Untreated ear infections can lead to serious complications, and it is important to monitor symptoms and seek treatment if they continue or worsen after a day or two. Here are some possible complications of untreated ear infections:

• Hearing loss: Mild hearing loss that comes and goes is fairly common with an ear infection, but it usually gets better after the infection clears. However, ear infections that happen again and again, or fluid in the middle ear, may lead to more significant hearing loss. If there is some permanent damage to the eardrum or other middle ear structures, permanent hearing loss may occur.

• Ruptured eardrum: If the eardrum ruptures, which can happen as a result of fluid building up pressure in the middle ear, a small hole results. It usually heals within a few days, but if it happens too often, it will require surgery to fix. This can also lead to hearing loss.

• Tears in the eardrum: Untreated chronic ear infections can cause tears in the eardrum. These tears will typically heal within a few days, though in more extreme cases, surgical repair might be required.

• Spread of infection: An untreated infection can spread to other nearby tissue in and around the ear, and in rare cases even into the skull, resulting in meningitis. Infections will more commonly spread to the mastoid, just behind the ear, which can damage the bone and form pus-filled cysts.

• Damage to the vestibular system: Left untreated, an inner ear infection can damage your vestibular system, which controls balance. In these cases, recovery may last longer. Additionally, an unchecked inner ear infection could lead to permanent partial or total hearing loss.

It is important to note that while most ear infections do not cause lasting problems, recurring infections left untreated can lead to serious complications. Therefore, it is critical to monitor symptoms and seek treatment if they continue or worsen after a day or two.