H66: Suppurative and unspecified otitis media

H66.0: Acute suppurative otitis media

The ear is a sensory organ that is used to hear and to maintain one’s balance. There are 3 different areas in the ear: the outer ear, middle ear and inner ear. The middle ear begins behind the eardrum. It consists of the air-filled tympanic cavity and the 3 ossicles. The ossicles transmit sounds from the eardrum to the inner ear in the form of vibrations.

When your middle ear is inflamed, the ear might be very painful. Your hearing may get worse, or you might hear annoying ambient noise. You might also have headaches and a high temperature. You may feel very weak and sick. Fluid may also be discharged from the ear. The fluid is probably purulent.