What are the most frequent reasons for ear discomfort. How can you differentiate between various types of ear pain. When should you seek medical attention for ear-related issues. What home remedies can alleviate ear pain. How do environmental factors contribute to ear discomfort. Are there preventive measures to avoid ear pain. What role does ear anatomy play in pain perception.

Understanding Ear Pain: More Than Just Infections

Ear pain, often associated with childhood ailments, can affect adults just as frequently. Contrary to popular belief, ear discomfort doesn’t always indicate an infection or an inherent ear problem. Various factors can contribute to this uncomfortable sensation, ranging from simple causes to more complex underlying issues.

The Spectrum of Ear Pain

Ear pain can manifest in different ways, from a dull ache to a sharp, stabbing sensation. It may be constant or intermittent, affecting one or both ears. Understanding the nature of the pain can provide valuable clues about its origin and potential treatment options.

Earwax Buildup: A Common Culprit

Our ears naturally produce and expel wax as a protective mechanism. However, when this process is disrupted, wax can accumulate and harden, leading to a blockage in the ear canal. This condition, known as impacted earwax, can cause significant discomfort.

Symptoms of Earwax Impaction

• Ear pain or ache
• Itching sensation
• Discharge from the ear
• Temporary hearing loss
• Feeling of fullness in the ear

Can you safely remove earwax at home? While it’s tempting to use cotton swabs or other objects to clear out ear wax, this approach often does more harm than good. Inserting objects into the ear canal can push the wax deeper, exacerbating the problem and potentially damaging the eardrum.

Safe Earwax Removal Methods

For mild cases of earwax buildup, over-the-counter ear drops can be effective. These solutions work by softening the wax, allowing it to drain naturally. However, if the impaction is severe or persistent, it’s best to consult a healthcare professional. They can safely remove the wax without risking damage to the delicate structures of the ear.

Air Pressure Changes: The Silent Pain Inducer

Our ears are remarkably adept at maintaining equal pressure on both sides of the eardrum. This balance is crucial for comfortable hearing and overall ear health. However, rapid changes in air pressure can disrupt this equilibrium, leading to discomfort or pain.

Common Scenarios for Pressure-Related Ear Pain

1. Air travel, especially during takeoff and landing
2. Driving through mountainous regions
3. Scuba diving or deep-sea diving
4. Riding in elevators in tall buildings

What causes the characteristic ‘pop’ in our ears? This sensation, often experienced when swallowing or yawning, is part of the body’s natural mechanism to equalize pressure. The Eustachian tubes, which connect the middle ear to the back of the throat, open briefly to allow air in or out, maintaining pressure balance.

Eustachian Tube Dysfunction

In some individuals, the Eustachian tubes may not function optimally, leading to chronic issues with pressure equalization. This condition, known as Eustachian tube dysfunction, can cause persistent ear discomfort, especially during altitude changes.

Preventing Pressure-Related Ear Pain

• Chew gum or suck on hard candy during air travel
• Practice the Valsalva maneuver: gently blow out while pinching your nostrils shut
• Stay awake during airplane descent
• Avoid air travel or diving when congested due to colds, allergies, or sinus infections

Swimmer’s Ear: When Water Becomes the Enemy

Swimmer’s ear, medically known as otitis externa, is an infection of the outer ear canal. Despite its name, you don’t have to be a swimmer to develop this condition. Any situation that allows water to become trapped in the ear canal can create an environment conducive to bacterial growth.

Identifying Swimmer’s Ear

How can you tell if your ear pain is due to swimmer’s ear? The discomfort is typically localized to the outer ear and ear canal. Pain often intensifies when pulling on the earlobe or pressing on the small flap (tragus) that closes over the ear canal.

Symptoms of Swimmer’s Ear

• Ear pain that worsens when touching the outer ear
• Redness and swelling of the ear canal
• Itching inside the ear
• Discharge of clear fluid or pus
• Temporary hearing loss or muffled hearing

Is swimmer’s ear contagious? Despite being an infection, swimmer’s ear is not contagious. It results from bacteria thriving in a moist environment within an individual’s ear canal and cannot be transmitted from person to person.

Treating and Preventing Swimmer’s Ear

Treatment for swimmer’s ear typically involves antibiotic ear drops prescribed by a healthcare provider. To prevent recurrence, it’s crucial to keep ears dry during and after water activities. Using earplugs while swimming and thoroughly drying ears after exposure to water can significantly reduce the risk of developing swimmer’s ear.

Middle Ear Infections: A Common Source of Discomfort

Middle ear infections, or otitis media, are among the most frequent causes of ear pain, especially in children. These infections occur when fluid builds up in the middle ear, often as a result of a cold, allergies, or sinus infection blocking the Eustachian tubes.

The Anatomy of a Middle Ear Infection

The middle ear is the air-filled space behind the eardrum. When the Eustachian tubes become blocked, fluid can accumulate in this space, creating an ideal environment for bacteria or viruses to proliferate. The resulting infection causes inflammation and pain.

Symptoms of Middle Ear Infections

• Ear pain, often severe
• Fever
• Difficulty hearing
• Feeling of fullness in the ear
• Dizziness or balance problems
• Nausea or vomiting (in severe cases)

Do all middle ear infections require antibiotics? Not necessarily. Many middle ear infections, especially those caused by viruses, will resolve on their own without antibiotic treatment. However, bacterial infections may require antibiotics to prevent complications and speed recovery.

Treatment Approaches for Middle Ear Infections

The treatment approach for middle ear infections depends on the suspected cause and severity of symptoms. Options may include:

1. Watchful waiting for mild cases, especially in older children and adults
2. Pain relief medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen
3. Antibiotic treatment for bacterial infections
4. Decongestants or antihistamines for associated congestion
5. Warm compresses applied to the affected ear

It’s crucial to follow up with a healthcare provider if symptoms persist or worsen, as untreated middle ear infections can lead to complications, including hearing loss.

Referred Pain: When Ear Discomfort Originates Elsewhere

Surprisingly, ear pain doesn’t always stem from issues within the ear itself. The complex network of nerves in our face and neck can sometimes lead to a phenomenon known as referred pain, where discomfort originating in one area is felt in another.

Common Sources of Referred Ear Pain

• Dental problems (tooth abscesses, cavities, impacted molars)
• Throat infections (tonsillitis, pharyngitis)
• Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders
• Neck pain or cervical spine issues
• Trigeminal neuralgia

How can you differentiate between true ear pain and referred pain? While it can be challenging, referred pain often comes with additional symptoms related to its source. For instance, dental-related ear pain might be accompanied by tooth sensitivity or jaw discomfort.

The TMJ-Ear Pain Connection

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which acts as a hinge for your jaw, is located just below the ear. Disorders affecting this joint can cause pain that feels as though it’s coming from the ear. TMJ-related ear pain often worsens with jaw movement, such as chewing, talking, or yawning.

Managing Referred Ear Pain

Treating referred ear pain involves addressing the underlying cause. This may include:

1. Dental treatment for tooth-related issues
2. Antibiotics for throat infections
3. Pain management and stress reduction techniques for TMJ disorders
4. Physical therapy or chiropractic care for neck-related pain
5. Neurology consultation for suspected nerve-related pain

Serious Causes of Ear Pain: When to Seek Immediate Medical Attention

While most causes of ear pain are benign and easily treatable, some can indicate more serious underlying conditions that require prompt medical attention.

Red Flags for Serious Ear Pain

• Severe pain that doesn’t respond to over-the-counter pain relievers
• Ear pain accompanied by high fever (above 102°F or 39°C)
• Sudden hearing loss or significant change in hearing
• Dizziness or loss of balance
• Facial weakness or paralysis
• Persistent ear drainage or bleeding from the ear
• Ear pain associated with a new rash, especially around the ear or face

What serious conditions can manifest as ear pain? While rare, ear pain can sometimes be a symptom of more severe issues such as:

1. Malignant otitis externa: A severe infection that can spread to surrounding tissues and bone
2. Mastoiditis: An infection of the mastoid bone behind the ear
3. Cholesteatoma: An abnormal skin growth in the middle ear
4. Tumors: Benign or malignant growths in or around the ear
5. Herpes zoster oticus (Ramsay Hunt syndrome): A viral infection affecting the facial nerve near the ear

The Importance of Timely Medical Evaluation

Early diagnosis and treatment of serious ear conditions can prevent complications and improve outcomes. If you experience severe, persistent, or worrying ear pain, it’s crucial to seek medical attention promptly. A healthcare provider can perform a thorough examination, including otoscopy (looking inside the ear) and possibly additional tests to determine the cause of your symptoms and recommend appropriate treatment.

Preventive Measures and Home Remedies for Ear Pain

While not all causes of ear pain are preventable, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk and manage mild discomfort at home.

Preventing Ear Pain

• Practice good ear hygiene, but avoid inserting objects into the ear canal
• Dry ears thoroughly after swimming or bathing
• Use earplugs or a swim cap when swimming
• Manage allergies and sinus problems promptly
• Avoid exposure to loud noises or use proper hearing protection
• Stay hydrated to help keep mucus thin and less likely to block Eustachian tubes
• Practice stress-reduction techniques to minimize TMJ-related issues

Are there effective home remedies for ear pain? While home remedies should not replace medical treatment for severe or persistent ear pain, some techniques can provide relief for mild discomfort:

1. Apply a warm compress to the affected ear
2. Use over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen
3. Try olive oil drops to soften earwax (if impacted wax is suspected)
4. Practice gentle ear popping techniques for pressure-related discomfort
5. Rest with the affected ear facing upward to encourage drainage
6. Use a humidifier to keep the air moist, which can help with congestion

When to Move Beyond Home Care

While home remedies can be effective for minor ear discomfort, it’s important to recognize when professional medical care is necessary. If ear pain persists for more than a few days, is accompanied by other concerning symptoms, or significantly impacts your daily life, consult a healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

Understanding the various causes of ear pain and knowing when to seek help can significantly improve your ear health and overall well-being. By staying informed and proactive, you can better manage ear discomfort and prevent potential complications.

Why Does My Ear Hurt? 7 Possible Causes of Ear Pain

Written by Stacey Jones, MS, BA

• Earwax
• Air Pressure
• Swimmer’s Ear
• Middle Ear Infection
• Other Causes

Parents know how common earaches are in children, but adults can get frequent ear pain, too. You don’t have to have an infection, or even anything wrong with your ears, to have ear pain.

These are the most common causes:

Your ear makes and gets rid of wax all the time. When the process doesn’t work well, the gunk builds up and hardens so your ear canal gets blocked. Your doctor will call this impacted wax. Sometimes, it causes pain.

Don’t use cotton swabs or other objects to try to get wax out. You’ll just push it farther into your ear canal and make it more likely to get impacted. Your ear might hurt, itch, discharge gunk, or get infected. You could even lose your hearing for a while.

You can treat mildly impacted ears at home with over-the-counter ear drops that soften the wax so it can naturally drain. Or go see your doctor if the wax has hardened. She can get the wax out without damaging the eardrum. Learn more about earwax.

Most of the time, your ear does a great job of keeping pressure equal on both sides of your eardrum. That little pop you feel when you swallow is part of the process. But quick changes, like when you’re on an airplane or in an elevator, can throw off the balance. Your ear might hurt, and you could have trouble hearing. This is typically a eustachian tube dysfunction which can be a chronic in some people.

To avoid problems on a plane:

• Chew gum, suck on hard candy, or yawn and swallow during takeoff and landing.
• Stay awake while the plane descends.
• Take a deep breath, pinch your nostrils shut, then gently try to blow air out of your nose.
• Avoid air travel and diving when you have a cold, a sinus infection, or allergy symptoms.

Learn more about air pressure and your ears.

If your ear hurts when you pull on your earlobe or push on the tiny flap that closes it, you probably have this outer ear infection. You get it when water trapped in your ear canal begins to breed germs. Your ear might get red, swollen, or itch and leak pus. It isn’t contagious. To avoid it, keep your ears dry during and after swimming. Your doctor will probably prescribe antibiotic ear drops to clear it up. Learn more about swimmer’s ear.

A cold, allergies, or a sinus infection can block the tubes in your middle ear. When fluid builds up and gets infected, your doctor will call it otitis media. This is the most common cause of ear pain. If your doctor thinks the cause is a bacteria, she may prescribe antibiotics. If not, then she may recommend a decongestant allergy treatment with an antihistamine and a nasal steroid. Let her know if your pain doesn’t improve or returns. If it isn’t treated, a middle ear infection can spread or cause hearing loss. Learn more about ear infection treatments.

You may feel pain in your ears even when the source is somewhere else in your body, like a toothache. That’s because the nerves in your face and neck pass very close to your inner ear. Doctors call this type of pain that starts in one area but is felt in another “referred pain.”

If your earache comes with a severe sore throat, it could be an infection like tonsillitis or pharyngitis. In fact, ear pain is often the worst symptom of one of these conditions. Learn more about sore throat symptoms.

Tooth abscesses, cavities, and impacted molars also can cause ear pain. Your doctor will be able to tell if your teeth are to blame by tapping on a tooth or your gums to see if they feel sore. Learn more about toothaches.

The temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, is the “hinge” of your jaw that sits directly below your ears. You might get TMJ pain from grinding your teeth, or it could be a symptom of arthritis. The ache in your ears or face comes after you chew, talk, or yawn. To treat it, take over-the-counter pain medicine and put warm compresses on your jaw. Try not to clench your teeth. You may benefit from using a mouth guard when you sleep. This can help ease the tension that causes ear pain. Eating soft foods will help, too. Learn more about causes of jaw pain.

Some causes of ear pain can be serious such as tumors or infections, including cellulitis or shingles. If your ear pain is severe, doesn’t go away within a few days of home treatment, or comes with a high fever or sore throat, or you get a new rash, visit your doctor right away for treatment and to rule out something more serious.

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Why Does My Ear Hurt? 7 Possible Causes of Ear Pain

Written by Stacey Jones, MS, BA

• Earwax
• Air Pressure
• Swimmer’s Ear
• Middle Ear Infection
• Other Causes

Parents know how common earaches are in children, but adults can get frequent ear pain, too. You don’t have to have an infection, or even anything wrong with your ears, to have ear pain.

These are the most common causes:

Your ear makes and gets rid of wax all the time. When the process doesn’t work well, the gunk builds up and hardens so your ear canal gets blocked. Your doctor will call this impacted wax. Sometimes, it causes pain.

Don’t use cotton swabs or other objects to try to get wax out. You’ll just push it farther into your ear canal and make it more likely to get impacted. Your ear might hurt, itch, discharge gunk, or get infected. You could even lose your hearing for a while.

You can treat mildly impacted ears at home with over-the-counter ear drops that soften the wax so it can naturally drain. Or go see your doctor if the wax has hardened. She can get the wax out without damaging the eardrum. Learn more about earwax.

Most of the time, your ear does a great job of keeping pressure equal on both sides of your eardrum. That little pop you feel when you swallow is part of the process. But quick changes, like when you’re on an airplane or in an elevator, can throw off the balance. Your ear might hurt, and you could have trouble hearing. This is typically a eustachian tube dysfunction which can be a chronic in some people.

To avoid problems on a plane:

• Chew gum, suck on hard candy, or yawn and swallow during takeoff and landing.
• Stay awake while the plane descends.
• Take a deep breath, pinch your nostrils shut, then gently try to blow air out of your nose.
• Avoid air travel and diving when you have a cold, a sinus infection, or allergy symptoms.

Learn more about air pressure and your ears.

If your ear hurts when you pull on your earlobe or push on the tiny flap that closes it, you probably have this outer ear infection. You get it when water trapped in your ear canal begins to breed germs. Your ear might get red, swollen, or itch and leak pus. It isn’t contagious. To avoid it, keep your ears dry during and after swimming. Your doctor will probably prescribe antibiotic ear drops to clear it up. Learn more about swimmer’s ear.

A cold, allergies, or a sinus infection can block the tubes in your middle ear. When fluid builds up and gets infected, your doctor will call it otitis media. This is the most common cause of ear pain. If your doctor thinks the cause is a bacteria, she may prescribe antibiotics. If not, then she may recommend a decongestant allergy treatment with an antihistamine and a nasal steroid. Let her know if your pain doesn’t improve or returns. If it isn’t treated, a middle ear infection can spread or cause hearing loss. Learn more about ear infection treatments.

You may feel pain in your ears even when the source is somewhere else in your body, like a toothache. That’s because the nerves in your face and neck pass very close to your inner ear. Doctors call this type of pain that starts in one area but is felt in another “referred pain.”

If your earache comes with a severe sore throat, it could be an infection like tonsillitis or pharyngitis. In fact, ear pain is often the worst symptom of one of these conditions. Learn more about sore throat symptoms.

Tooth abscesses, cavities, and impacted molars also can cause ear pain. Your doctor will be able to tell if your teeth are to blame by tapping on a tooth or your gums to see if they feel sore. Learn more about toothaches.

The temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, is the “hinge” of your jaw that sits directly below your ears. You might get TMJ pain from grinding your teeth, or it could be a symptom of arthritis. The ache in your ears or face comes after you chew, talk, or yawn. To treat it, take over-the-counter pain medicine and put warm compresses on your jaw. Try not to clench your teeth. You may benefit from using a mouth guard when you sleep. This can help ease the tension that causes ear pain. Eating soft foods will help, too. Learn more about causes of jaw pain.

Some causes of ear pain can be serious such as tumors or infections, including cellulitis or shingles. If your ear pain is severe, doesn’t go away within a few days of home treatment, or comes with a high fever or sore throat, or you get a new rash, visit your doctor right away for treatment and to rule out something more serious.

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Ear pain: causes and treatment

The article was checked by a doctor: Kogan Elena Lvovna

Anatomy of the ear

The ear is a paired organ located in the temporal bones of the skull. Its main function is the perception of sound, the position of the body in space and the maintenance of balance.

The ear is made up of three sections:

• Outer ear. Forms the auricle and external auditory canal. Picks up sound vibrations and transmits them to the middle ear.

• Middle ear. It is formed by the tympanic cavity and three auditory ossicles: anvil, stirrup and malleus. Picks up sounds from the outer ear and amplifies them.

• Inner ear. It contains the cochlea, semicircular canals and vestibular apparatus. Perceives sound vibrations, and transmits auditory information to the cortex of the temporal lobe of the brain.

The structure and function of each part of the ear is different. Any pathological processes in all three departments also proceed differently.

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Causes of pain in the ears

Ear pain has a different intensity (from moderate to severe), duration (from short-term to permanent), character (sharp, dull, shooting, spreading to neighboring areas). Separately, there is an acute form of pain, lasting about 10 days, and chronic, which can be permanent or episodic. At the place of occurrence, there is one- and two-sided pain in the ear.

Otalgia occurs for various reasons. In 80% of cases, pain is associated with infectious and inflammatory diseases of the ear, throat and nose. Due to the anatomical proximity, inflammation of one of these organs provokes pain in other adjacent cavities.

Most often, pain inside the ear is a symptom of otolaryngological diseases:

• otitis,

• mastoiditis,

• eustachitis,

• boil,

• sulfur plug,

• ear tumors,

• boil,

• myringitis,

• otomycosis.

The patient experiences pain in the ear with craniocerebral injuries, the ingress of a foreign body into the ear canal. Otalgia can be a non-specific manifestation of mumps, neurological disorders, dental diseases, and nasopharyngeal cancer.

Otitis

This is inflammation in different parts of the ear of an acute or chronic course. It is equally common in children and adults. The disease is provoked by various infections, more often these are influenza viruses and SARS, pneumococcus, candida (fungi). The likelihood of developing otitis media increases after surgical operations in the nasal cavity and nasopharynx, with immunodeficiency states, adenoids.

The first sign is pain in the ear of a different nature: throbbing, shooting, aching. The pain is often unilateral, but there is also bilateral inflammation. Simultaneously with otalgia, there is a general malaise, high temperature, tinnitus, hearing loss.

Pain inside the ear appears different variants of the inflammatory process:

• Otitis externa. The pain is throbbing, intense, gives to the neck, eyes and teeth, intensifies during conversation and chewing. On examination, a reddened auricle and the visible part of the ear canal are found. Hearing, as a rule, is not disturbed.

• Otitis media. The disease begins with a sudden shooting pain in the ear, which periodically worsens. Sometimes the pain is so pronounced that it disrupts the usual way of life and sleep. Painful sensations persist from one to three days, after which the tympanic membrane ruptures, and mucopurulent discharge comes out of the ear canal. At this moment, the patient’s condition stabilizes, body temperature normalizes, and the intensity of otalgia decreases. The eardrum heals slowly without hearing loss.

• Otitis media or labyrinthitis. A typical symptom of the disease is a severe sudden attack of dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. Some patients complain of noise and ringing in the ears. Otalgia is moderate, and is more felt in the temporal zone. Hearing is usually reduced.

With the unfavorable development of otitis media, pus does not pour outward, but inward, which is dangerous with irreversible hearing loss, inflammation of the temporal bone, brain abscess (formation of a purulent cavity), meningitis (inflammation of the membranes of the spinal cord and brain).

A separate place among the causes of otalgia is occupied by diffuse otitis externa (swimmer’s ear). This is an inflammation of the external acoustic canal, with possible damage to the auricle and tympanic membrane, due to water entering the ear.

The main signs of the disease:

• discharge from the ear of different consistency and color;

• itching in the ear canal;

• throbbing pain inside the ear, which spreads to the upper and lower jaw, temporal zone.

Pressure on the ear, pulling on the lobe, chewing increase the pain. The general condition usually does not worsen, there are no signs of intoxication. Sometimes the parotid lymph nodes are enlarged.

Eustachitis or tubootitis

This is an inflammatory lesion of the auditory (Eustachian) tube, which leads to a violation or complete cessation of air flow into the tympanic cavity. Eustachitis is characterized by unilateral, rarely bilateral pain, hearing loss, a feeling of pressure and fullness in the ear canal. Some patients feel heaviness in the head, a feeling of overflowing liquid when moving the head, increased perception of one’s own voice. Symptoms of intoxication and high body temperature indicate the development of purulent tubo-otitis.

Mastoiditis

This is an infectious inflammation of the mastoid process of the temporal bone, which is located behind the auricle. Usually, mastoiditis occurs as a complication of otitis media, and develops 7–14 days after its onset. It starts with headache, temperature, intoxication. In parallel, there is pain inside the ear and behind the ear, hearing loss, a feeling of pulsation in the ear canal. On examination, the behind-the-ear area is reddened and edematous, the auricle protrudes, and there is a copious outflow of pus from the ear.

Injuries

Ear injuries occur for various reasons: a blow with a blunt object, a foreign object, a bullet and knife wound, a burn, damage during medical procedures. Often, the outer ear is injured due to its unprotected anatomical position, less often the tympanic membrane, ear canal, middle and inner ear.

Ear pain is the main symptom of any injury. The pain has a different intensity, from minor discomfort to unbearable. Other symptoms depend on the nature and extent of the damage. Trauma of the auricle is accompanied by the formation of a hematoma, bleeding, hearing loss. Damage to the eardrum is characterized by tinnitus, the release of perilymph (a viscous fluid that is involved in the conduction of sound vibrations).

If an ear injury is one of the consequences of a traumatic brain injury, then headache, dizziness, nausea, flushing of the face, tinnitus and coordination disorder come to the fore. The pain is felt not only inside the ear, but also radiates to the temporal part, the mastoid process. Possible external bleeding.

Diseases of the teeth

Running inflammation of the tissues surrounding the tooth (pulpitis, periodontitis, periodontal disease), deep caries of chewing teeth provoke painful sensations inside the ear. The pain is intense, constant, throbbing, radiating to the neck and temple. Patients simultaneously experience nasal congestion, headache.

Help! A characteristic sign of otalgia on the background of diseases of the teeth is an increase in pain inside the ear when pressing on the diseased tooth.

Sulfur Plug

With an increase in the amount of earwax formation, it accumulates and thickens in the bone part of the external auditory canal. The presence of sulfur plug leads to blockage of the ear canal. For a long time, there are no symptoms, until the auditory canal is completely blocked. Clinically, this is manifested by hearing loss, ear congestion, noise and pain inside the ear. If the sulfur plug puts pressure on the eardrum, then the general condition is complicated by dizziness, headache and nausea.

Mumps (mumps)

This is an infection of the salivary glands and nervous tissue. Has a similar clinic with otitis media and eustachitis. A typical symptom is inflammation of the salivary glands, their swelling and soreness. There is pain and swelling in the parotid region. Unpleasant sensations are aggravated at night, when chewing, pressing behind the earlobe. Disturbs the noise inside the ear, sometimes hearing is reduced.

Concomitant symptoms – general weakness, chills, malaise, dry mouth, fever. The oval of the face is deformed, pear-shaped.

Neurological disorders

Neuralgia of the ear node is characterized by bouts of otalgia in the parotid region and inside the ear from the side of the lesion. The pain is intense, burning, throbbing, spreading to the back of the head, ear, shoulder girdle and lower jaw, sometimes even to the arm and upper chest. Hearing is not broken.

The attack of pain lasts from several minutes to an hour, and even more. During an attack, increased salivation is observed, which is not observed in the interictal period. Reception of hot food, stress, hypothermia increase painful sensations.

With neuralgia of the glossopharyngeal nerve, pain is felt at the root of the tongue, but often also radiates to the ear. Chewing, coughing, taking cold and hot food, drinks provoke a painful attack.

Tumors of the ear

Neoplasms are benign and malignant. Predominantly occur in the outer and middle ear. For a long time they do not manifest themselves clinically. For the first time, painful sensations in the ear occur at the time of active growth of the neoplasm, which puts pressure on the surrounding tissues.

A tumor in the tympanic membrane compresses the vestibule of the ear, which causes neurological disorders: dizziness, lack of coordination, involuntary oscillatory eye movements.

Malignant tumors of the ears are characterized by burning and baking pain, similar to a burn. At first, the pain is episodic, but as the neoplasm grows, it becomes permanent and radiates to the temple. Another characteristic sign of oncopathology is purulent bloody discharge from the ear.

Foreign body in the ear

The presence of a foreign object in the ear canal is accompanied by arching pain. The pain is constant, not stopped by painkillers, ear drops. A foreign body disrupts the ventilation and pressure of the auditory tube, which leads to a feeling of pressure and congestion, and a decrease in hearing acuity.

Injury to the ear canal with a sharp object can cause bleeding. Rarely, patients experience dizziness and headache.

Long-term presence of a foreign body in the ear canal is complicated by the inflammatory process. In this case, the intensity of pain increases, acquires a pulsating character, mucopurulent discharge from the ear appears.

Furuncle

This is a purulent inflammation of the sebaceous gland or hair follicle of a part of the outer ear, the auricle. The disease begins with itching and discomfort inside the ear. Then there is a feeling of fullness, pressure, and only then does pain appear. The pain is pulsating, is of a constant nature, spreads to the temporal and occipital zone, neck and head. Any touch, chewing increases the intensity of pain.

The skin of the auricle and the visible part of the auditory canal is swollen and reddened. The purulent-inflammatory process disrupts the ventilation of the auditory canal, which causes hearing loss. There is also an intoxication syndrome, fever, febrile temperature. Relief brings a breakthrough of the abscess, which on average occurs 5-7 days after the onset of the disease. After that, suppuration appears, a decrease in the severity of pain, an improvement in hearing and general condition.

Myringitis

This is an acute or chronic inflammation of the eardrum. It often occurs as a complication of other ear diseases. The first symptom is severe unilateral throbbing pain inside the ear. It intensifies when chewing, is practically not stopped by painkillers, disturbs sleep.

In some patients, instead of otalgia, discomfort and a feeling of heaviness in the ear canal are felt. In parallel, hearing acuity decreases, ear congestion occurs. There is a small amount of serous discharge from the ear canal.

Otomycosis

This is a fungal infection that most often affects the middle and outer ear. Pathology has no specific signs, and is manifested by otalgia, noise and congestion in the ear, expiration of secretions, and a decrease in the quality of hearing. Puffiness of the skin of the outer ear develops, partial or complete overlap of the auditory lumen, the temporomandibular joint and the parotid gland become inflamed.

Help! At risk for the occurrence of otomycosis are those who go in for swimming, have undergone organ surgery or surgical treatment of mastoiditis.

Cancer of the nasopharynx

This is a malignant tumor of the nasal part of the pharynx. Usually the disease debuts at the age of over 50 years. The reasons are not exactly clear. Risk factors include alcohol abuse, smoking, chronic rhinosinusitis, infection with the Epstein-Barr virus (herpesvirus type 4), and hereditary predisposition.

In the nasopharyngeal region, sarcoma, carcinoma and other types of malignant neoplasms can occur. The clinical picture depends on the stage of cancer and the presence of metastases. In the early period, asymptomatic course is possible.

As the disease progresses, signs from the ear, throat and nose appear:

• nasal congestion,

• nasal bleeding,

• nasality,

• the presence of painful compaction in the nasopharynx,

• Ear ache,

• hearing loss,

• noise and ringing in the ears.

Ear pain is more often unilateral from the side of the localization of the tumor, it is felt simultaneously in the zone of the lower jaw and tongue. There is a gradual violation of the perception of speech and surrounding sounds.

The patient’s condition is aggravated by neurological disorders: headache, dizziness, chewing and speech disorders, paralysis of the facial muscles. Usually, in cancer of the nasopharynx, metastases affect the lungs, liver, and bones.

Diagnosis of causes of ear pain

Get expert advice:

• ENT (otolaryngologist)
• ENT for children (otolaryngologist)

A person who has an earache needs to consult an otolaryngologist. Children under 18 are under the supervision of a pediatrician or pediatric otolaryngologist.

A preliminary diagnosis is made after examining the external auditory canal, nasopharynx, oropharynx, paranasal sinuses visually and using endoscopic equipment. From a conversation with the patient, the doctor specifies the conditions for the onset of pain and frequency, a possible antecedent factor, and other accompanying symptoms.

To study the cause of otalgia and choose further treatment tactics, laboratory and instrumental diagnostics is carried out:

• Otoscopy. Examination of the external auditory canal and tympanic membrane with the help of special instruments and a lighting device. With the destruction of the tympanic membrane, the middle ear is available for examination.

• Audiometry. This is the definition of hearing acuity and auditory sensitivity in different ways: speech, computer, tonal.

• X-ray of the temporal bone. The study makes it possible to study in detail the structure of all structures of the ear, to identify inflammation, tumors, bone fractures.

• bacteriological analysis. The biological material from the ear canal is examined for the presence of infection, the resistance of the pathogen to antibacterial drugs is determined.

• General and biochemical analysis of blood. The results reflect the presence of infection, allergies, inflammation in the body.

• CT scan of the skull, MRI of the brain. Assign after traumatic brain injury, fracture of the skull, to clarify the localization of the tumor and a foreign object.

If necessary, a consultation of other specialists is prescribed – a traumatologist, neurologist, oncologist, dentist, and additional studies.

Ear pain treatment

The choice of treatment tactics depends on the underlying disease, the severity of the symptoms. In the acute period of infectious and inflammatory diseases, all patients are recommended to rest, half-bed and bed rest, drink plenty of water, and have a sparing diet.

First aid before diagnosis

Self-treatment is unacceptable, because due to the anatomical proximity of the ear, the brain and skull bones are quickly involved in the pathological process. With unbearable intense pain before a visit to the otolaryngologist, it is permissible to use drops with an anesthetic effect or painkillers in tablets.

Important! Drops are contraindicated if ear pain occurs after an injury.

Conservative treatment

As a symptomatic treatment to reduce the intensity of pain, different drugs are used:

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. They have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, normalize body temperature.

• Ear drops. Anti-inflammatory and antiseptic agents are prescribed. They well disinfect the mucous membranes, eliminate the sensation of a foreign body in the ear canal, relieve inflammation.

• Antiallergic drugs. They are necessary for infectious and inflammatory diseases, as they inhibit the production of mediators of inflammation and pain. These are first-line drugs for allergic diseases. Assign in the form of tablets and drops.

• Antibiotics. It is used for bacterial infections, and is not effective for treating complications of viral diseases. Take a course of 5-10 days. After cancellation, a control bacteriological culture is done to monitor the effectiveness of treatment. With candidiasis, antifungal drugs are needed.

• Vitamins and immunomodulators. They help to fill the deficiency of vitamins, micro- and macroelements, stimulate the protective mechanism, accelerate the recovery time.

If ear pain is a symptom of neurological diseases, then neurometabolic stimulants, metabolic drugs are needed. In the presence of external or otitis media, an ear toilet is performed. Cotton is wound around the probe and pus is collected from the ear canal, after which the passage becomes clean and dry.

In the process of treating infection, inflammation of the ear, throat and nose, physiotherapy methods are effective:

With otitis, sensorineural hearing loss at the stage of recovery, pneumomassage of the tympanic membrane is performed – the supply of pulses of different amplitudes and frequencies.

Surgical treatment

With purulent otitis media, myringotomy is performed to create conditions for the outflow of pus, eliminate inflammation and the consequences of a purulent process. In various ways (with a radio wave knife, a laser scalpel), a small incision is made in the eardrum, the purulent contents are removed, and washed with antibacterial drugs.

The ineffectiveness of drug therapy, chronic otitis media are indications for atticoanthrotomy. This is an opening of the mastoid process of the temporal bone and the epitympanic space in order to remove pathological tissues in the middle ear region.

The consequences of middle ear injuries are eliminated with the help of reconstructive operations:

• myringoplasty – restoration of the integrity of the tympanic membrane with a piece of skin that is taken behind the auricle;

• mastoidoplasty – overlapping of the defect of the mastoid process with a muscular-fascial flap, bone or cartilage tissue;

• tympanoplasty – closing the perforation hole with a thin skin flap.

In case of violations and purulent processes in the inner ear, a number of operations are performed:

• decompression – drainage through the middle ear;

• laser destruction – destruction of vestibular receptors by laser pulses;

• labyrinthectomy – opening of the semicircular canals of the labyrinth.

Tumors, polyps and fistulas inside the ear are subject to surgical removal. When a boil is formed, it is also opened.

If the disease and ear injury are complicated by hearing loss, the patient is fitted with a hearing aid or an electronic system is installed in the cochlea of ​​the inner ear to stimulate the intact structures of the auditory nerve (cochlear implantation).

Prophylaxis

Since the leading cause of pain inside the ear is infectious and inflammatory diseases, the list of preventive measures includes measures to prevent the spread of infection and strengthen immunity:

• physical activity,

• fortified food,

• regular physical activity,

• alternation of work and rest,

• alcohol restriction.

It is also recommended to use bathing caps while swimming, properly perform the toilet of the ear, wear a hat in the cold season.

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Why does my ear hurt? The main causes of ear pain. Ear shoots: what to do?

Author

Mishchenko Natalya Sergeevna

Leading physician

ENT

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Pain in the ear – an extremely unpleasant symptom. It can be a dull pain in the ear, throbbing, or, conversely, acute and sudden.

Why does my ear hurt?

Possible causes of ear pain

Ear pain is most commonly associated with inflammation of either the outer ear (pinna and auditory canal up to the eardrum) or the middle ear (tympanic cavity just behind the eardrum). In this case, one speaks, respectively, of external or otitis media . If the auricle hurts, then most likely the cause of this is a bacterial or fungal infection that has entered the wound or the mouth of the sebaceous gland. Sometimes both the ear and the throat hurt at the same time. And this is not surprising: the ear is connected to the nasopharynx, and through the auditory tube, the infection can get from the nasopharynx to the middle ear, and then the inflammation that causes pain develops simultaneously in the throat and ear.

However, often the ear hurts for other reasons. In children, ear pain is sometimes associated with entry into the auditory canal foreign objects . If this happens, you should not try to remove the object that has fallen into the ear on your own – you can damage the eardrum or injure the ear.

The thick earwax plug can also cause discomfort and pain.

Another possible cause of acute pain is tympanic membrane rupture .

There are quite common cases when pain felt in the ear indicates a disease of other organs. Doctors call such pain radiating, and people say that the pain “gives to the ear.”

Similar pains can occur with sinusitis (inflammation of the sinuses), arthritis of the jaw joint, inflammation of the trigeminal nerve.

With caries of the extreme teeth in an advanced stage, when the nerve or tissues adjacent to the tooth are inflamed, the pain often radiates to the ear, temple and neck. You can recognize the “dental origin” of pain by the fact that it intensifies when you press on the aching tooth, as well as when you take cold or hot food.

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Ear hurts: what to do?

Earache

With ear pain, the main thing is not to self-medicate. Trying to determine the cause of ear pain on your own, it is easy to make a mistake. It is not always clear even where the source of pain is located – in the auditory canal or the tympanic chamber. Therefore, it is dangerous to start treatment without consulting a doctor – you can treat something else, but a disease left to itself, in the meantime, can take a more severe form.

If the pain in the ear has not gone away within two days, or if it bothers you especially, you should contact an ENT.