R.H.
Hi J.,
Don't feel bad at all. My daughter at 13 months developed an ear infection THAT RUPTURED and I never knew it! She was cutting a molar at the time... same thing. All the symptoms were plausible teething... AND when I would treat the teething (oragel and such) the fussing would stop. And it wasn't even BAD fussing.
Looking back, the ONLY thing I didn't catch was when I would put her down to bed at night and rock her... she had a very difficult time getting comfortable in my arms. Normally, that is not the case. Looking back I now know that was her ear being very uncomfortable.
The nurse at our peds office told me they don't always run a temp with ear infections. The dr told me that quite honestly, an ear infection is really no big deal unless they continue to happen over and over. She wasn't even concerned it ruptured. She said 80% of the time a ruptured infection heals perfectly fine all on it's own, my daughters did. She just had a check up for 15 months and her ears are perfect. In addition, once it ruptures, there is no need for antibiotics. Our peds dr said the bacteria is draining out and there is no need for pain meds because the pain is gone. So, we didn't do any medications. Which is fine with me. I don't want to give antibiotics unless absolutely necessary!
Anyway, my point is... don't worry about it.
When your daughter teeths, if she is prone to runny noses and such, like mine is, there are some things you can do to promote drainage. Keep her nose clear with saline drops and an aspirator. Also, tug on the top of her ear... up and out. This will help open the eustachian tube and promote drainage. In addition, you can take your finger and run it down her neck from the bottom of her ear to her throat. This too will promote drainage.
Their eustachian tubes at this young age are not on an incline like ours. THey are straight across. So, you have to promote drainage. When their sinuses are clogged it can easily clog their ear tubes. You hear people say 'kids grow out of ear infections'. That is really true... as they grow older their ears move up and then they get the incline to the eustachian tube and voila ... drainage happens more naturally and no more ear infections.
I have not heard of any 'detection' device for ear infections. Just watch for ANY change in behavior. If she doesn't want to lay down, can't get comfortable when you lay her in your arms. tugs on her ear, spikes a fever, becomes overly fussy... anything.
Good luck. Hang in there.