Ear Pain (Earache, Otalgia)

What is ear pain?

Ear pain (an earache) is a symptom of many health conditions. It could point to an underlying issue. Or it might mean you have an ear infection.

“Otalgia” (oh-TAL-gee-uh) is the medical name for ear pain. This pain might be dull, sharp, mild or severe. Some people have ear pain that comes and goes.

Most of the time, ear pain isn’t dangerous. But frequent earaches or pain that lasts longer than three days could point to something more serious.

Why does my ear hurt?

Many things can make your ears hurt. Healthcare providers place ear pain in two categories:

1. Primary ear pain originates in your ears.
2. Secondary (referred) ear pain is when a condition unrelated to your ears causes ear pain. This happens because your ears and nearby body parts share the same nerves with your brain.

Common causes of primary ear pain are:

• Barotrauma (air or water pressure changes).
• Earwax buildup.
• Eustachian tube dysfunction.
• Foreign object in your ear.
• Inner ear infections.
• Middle ear infections.
• Ruptured eardrum.
• Swimmer’s ear.

Common causes of secondary ear pain are:

• Allergies.
• Colds.
• GERD.
• Toothaches.
• TMJ disorders.
• Tonsillitis.
• Sore throat.
• Sinusitis.

Complications

Ear pain isn’t always a sign of something serious. But if it lingers for more than three days, you should see your healthcare provider. If you have an infection, it can spread to nearby structures like your jaw or skull. Left untreated, ear infections can lead to serious complications like mastoiditis or meningitis.

How is ear pain treated?

Earache treatment depends on the cause. Over-the-counter (OTC) medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol^®) or ibuprofen (Advil^®) may be all you need for ear pain relief. But in some cases, your provider may prescribe medications in ear drops or pill form. These include:

• Antibiotics.
• Antifungals.
• Corticosteroids.

Sometimes, rest and a little TLC can do wonders. You can try these home remedies to soothe ear pain:

• Apply heat or use cold packs. Cold can reduce pain and inflammation while heat relaxes your muscles and improves blood flow.
• Elevate your head. This helps ease pressure inside your ear.
• Use over-the-counter ear drops. Ask your healthcare provider what type is best for your situation. Don’t use ear drops if you have a ruptured eardrum.

Can ear pain (otalgia) be prevented?

Earaches happen for many reasons, and you can’t always avoid them. But doing the following may reduce your overall risk for ear pain:

• Clean your ears with care. You can use cotton swabs to clean your outer ears — but avoid sticking them into your ear canal.
• Protect your ears when you fly to prevent airplane ear.
• Wash your hands frequently to reduce your risk of infections.

When should ear pain be treated by a doctor or healthcare provider?

Sometimes, earaches go away on their own. But if you still have ear pain after three days, you should call your healthcare provider. You should also tell them if you develop:

• Chills.
• Ear drainage.
• Fever of 103 degrees Fahrenheit (39.4 degrees Celsius) or higher.
• Frequent earaches.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Hearing loss.
• Severe sore throat.
• Swelling or skin discoloration around your ear.

If your child has something stuck in their ear, schedule a visit with their pediatrician right away. This is especially true if you’ve tried to remove the object once with no success. Repeated removal attempts can increase the risk of ear injury. If you remove the object successfully, you should still call your healthcare provider if your child has symptoms like pain, ear drainage or muffled hearing.