Earache pain can vary in intensity and may feel sharp or dull. It can affect one ear or both ears and may be constant or come and go. Earaches are common in both children and adults, and symptoms can differ from person to person or from one episode to another.
There are many possible causes of ear pain. Some are minor, such as water trapped in the ear, while others are more complex and may involve referred pain from nearby areas like the jaw, throat, or sinuses. Understanding the pattern and accompanying symptoms can help identify the underlying cause.
In addition to ear pain, symptoms of an earache may depend on the underlying condition and can include:
• Difficulty hearing
• A feeling of fullness or pressure in the ear
• Dizziness or balance problems
• Nausea or vomiting
• Discharge from the ear
• Fever
For babies and young children who cannot clearly describe their discomfort, signs of an earache may include:
• Disrupted or restless sleep
• Tugging or pulling at one or both ears
• Increased irritability or fussiness
• Reduced appetite
• Balance difficulties
• Delayed or reduced response to sounds or speech
At ENT Specialists of Alberta, our team provides expert evaluation and care for ear pain in patients of all ages across Alberta, helping identify the cause and deliver effective treatment.
Ear pain can have many possible causes, ranging from infections to jaw or nerve related conditions. Identifying the source of an earache is important for effective treatment.
One of the most common causes of ear pain in children is a middle ear infection, known as acute otitis media. This condition develops when the eustachian tube, which connects the middle ear to the back of the throat, becomes blocked. Fluid and bacteria can then build up in the middle ear, leading to infection. In some children, these infections may occur repeatedly.
Prompt treatment of otitis media is important, as the infection can spread to nearby structures in the head. It may also cause hearing loss, which in young children can affect speech and learning development.
Otitis externa, commonly called swimmer ear, is an infection of the outer ear canal and is a frequent cause of ear pain in adults. It is often associated with swimming in contaminated water, but it can also occur when the delicate skin of the ear canal is irritated by cotton swabs or other objects.
Temporomandibular joint dysfunction is another common cause of ear pain in adults. Although this joint is part of the jaw rather than the ear, problems with the joint can cause referred pain that is felt in or around the ears. This condition is often linked to teeth grinding, particularly during sleep
Additional causes of earaches may include:
• Inflammation of the outer ear
• Referred pain from a throat infection
• Referred pain from throat cancer
• Changes in environmental pressure, such as during airplane ascent or descent
• Buildup of earwax
• A perforated eardrum
• Arthritis affecting the jaw
• An infected tooth
• Eczema in the ear canal
• Trigeminal neuralgia, which involves pain of the facial nerve
• Trauma or injury to the ear
At ENT Specialists of Alberta, our team evaluates ear pain in patients of all ages across Alberta to determine the underlying cause and provide appropriate treatment.
Treatment for an earache depends on the underlying cause. Ear pain should first be assessed by your family physician or your child’s pediatrician, who may refer you to an ear nose and throat specialist if further evaluation is needed.
If an earache is caused by an infection, treatment may include antibiotic ear drops and in some cases oral antibiotics. Over the counter pain relief medications can help manage discomfort, and your doctor may also prescribe anesthetic ear drops to reduce pain.
When ear pain is related to pressure buildup in the middle ear, symptoms may improve by sitting upright, chewing gum, or drinking fluids. For infants, breast or formula feeding can help relieve pressure and associated discomfort. Antihistamines or decongestants may also help reduce fluid buildup and pressure, but these medications should only be used after consulting your doctor.
It is important to seek prompt medical attention if:
• An infant has a fever higher than one hundred and one degrees
• Ear pain suddenly resolves, which may indicate a ruptured eardrum
• Ear pain is severe or worsening
• Ear pain is accompanied by a severe headache
• There is swelling around the ear, blood or pus draining from the ear, or facial weakness
• Symptoms do not improve within forty eight hours
Children with frequent or long term ear infections may be candidates for ear tube placement, also known as pressure equalization tubes. These small tubes are surgically placed in the eardrum to allow fluid to drain from the middle ear and reduce pressure buildup
Some causes of ear pain can be prevented, while others can only be managed as they occur. Avoid placing objects in the ear, including cotton swabs, as this can push wax deeper or injure the ear canal. Earwax removal is safest when performed by a medical professional or with recommended cerumen softening drops.
After swimming or bathing, be sure to dry the ears thoroughly. Symptoms of an ear infection should never be ignored, especially in children, as untreated infections can lead to hearing loss or spread to nearby structures.
At ENT Specialists of Alberta, our experienced team provides expert diagnosis and personalized treatment plans for patients across Alberta experiencing ear pain.
If you are dealing with persistent or severe earache symptoms, contact ENT Specialists of Alberta today to book a consultation and get the relief you need
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