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Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staffMajor risk factors for middle ear infections in children include:
- Age. Children between ages 6 and 18 months are the most susceptible to ear infections, although ear infections are common from ages 4 months to 4 years.
- Group child care. Children cared for in group settings are more likely to get colds and ear infections than are children who stay home, because they're exposed to more viruses causing colds, which may then cause or complicate an ear infection.
- Feeding position. Babies who drink from a bottle while lying down tend to have more ear infections than do babies who are held upright during feedings.
Both children and adults are affected by these risk factors:
- Season. Ear infections are most common during the fall and winter. Sometimes, seasonal allergies may also congest your sinuses, making you or your child more likely to develop a middle ear infection.
- Reduced air quality. Children exposed to tobacco smoke or higher levels of air pollution are at higher risk of ear infections.
- Family history. Your child's risk of ear infections increases if another member of the family has had ear infections.
- Race. American Indians and Inuits from Alaska or Canada tend to have more ear infections.
