Ear Infection Treatment in Charlotte

At OneSpotMD’s Steele Creek and Plaza Midwood clinics, 7 days a week: Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm, and Saturday and Sunday 9am to 5pm. Walk in, or book ahead to plan your visit. Wait times vary.

Yes. A provider examines your ear, assesses the cause and recommends treatment or referral when needed.

Yes. We see adults and kids for ear pain and ear infections.

No. You can walk in at either clinic or book ahead with Save my spot. Wait times vary.

Your insurance share depends on your plan and services. With most NC Medicaid plans, covered-visit copays are usually $0 or $4; confirm with your plan. Self-pay visits start at $140, plus tests and treatments.

Yes. We are in network with most NC Medicaid plans. Confirm your specific plan and coverage before your visit.

Not always. After examination, a clinician may recommend 48-72 hours of observation with reliable follow-up for selected mild middle ear infections in children. Age, severity, drainage and whether one or both ears are affected matter. Other cases need prompt antibiotics. Do not delay assessment for a young infant or anyone who seems very ill.

Amoxicillin is often a first choice when a middle ear infection needs antibiotics. The provider considers age, allergies, recent antibiotics, associated symptoms and the examination before choosing treatment.

Usually with prescription ear drops and keeping the ear dry. Tell the provider about ear tubes, prior ear surgery or a possible eardrum tear because not all drops are safe. Seek reassessment if symptoms worsen or do not improve within 48-72 hours.

Swimmer’s ear is an infection of the ear canal, and it hurts when you touch or tug your ear. A middle ear infection is behind the eardrum and often follows a cold.

Symptoms often start improving within a few days, but timing varies. Seek reassessment for worsening symptoms or no improvement within 48-72 hours of the recommended plan. Fluid can remain for weeks; persistent hearing problems need follow-up.

No. Ear infections don’t spread from person to person, but the cold or flu that often comes before them can.

Yes. Swelling from a cold or sinus infection can block the tubes that drain your ears, which can lead to an ear infection.

Ear pain can come from your sinuses, throat, teeth or jaw. The provider checks these areas to find the cause.

Watch for tugging at the ear, crying or fussiness, trouble sleeping, fever, not eating as well, or fluid draining from the ear. These signs do not confirm an ear infection; an ear examination is needed.

Yes. Adults get both middle ear infections and swimmer’s ear, often after a cold, allergies or swimming.

Come in. Drainage can mean an infection or a small tear in the eardrum. Don’t put anything in your ear until a provider checks it.

Yes. Pressure from an ear infection can cause a small tear. It often heals on its own in a few weeks, but the provider should check it.

Fluid may cause temporary muffled hearing, but sudden hearing loss needs immediate medical assessment even if the ear feels blocked. Do not wait for presumed wax or infection to clear. Persistent hearing changes also need follow-up.

Yes. Infections and fluid in the ear can affect your balance and make you feel dizzy. Sudden severe dizziness with weakness, trouble walking, a severe headache or other neurologic symptoms needs emergency care.

Most clear up without problems. Complications can include a torn eardrum, short-term hearing loss, repeat infections and, rarely, infection spreading to the bone behind the ear or to the brain.

A warm or cool washcloth and age-appropriate pain medicine may help. Follow the label or clinician advice; do not give aspirin to children. Adults may rest with the head elevated, but babies must sleep on their backs on a firm, flat surface without pillows or an incline.

Not without checking with a provider first. If your eardrum is torn, these can cause problems. Don’t put anything in an ear that’s draining.

No. Ear candles don’t remove wax or treat infections, and they can burn your ear and face.

We assess wax blockage and may remove it when safe and appropriate. Tell us about ear tubes, prior ear surgery, drainage or a possible eardrum tear; some removal methods are not safe in these situations.

If you or your child get ear infections often, fluid won’t clear, or there’s a complication. We can refer you to an ENT when it’s needed.

Seek emergency care for swelling or redness behind the ear, an ear pushed outward, fever with a stiff neck, severe headache or other concerning symptoms. Call 911 for confusion, sudden facial weakness or other life-threatening symptoms. Sudden hearing loss requires immediate medical assessment. A baby under 3 months with a fever of 100.4°F or higher needs immediate evaluation.

Yes. The provider can write a note for work or school at your visit, based on your illness.

Yes. Both clinics are open Saturday and Sunday, 9am to 5pm.

You pay your plan’s copay at the visit. Deductible or coinsurance costs depend on your plan and services, and you may receive a bill after insurance processes the claim. Copays for covered visits with most NC Medicaid plans are usually $0 or $4; confirm with your plan. Self-pay visits start at $140, plus tests and treatments.

Yes. Some staff speak Spanish, and language assistance is available. Please tell us your preferred language when you contact the clinic. Sí, avísenos si prefiere recibir atención en español.