Disclosed herein is a composition and a method for the treatment of otitis media and paranasal sinusitis using human defensins, lysozyme and/or lactoferrin as a new class of non-antibiotic antimicrobials. From studies of otitis media and paranasal sinusitis, it was observed that certain innate immune modulators were important in the bodies response to the infection. Therefore, these innate immune modulators, lysozyme, lactoferrin, and defensins were tested for use as a non-antibiotic treatment for infection, particularly infections such as otitis media and sinusitis.