I have read the Mayo clinic info and it says that while antibiotis are not always indicated
"Acute otitis media (AOM). Fluid in the middle ear creates an ideal environment for bacterial growth, and occasionally the fluid becomes infected. This condition is then known as acute otitis media. The pressure from the infected fluid pushes against the eardrum, causing pain. Some children have recurrent ear infections, or an infection that won't resolve. A child whose ear infections clear up only to come back again within a few weeks has recurrent otitis media. Doctors usually define this as three or more ear infections within a three- to six-month period. " and
"Still, it's important to consult your child's doctor if you think your child's hearing may be affected. "
"What's best for your child depends on many factors, including:
The diagnosis and severity of the infection
How often your child has ear infections
How long your child has had this ear infection
Your child's age
Which risk factors your child may have
Whether your child has any underlying health issues
Whether the infection affects your child's hearing. Hearing is temporarily affected with any otitis because the fluid in the middle ear impedes the vibration of the ear ossicles. "
The American Academy of Pediatrics says that providing pain relief while watching your child's symptoms for two or three days is a reasonable option for most kids over 6 months of age. If symptoms haven't improved after that time, your doctor may want to recheck your child's ears and prescribe an antibiotic at that time"
These are the type infections DD had and the Ped. said the CAN lead to hearing loss.
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