An ear infection, also called a middle ear infection, is one of the most common conditions among children. They shouldn’t be ignored. Untreated ear infections can lead to unnecessary pain and permanent hearing loss for your child. An ear infection occurs in the middle ear and is caused by a bacterial or viral infection. It creates pressure in the small space between the eardrum and the back of the throat called the Eustachian tube. Smaller Eustachian tubes are more sensitive to pressure, which causes the ear pain.