CSOM OR COM Neglected or recurrent infection of the middle ear may eventually produce a chronic change in the mucosa of the ear or destruction of the periosteum covering the ossicles, The infection then tends to become chronic Chronic infection of the middle ear is much more common in persons who had ear disease in early children. Disease of the ear in infancy and early children may arrest the normal pneumatization of the mastoid. It is possible that the same process alters the mucosa of the middle ear. so that it is more susceptible to recurrent infection than is the normal earCSOM OR COM  Neglected or recurrent infection of the middle ear may eventually produce a chronic change in the mucosa of the ear or destruction of the periosteum covering the ossicles, The infection then tends to become chronic. Chronic infection of the middle ear is much more common in persons who had ear disease in early children. Disease of the ear in infancy and early children may arrest the normal pneumatization of the mastoid. It is possible that the same process alters the mucosa of the middle ear, so that it is more susceptible to recurrent infection than is the normal ear