Acute otitis media (AOM) is a painful type of ear infection. It occurs when the area behind the eardrum called the middle ear becomes inflamed and infected. Symptoms might include ear ache, pain, headache, feeling of fullness in ear, fluid drainage and fever. The condition might be caused due to allergies, flu, sinus infection, ciggarette smoke and etc. Its diagnosed through use of otoscope which visualizes redness, swelling, pus, fluid and perforation. A hearing test might also be performed. AOM is treated through OTC ear drops for pain relief, oral medication like ibuprofin and antibiotics.