Ear pain—also known as otalgia—can catch you off guard. One moment you’re fine, the next you’re clutching your ear, wondering if it’s an infection, wax build-up, or something more serious. Let’s break it down in a way that’s easy to understand, even if medical jargon isn’t your thing.
What Is Ear Pain?
Ear pain is a common symptom that can affect children and adults alike. It may feel like a sharp stab, a dull ache, or a throbbing discomfort deep in the ear. While it often stems from a problem within the ear itself, sometimes the cause lies outside the ear, such as in the throat or jaw.
It’s especially common in children—about 5 out of 6 children will have at least one ear infection before age 3.
How Does It Happen?
Imagine your ear as a tiny, well-oiled machine with three main parts: outer ear, middle ear, and inner ear. Pain can come from any of these sections.
- Infections can build pressure behind the eardrum, like a balloon being overinflated.
- Blockages (like earwax or fluid) can trap sound and pressure, making it feel like you’re underwater.
- Nerve signals from nearby areas (like your teeth or throat) may also “refer” pain to your ears—even if the ear itself is fine.
What Causes Ear Pain?
There are two broad types of ear pain causes: primary (from the ear itself) and referred (from surrounding areas).
🌟 Main Causes of Ear Pain:
- Ear infections (Otitis media and externa) – Most common cause, especially in kids.
- Acute otitis media: middle ear infection
- Swimmer’s ear (otitis externa): outer ear infection from trapped water
- Earwax build-up – Blocked ear canal can press against nerves.
- Barotrauma – Pressure changes from flying or diving.
- Foreign objects – Common in children (like beads or bits of food).
- Throat infections (e.g., tonsillitis, pharyngitis) – Pain referred from nearby areas.
- TMJ disorder – Jaw joint issues can cause pain near the ear.
- Dental problems – Tooth decay or wisdom teeth pain can travel to the ear.
Who’s at Risk?
Anyone can get ear pain, but certain factors make it more likely.
🔍 Top Risk Factors:
- Young children: smaller Eustachian tubes mean fluid builds up easily.
- Frequent upper respiratory infections: these often spread to the ears.
- Swimming: moisture in the ear can trigger infections.
- Smoking or exposure to second-hand smoke: irritates ear linings.
- Air travel: quick altitude changes can trigger pressure-related pain.
Other Symptoms That Come with Ear Pain
Ear pain often shows up with a few unwelcome friends:
🩺 Common symptoms:
- Fullness or pressure in the ear
- Hearing loss or muffled sounds
- Drainage or fluid coming out of the ear
- Fever (especially with infection)
- Itching or redness (in external ear issues)
⚠️ When it gets worse:
- High fever
- Severe or sharp pain that suddenly stops (could mean eardrum rupture)
- Dizziness or balance issues
- Ringing in the ear (tinnitus)
- Jaw pain or clicking sounds
How Do Doctors Find the Cause?
The go-to method is a simple tool called an otoscope. It lets the doctor look into the ear canal and check:
- Is the eardrum red or bulging?
- Is there fluid behind the eardrum?
- Any signs of wax build-up, injury, or foreign object?
Sometimes, if the ear looks normal but the pain persists, other tests (like a throat swab, dental X-ray, or jaw exam) might be needed to rule out referred pain.
How Is Ear Pain Treated?
Treatment depends on the underlying cause, not just the pain itself.
🏆 Gold-standard treatments:
- Ear infections:
- Children: May need antibiotics if bacterial (e.g., amoxicillin).
- Adults: Often managed with pain relievers first, unless severe.
- Pain relief:
- Over-the-counter meds like ibuprofen or paracetamol.
- Warm compresses on the affected side.
- Earwax blockage:
- Softening drops (e.g., olive oil, hydrogen peroxide).
- Professional cleaning (never use cotton buds at home!).
- Swimmer’s ear:
- Prescription antibiotic ear drops.
- TMJ or dental causes:
- Jaw exercises, bite guards, or dental treatment.
When to See a Doctor?
It’s time to make that appointment if:
- Pain lasts more than 1–2 days
- There’s fluid or blood coming from the ear
- You have a fever over 38.5°C (101.3°F)
- Hearing is significantly reduced
- A child under 6 months has any ear symptoms
References
- “Earache in Children and Adults” – Mayo Clinic (2023). https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/earache/basics/causes/sym-20050841
- “Otitis Media (Middle Ear Infection)” – CDC, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2022). https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/community/for-patients/common-illnesses/ear-infection.html
- “Otitis Externa (Swimmer’s Ear)” – NHS UK (2023). https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/otitis-externa/