Is it safe to drive with an ear infection?

An ear infection is a viral or bacterial infection that affects the middle ear. Ear infections cause inflammation and fluid in the middle ear, making it painful. Ear infections usually go away after treatment by a doctor, but they can have long-term consequences for a person. These effects include: hearing problems, frequent infections, and fluid in the middle ear.

Some things to consider when encountering an ear infection:

• Common signs of an ear infection in adults include severe ear pain, hearing loss, and fluid from the ear. An ear infection can be caused by various medical conditions such as allergies, the flu, or even the common cold.

• The most common age group for contracting ear infections are children between the ages of six months and two years. In addition, children who attend kindergarten and babies who drink from a bottle are also at risk. If you are around children who often get ear infections, your risk also increases.

• Adults at risk are those who are regularly exposed to poor air quality, such as tobacco smoke or air pollution. Another risk factor for adults is colds and flu in autumn or winter.

• Hearing loss is a potential complication for those who develop ear infections. Mild hearing loss that comes and goes is common, according to the Mayo Clinic, but hearing should return to normal after the infection clears up.

• Some people experience dizziness with an ear infection because it is in the middle ear. If you experience dizziness, you should not drive until the ear infection has cleared up for your safety and the safety of others.

• If you experience some hearing loss during an ear infection, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), you can drive. Their website says there is no limit to hearing loss because driving requires more vision than hearing. It says outside mirrors are required, so if you're driving with a minor hearing loss due to an ear infection, make sure all your mirrors are in perfect working order.

Use caution when driving with an ear infection. If you feel dizzy and feel like you might pass out during the trip, stay at home or have someone drive you where you need to go. If you have minor hearing loss, make sure your vehicle is in good working order before driving.