Earaches and ear infections can be excruciating, especially for children. In fact, ear infections (otitis media) are the most common illness in babies and young children, with about 10 million new cases every year. They account for more than 35% of all pediatric visits. Almost half of children will experience at least one middle ear infection before their first birthday, and by age three, two-thirds of children will have had at least one episode. Symptoms often include ear pa