otitis media
an inflammation or infection of the middle ear commonly associated with sinusitis, upper respiratory infections, or allergies. It can result in a conductive hearing loss (see conduction deafness) that generally resolves with symptom treatment. Acute otitis media is common in young children, resulting from viral or bacterial infection. In serous otitis media, a thick fluid fills the middle ear. In adhesive otitis media, permanent adhesions develop in the middle ear due to the continued presence of fluid after the infection itself has been controlled. These adhesions can damage the ossicles.