Acute otitis media is a painful infection that affects the middle ear. Rarely, it can evolve into mastoiditis. It is often preceded by an upper respiratory tract infection. Symptoms include ear pain, hearing loss, blockage and discharge.

Otitis externa is an infection of the external ear canal. It often starts with damage to the ear can skin, from trauma or due to skin conditions like dermatitis or after exposure to water. Symptoms of otitis externa include itch, pain, discharge, blockage, and hearing loss.