acute otitis media
noun
: infection of the middle ear that is of rapid onset and is marked by inflammation, earache, fever, decreased hearing, fluid in the middle ear, and sometimes rupture of the tympanic membrane —abbreviation AOM
Note: Acute otitis media is most common in infants and young children. It is caused by a bacterium or virus and typically occurs as a complication of an upper respiratory infection.
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web The authors concluded that the most likely condition was acute otitis media, aka a middle ear infection, which had spread to the underlying bone, specifically the mastoid bone (mastoiditis). 
Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 24 Feb. 2022 In February 2020, the company signed a deal with St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital to develop a vaccine for acute otitis media, or middle-ear infections, which account for 20 million doctor visits a year in the United States. Anne Saker, The Enquirer, 6 May 2021
Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 24 Feb. 2022 In February 2020, the company signed a deal with St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital to develop a vaccine for acute otitis media, or middle-ear infections, which account for 20 million doctor visits a year in the United States. Anne Saker, The Enquirer, 6 May 2021 Word History
First Known Use
1855, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
acute otitis media
noun
: infection of the middle ear that is of rapid onset and is marked by inflammation, earache, fever, decreased hearing, fluid in the middle ear, and sometimes rupture of the tympanic membrane
Note: Acute otitis media is most common in infants and young children. It is caused by a bacterium or virus and typically occurs as a complication of an upper respiratory infection.
… acute otitis media … is the most frequent childhood illness after the cold and the most common pediatric diagnosis for which antibiotics are prescribed. Marianne Neifert, Baby Talk
—abbreviation AOM Marianne Neifert, Baby Talk