Here we talk to parents about their children’s experiences of having leaky ears. The medical term for leaky ears in children is acute otitis media with discharge.

Leaky ears may be caused by ear infections behind the ear drum. If the infection is behind the ear drum it can cause the ear drum to burst. The pus then leaks out of the ear.

For some children, leaky ears are a problem that keeps returning. It can occur with other uncomfortable symptoms and impact on the lives of the children and their parents. Treatment is usually with oral antibiotics or antibiotic eardrops.

Our researcher spoke to 4 parents and one child about the frequency of leaky ear episodes, symptoms the children experienced, and treatment.