
noun
otitis me·dia
-ˈmēd-ē-ə 
: inflammation of the middle ear marked by pain, fever, dizziness, and abnormalities of hearing
especially
: acute otitis media see aero-otitis media, serous otitis media
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