If a child has acute otitis media, they generally experience ear pain.
If the inflammation worsens and leads to suppuration, there will be a symptom of ear discharge.
Over time, with repeated episodes, it may develop into chronic suppurative otitis media, resulting in recurrent ear discharge.
Some children don't have ear discharge but only experience hearing loss. It could be secretory otitis media, with fluid in the middle ear. An otoscopy can be performed to check.