One of the signs that something isn’t quite right with our ear is when we feel discomfort, or even pain. This can be a warning sign to see a specialist — in this case, an ENT doctor — who can carry out a check-up to rule out any underlying conditions or abnormalities.
Below, we’ll walk through some guidelines for spotting possible symptoms and the causes behind that bothersome ear pain, but always remember to check with your specialist.
Symptoms and causes
Ear pain can stem from other underlying factors that end up affecting the ear, without necessarily being directly related to the organ itself, but which can still cause pain, whether mild or intense. There’s a wide range of possible causes, such as:
- Various types of allergies.
- Prolonged episodes of severe coughing.
- Various dental and jaw conditions.
- Inflammation or blockage of the Eustachian tube.
- Blockage of the ear canal by water, foreign objects or earwax.
- Shingles.
- Inflammation of the parotid gland due to mumps.
- Eardrum injuries.
- Frostbite of the outer ear at very low temperatures.
- Cancerous conditions in nearby organs.
- Drastic changes in atmospheric pressure.
- Jaw arthritis
- An object lodged in the ear, or earwax build-up
- A hole in the eardrum
- A sinus infection
- A sore throat
- Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome
- A dental infection
The purpose of seeing an ENT doctor is for them to examine you and identify what’s causing the pain.
What’s more, if the problem isn’t resolved, related problems can appear, such as dizziness, hypoacusis, tinnitus and fluid discharge.
But despite all these possible causes of ear pain, the first one worth mentioning is otitis (an ear infection), especially in young children, who are very prone to it.
Otitis, the most common cause of ear pain
Otitis is an inflammation caused by an infection in the outer or middle ear. It’s the most common cause of ear pain and is caused by bacteria and fungi.
Outer ear infections usually stem from a secondary infection of wounds within the ear canal itself, in the outer part, whereas middle ear infections usually stem from a cold.
Diagnosing an ear infection
The ENT doctor will carry out the relevant examination, checking the outer ear and the ear canal with an otoscope, and running a series of tests which, together with the questions asked during the patient’s history, will help diagnose what’s actually going on and what’s causing the pain.
It could be an outer ear infection, when the infection (usually bacterial) is caused by spending long periods in water — very common in summer, with children being the most commonly affected. That’s why swimming earplugs are recommended for anyone, adult or child, who gets recurring ear infections every year.
It could also be an acute middle ear infection, stemming from an upper respiratory complication, where the infection occurs in the middle ear and the pain tends to build up gradually.
Treatment
An outer ear infection can get worse if left untreated, potentially blocking the ear canal, although this isn’t common. It usually lasts between 7 and 10 days as long as the prescribed treatment is followed, which depends on the severity of the infection but generally involves antibiotics and anti-inflammatories, which must always be prescribed by your ENT doctor.
As for middle ear infections, how long they last depends on the cause and the treatment. If left untreated, they can lead to further complications, including episodes of vertigo, neurological problems, or even conductive hearing loss caused by the infection itself. Painkillers and antibiotics are usually prescribed.
How can ear pain be prevented?
Here are a few practices that, if followed, can help us avoid certain issues such as infections or injuries:
- Don’t use cotton buds to clean your ears, since this could cause injury.
- Dry the outer ear with a towel after every shower or swim.
- Avoid swimming in water that looks contaminated, whether at the beach, in rivers, or in poorly maintained pools. In these cases, using swimming earplugs minimises the risk of discomfort.
- Always treat allergies with proper medical care.
- For children, avoid exposure to smokers as much as possible. This is a risk because it inflames the nasal passages and, indirectly, the ears too, at a very young age.
- Avoid environments with loud noise.
Finally, remember that for any ear pain or discomfort, whether mild or more serious, you should see a specialist — an ENT doctor — for an assessment and treatment.
Frequently asked questions
Ear pain can be caused by outer or middle ear infections, earwax build-up, pressure changes, colds, sinusitis, or even jaw problems. The cause isn’t always inside the ear itself, so a proper assessment is important.
An earwax blockage can cause a feeling of pressure, discomfort, pain, and even temporary hearing loss. It can also encourage infections if it isn’t removed properly by a professional.
No. Although infections are a common cause, pain can also come from jaw tension, teeth grinding, dental problems, or inflammation of structures near the ear.
During a cold or flu, the Eustachian tube can become blocked, causing pressure and pain in the middle ear. This is common in both adults and children.
Persistent pain, discharge, fever, hearing loss, a blocked-ear feeling, or dizziness are signs that a check-up is needed as soon as possible.
If the pain is intense, doesn’t improve with basic measures, comes with fever, hearing loss, discharge, or affects your balance, it’s a good idea to see an ENT doctor or healthcare professional to rule out complications.
Yes, habits like not using cotton buds, drying your ears well after bathing, treating allergies, avoiding smoky environments, and protecting yourself from contaminated water can all help reduce the risk of infections and discomfort.
