AAO-HNS Acute Otitis Externa Guideline Summary - Guideline Central

Document Overview

Design and created by Guideline Central in participation with the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Foundation.

Document Overview

Document Title: Acute Otitis Externa

Authoring Society: American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Foundation

Endorsing Societies

American Academy of Family Physicians

Society of Otorhinolaryngology and Head-Neck Nurses

Document Publication Date: Feb 1, 2014

Page Last Reviewed/Updated: May 5, 2026

Document Type: Guideline

Country of Publication: United States

Full Text Freely Available: Yes

Full Text Guideline: aao-hnsfjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1177/0194599813517083

Source Citation: Rosenfeld RM, Schwartz SR, Cannon CR, et al. Clinical Practice Guideline: Acute Otitis Externa. Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. 2014;150(1_suppl):S1-S24. doi:10.1177/0194599813517083

Supplemental Implementation Resources

Document Scope, Criteria, and Use Cases

Document Objectives: The primary purpose of the original guideline was to promote appropriate use of oral and topical antimicrobials for acute otitis externa (AOE) and to highlight the need for adequate pain relief. An updated guideline is needed because of new clinical trials, new systematic reviews, and the lack of consumer participation in the initial guideline development group.

Scope: Diagnosis, Treatment

Diseases/Conditions (MeSH)

D010032 - Otitis Externa

D010032 - Otitis Externa

Keywords: AOE, acute otitis externa

Target Patient Population: aged 2 years or older with diffuse acute otitis externa

Target Provider Population: primary care and specialist clinicians, including otolaryngologists–head and neck surgeons, pediatricians, family physicians, emergency physicians, internists, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants

Inclusion Criteria: Male, Female, Adolescent, Adult, Child, Older Adult

Health Care Settings: Ambulatory, Emergency Care

Intended Users: Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician, Physician Assistant

Recommendation Development Processes & Methodology

Number of Source Documents: 165

Literature Search Start Date: Friday, July 1, 2005

Literature Search End Date: Monday, October 1, 2012

Includes peer/external review process?: Yes

Includes public comment process?: Yes

Methodologist involvement?: Yes

Patient involvement?: Yes

Includes multi-disciplinary group?: Yes

Includes systematic review?: Yes

Grades quality of strength of evidence?: Yes

Grades quality of strength of recommendation?: Yes

Discloses funding source?: Yes

Discloses conflicts of interest?: Yes

Includes benefits/harms analysis with recommendations?: Yes