What is ear fluid?
Ear fluid is a mucous-like liquid that collects behind the eardrum, in the middle ear. Inner ear fluid buildup occurs mostly in early childhood, and according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, three out of four children have had an ear infection by the age of three. Middle ear fluid will often lead to an ear infection if it is left untreated. You can tell if fluid has built up behind the ear due to difficulty hearing, a red or swollen ear, pain in the ear, and the appearance of a bulging eardrum. Fluid buildup in the ear often also occurs alongside a cold or a fever. What Causes Ear Fluid? Fluid in the middle ear is often a cause of a cold, flu, or other illness. As a result of viral infections in particular, the lining of the middle ear will become swollen, allowing the fluid to build up. When the nose is congested, fluid can build up in the middle ear due to the eustachian tube, which connects the nose to the ear, becoming swollen or blocked ent
