Ear Drainage in Adults: Causes, Diagnosis & Treatment

Ear drainage or otorrhea in adults is not as common as it is in children. Otorrhea in adults is typically secondary to trauma.

Ear Drainage Diagnosis

• There are three separate diagnosis for ear drainage (otorrhea): purulent otorrhea, non-purulent otorrhea, and bloody otorrhea.

Purulent Otorrhea

• Purulent otorrhea or ear drainage includes conditions such as acute suppurative otitis media, chronic suppurative otitis media, and malignant otitis.

Non-Purulent Otorrhea

• Non-purulent otorrhea or ear drainage includes conditions such as swimmer̵7;s ear, CNS fluid leakage, and invasive otitis externa.

Bloody Otorrhea

• Bloody otorrhea or ear drainage is a result of trauma to the external canal, middle ear, barotrauma, and foreign body.

Physical Exam

• A person should get a physical examination to determine the cause of the ear drainage. The physical exam should include inspection of the external ear and canal, inspection of the tympanic membrane, and a neurological exam if patient is complaining of headache or has a history of trauma.