Why does the outside of your ear hurt. What are the possible causes of ear pain. How can you identify and treat different types of ear discomfort. When should you seek medical attention for ear pain.

Understanding Earwax Buildup and Its Impact on Ear Health

Earwax, while often overlooked, plays a crucial role in ear health. It’s a natural substance produced by the body to protect the ear canal from dust, debris, and potential infections. However, when earwax accumulates excessively, it can lead to discomfort and pain.

How does earwax buildup occur? The ear typically has a self-cleaning mechanism, but sometimes this process can be disrupted. Factors such as the use of cotton swabs, hearing aids, or even the shape of your ear canal can contribute to wax accumulation.

Can earwax buildup cause pain? Indeed, when earwax becomes impacted, it can press against the sensitive skin of the ear canal, leading to pain, itching, or a feeling of fullness in the ear. In some cases, it may even affect hearing.

Dealing with Earwax Buildup

• Avoid using cotton swabs or other objects to remove earwax, as this can push the wax deeper into the canal
• Try over-the-counter ear drops designed to soften earwax
• Consider professional earwax removal by a healthcare provider if home remedies don’t work

Is it safe to remove earwax at home? While mild cases of earwax buildup can be addressed with over-the-counter solutions, it’s important to exercise caution. Aggressive attempts at home removal can damage the delicate structures of the ear. If you’re unsure or experiencing persistent symptoms, it’s best to consult a healthcare professional.

The Impact of Air Pressure Changes on Ear Comfort

Air pressure changes can significantly affect ear comfort, particularly during air travel, diving, or even when riding in elevators. The ear’s ability to equalize pressure on both sides of the eardrum is crucial for comfort and proper function.

How does air pressure affect the ears? The eustachian tubes, which connect the middle ear to the back of the throat, play a key role in equalizing pressure. When these tubes don’t function properly or when pressure changes occur rapidly, it can lead to discomfort, pain, or temporary hearing loss.

Strategies to Minimize Ear Discomfort During Air Travel

1. Chew gum or swallow frequently during takeoff and landing
2. Stay awake during descent to actively manage ear pressure
3. Use the Valsalva maneuver: gently blow out while pinching your nostrils closed
4. Consider using filtered earplugs designed for air travel

Does ear pain from air pressure changes indicate a problem? In most cases, ear discomfort from pressure changes is temporary and harmless. However, if you experience severe pain, persistent symptoms, or difficulty hearing after air travel, it’s advisable to consult a healthcare provider.

Swimmer’s Ear: Causes, Symptoms, and Prevention

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 get it. Any exposure to moisture that allows bacteria to thrive in the ear canal can lead to this condition.

How does swimmer’s ear develop? The condition typically occurs when water remains in the ear after swimming or bathing, creating a moist environment ideal for bacterial growth. Excessive cleaning or scratching of the ear canal can also increase the risk of infection.

Recognizing Swimmer’s Ear Symptoms

• Pain or discomfort when touching the outer ear
• Itching in the ear canal
• Redness or swelling of the outer ear
• Drainage of clear, odorless fluid

How is swimmer’s ear treated? Treatment typically involves antibiotic ear drops prescribed by a healthcare provider. In some cases, oral antibiotics may be necessary for more severe infections. It’s crucial to keep the ear dry during the healing process.

Preventing Swimmer’s Ear

1. Dry ears thoroughly after swimming or bathing
2. Use earplugs or a swim cap when swimming
3. Avoid inserting objects into the ear canal
4. Consider using alcohol-based ear drops after swimming

Can swimmer’s ear resolve on its own? While mild cases might improve without treatment, it’s generally recommended to seek medical attention. Prompt treatment can prevent the infection from worsening and reduce the risk of complications.

Middle Ear Infections: A Common Cause of Ear Pain

Middle ear infections, or otitis media, are among the most frequent causes of ear pain, especially in children. These infections occur in the space behind the eardrum, often as a result of viral or bacterial infections.

What causes middle ear infections? Common triggers include colds, allergies, or sinus infections that lead to inflammation and fluid buildup in the middle ear. The eustachian tubes, which normally drain fluid from this area, can become blocked, creating an environment conducive to infection.

Identifying Middle Ear Infection Symptoms

• Ear pain or discomfort
• Difficulty hearing or muffled hearing
• Fever, especially in children
• Drainage from the ear in case of eardrum rupture

How are middle ear infections treated? Treatment approaches vary depending on the severity and cause of the infection. Mild cases may resolve on their own, while others might require antibiotics. Pain relievers and warm compresses can help manage discomfort.

Can middle ear infections cause long-term problems? While most middle ear infections resolve without complications, recurrent or untreated infections can potentially lead to hearing loss or other more serious issues. It’s important to monitor symptoms and seek medical attention when necessary.

Referred Pain: When Ear Pain Originates Elsewhere

Ear pain doesn’t always originate in the ear itself. In some cases, pain felt in the ear may actually be referred pain from another part of the body. This phenomenon occurs due to the complex network of nerves that connect various parts of the head and neck.

What conditions can cause referred ear pain? Several issues can manifest as ear pain, including:

• Dental problems such as tooth abscesses or impacted molars
• Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders
• Throat infections like tonsillitis or pharyngitis
• Cervical spine issues

How can you distinguish between ear-related and referred pain? While it can be challenging to differentiate, referred pain often coincides with symptoms in the originating area. For instance, ear pain accompanied by tooth sensitivity might indicate a dental issue. A thorough examination by a healthcare provider can help pinpoint the true source of the discomfort.

Managing Referred Ear Pain

1. Identify and treat the underlying cause
2. Use over-the-counter pain relievers as directed
3. Apply warm compresses to the affected area
4. Practice stress-reduction techniques, especially for TMJ-related pain

Does referred ear pain require different treatment than direct ear pain? Yes, the treatment approach for referred pain focuses on addressing the root cause rather than the ear itself. This might involve dental procedures, throat treatments, or physical therapy depending on the origin of the pain.

Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorders and Ear Discomfort

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects your jawbone to your skull, and problems with this joint can often manifest as ear pain. TMJ disorders are a group of conditions affecting the jaw joint and surrounding muscles, frequently leading to discomfort that radiates to the ears.

What causes TMJ disorders? Various factors can contribute to TMJ issues, including:

• Teeth grinding or clenching (bruxism)
• Arthritis in the jaw joint
• Stress-induced muscle tension
• Jaw injury or misalignment

How does TMJ disorder relate to ear pain? The close proximity of the TMJ to the ear structures means that inflammation or misalignment of the joint can put pressure on nearby nerves, leading to pain that’s felt in or around the ear.

Identifying TMJ-Related Ear Pain

1. Pain or tenderness in the jaw area
2. Clicking or popping sounds when opening or closing the mouth
3. Difficulty or discomfort while chewing
4. Ear pain without signs of ear infection

Can TMJ disorders be treated at home? While severe cases may require professional intervention, mild TMJ discomfort can often be managed with self-care strategies:

• Apply warm compresses to relax jaw muscles
• Practice stress-reduction techniques
• Avoid hard or chewy foods
• Use over-the-counter pain relievers
• Consider wearing a night guard to prevent teeth grinding

When should you seek professional help for TMJ-related ear pain? If home remedies don’t provide relief, or if you experience persistent pain, limited jaw movement, or changes in your bite, it’s advisable to consult a healthcare provider or dentist specializing in TMJ disorders.

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

While many causes of ear pain are benign and can be managed at home, some conditions require prompt medical attention. Recognizing the signs of potentially serious issues is crucial for preventing complications and ensuring timely treatment.

What are some serious causes of ear pain? Severe or persistent ear pain may be indicative of more serious conditions, including:

• Mastoiditis (infection of the bone behind the ear)
• Cholesteatoma (abnormal skin growth in the middle ear)
• Malignant otitis externa (severe outer ear infection)
• Temporal arteritis (inflammation of blood vessels near the temples)
• Rare tumors or growths in the ear or surrounding structures

Warning Signs That Warrant Immediate Medical Attention

1. Severe, persistent ear pain unrelieved by over-the-counter medications
2. Sudden hearing loss or significant changes in hearing
3. Dizziness or vertigo accompanied by ear pain
4. Facial weakness or paralysis
5. High fever along with ear pain
6. Blood or pus draining from the ear

How are serious ear conditions diagnosed? Diagnosis typically involves a thorough physical examination, including an otoscopic exam of the ear. In some cases, additional tests such as CT scans, MRI, or specialized hearing tests may be necessary to determine the underlying cause.

Can serious ear conditions be prevented? While not all serious ear conditions are preventable, maintaining good ear hygiene, promptly treating ear infections, and avoiding insertion of objects into the ear canal can reduce the risk of some complications. Regular check-ups with a healthcare provider, especially if you have a history of ear problems, can also help in early detection and management of potential issues.

Treatment Approaches for Serious Ear Conditions

Treatment for serious ear conditions varies depending on the specific diagnosis but may include:

• Intravenous antibiotics for severe infections
• Surgical intervention for conditions like cholesteatoma or certain tumors
• Corticosteroids for inflammatory conditions
• Specialized treatments for conditions affecting the inner ear or surrounding structures

Is full recovery possible from serious ear conditions? The prognosis for serious ear conditions depends on the specific diagnosis and how quickly treatment is initiated. Many conditions, if caught early and treated appropriately, have good outcomes. However, some may lead to permanent changes in hearing or balance, underscoring the importance of prompt medical attention.

By understanding the various causes of ear pain and recognizing the signs that warrant immediate medical attention, individuals can better manage their ear health and seek appropriate care when needed. Remember, while many cases of ear pain are not serious, persistent or severe symptoms should always be evaluated by a healthcare professional to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment.

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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Swimmer’s Ear (Otitis Externa): Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment

Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors

• Why Do People Get Swimmer’s Ear?
• What Are the Symptoms of Swimmer’s Ear?
• How to Diagnose and Treat Swimmer’s Ear
• Swimmer’s Ear Complications
• When to Call Your Doctor

If you’re like a lot of folks, you probably think of swimmer’s ear as an unwelcome souvenir of a beach vacation. And while the painful ear condition is often linked to a dunk in the ocean or the pool, the truth is you can get it on dry land, too.

No matter how you got your swimmer’s ear, once you learn to recognize the signs, you have plenty of options to treat it.

Swimmer’s ear, which has the medical name of otitis externa, is an infection in your ear canal. That’s the tube that runs from the hole on the outside of your ear to your eardrum.

Swimmer’s ear is different from the common ear infection that your young child often gets after a cold. Those are middle ear infections, or “otitis media” in doctor speak, and they happen deeper in the ear, behind the eardrum.

Usually, swimmer’s ear is caused by bacteria, but it can sometimes be brought on by a virus or fungus. Symptoms you may get are:

• Itchiness in the ear
• Pain, which can become severe
• Trouble hearing (sound may seem muffled as your ear canal swells)
• Fluid or pus draining out of the ear

Here’s one way to tell which type of ear infection you have. If it hurts when you tug or press your ear, you may have swimmer’s ear.

Most of the time, your ear fights off the germs that cause swimmer’s ear on its own. You can thank your earwax for that. While it doesn’t get much respect, earwax helps protect the ear canal from damage and makes it hard for germs to grow.

But if the skin gets scratched, germs can get into your ear canal and cause an infection. Some common reasons you may get swimmer’s ear are:

Sticking stuff in your ear. If you use cotton swabs, fingers, hairpins, pen caps, or anything else to clean your ears, it can rub away the protective earwax or scratch your skin. Even ear buds, earplugs, and hearing aids can have this effect, especially if you use them a lot.

Moisture trapped in your ear. When water gets stuck in your ear canal after swimming — or after you soak in a hot tub or even take a shower or bath — it can remove some of the earwax and soften the skin, which makes it easier for germs to get in.

Humid weather and sweat can cause the same problem. Germs like a warm, wet place to grow, so moisture trapped in your ear is perfect for them.

Other things can play a role in swimmer’s ear, like:

Your age. While swimmer’s ear can happen to anyone, it’s most common in kids and early teenagers.

Narrow ear canals. Kids often have ear canals that are small and don’t drain as well.

Skin reactions and conditions. Sometimes hair products, cosmetics, and jewelry can irritate your skin and raise the odds of getting swimmer’s ear. So can skin problems like eczema and psoriasis.

Whether you got your swimmer’s ear after a dunk in the pool or because an infection set in while you were on dry land, the symptoms are the same. You may notice things like:

• Itchy feeling inside your ear
• Pain in the ear, which can be severe
• Your ear hurts when you move your head or gently pull on your earlobe
• Tenderness inside your ear
• Fluid drains out of the ear
• A bad-smelling, yellowish discharge from the ear
• You don’t hear as well (things sound muffled)

If you have ear pain, don’t wait — see your doctor right away. Getting treatment quickly can stop an infection from getting worse.

During your appointment, your doctor will look in your ear and may gently clean it out. This will help treatments work better.

Then, you’ll probably get eardrops that may have antibiotics, steroids, or other ingredients to fight the infection and help with swelling. In some cases, you may need to take antibiotic pills, too.

Most of the time, swimmer’s ear starts to feel better within 2 days of starting treatment. But sometimes, it can get worse or lead to other problems, such as:

Long-term swimmer’s ear (chronic otitis externa). This is when swimmer’s ear doesn’t go away within 3 months. It can happen if you have hard-to-treat bacteria, fungus, allergies, or skin conditions like psoriasis or eczema. Your doctor may need to test a sample of any fluid in your ear to help you decide on the best treatment.

Other infections. Sometimes, the bacteria can spread deeper into your skin or to other parts of your body. One rare condition is malignant otitis externa, which happens when the infection moves into bone and cartilage in your head. It’s a medical emergency, and it’s most common in older people with diabetes and people with HIV or other immune system problems.

Treatment for these infections is with more powerful antibiotics, either by mouth or through a needle (IV).

Always check with your doctor if you see any signs of an ear infection. Call if you feel dizzy or have ringing in your ears, which means you may have a more serious problem that needs to get checked out.

Also call your doctor if you have:

Severe pain. They can suggest medicine that can give you relief.

Rash on your scalp or near your ear. You may have seborrheic dermatitis or herpes zoster (shingles). Your doctor can recommend treatment.

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Otitis externa – causes, symptoms, treatment

What is otitis externa?

This is an inflammation of the tissues of the external auditory canal, eardrum and auricle. Otitis externa is widespread. It is considered acute if it lasts less than 4 weeks, chronic if it lasts longer and/or recurs more than 4 times a year.

IMPORTANT! Information from the article cannot be used for self-diagnosis and self-treatment! Only a doctor can prescribe the necessary examinations, establish a diagnosis and draw up a treatment plan for a consultation!

Symptoms of otitis externa

There are three degrees of severity of otitis externa.

• Mild otitis externa: itching in the ear canal, redness inside the ear, unpleasant sensations in the ear, which are aggravated by pressure on the auricle or tragus (a small protrusion in the center of the auricle). A little clear, odorless liquid may come out of the ear.
• Moderate otitis externa: itching becomes worse, the ear hurts, there is obvious redness inside, the discharge increases, pus may appear. The auditory canal is felt as if filled as a result of edema and retention of the discharge.
• Diffuse (diffuse) otitis externa: severe pain in the ear, radiating to the neck, temple, cheek; the auditory canal is completely blocked; the auricle becomes red and swollen, as are the lymph nodes in the neck. The temperature is elevated, sometimes significantly.

When to go to the doctor?

See a doctor even if you have mild otitis externa. If you have severe pain and a fever, you should call an ambulance or go to the hospital immediately.

Causes of otitis externa

• water that enters the ear when swimming is a breeding ground for bacteria;
• picking the ears with fingers, cleaning them with cotton swabs. As a result, a person damages the thin surface of the skin of the ear canal, which makes it vulnerable to infections;
• eczema, seborrhea, neurodermatitis, local skin irritation (from insect bites, etc.), allergy to earrings or hair products – may cause non-infectious external otitis media.

Otitis externa risk

• The habit of cleaning the ears with cotton swabs, sticks, fingers.
• Frequent swimming, especially in natural waters where the water is not purified.
• Narrow ear canal, eg in children.
• Wearing headphones, hearing aids.

Possible complications of otitis externa

As a rule, otitis externa does not cause complications and is easily treated. However, if complications do occur, they can be as follows:

• temporary hearing loss in the affected ear. Passes after recovery from otitis media;
• chronic otitis externa. It usually occurs when there are difficulties with the treatment of otitis externa, for example, with fungal and mixed bacterial-fungal forms;
• spread of infection to deep tissues – cellulitis of the neck, lymphadenitis, osteomyelitis. Similar complications (malignant otitis media) can occur in patients with immunodeficiency conditions, diabetes, and those receiving chemotherapy. Such complications can be life-threatening.

How to prevent otitis externa?

• Gently dab your ear after bathing, but don’t rub anything on your ear canal.
• If water gets in your ear, you can shake it out by jumping on one leg and tilting your head to the same side. You can also dry the water in your ear with a hair dryer, setting it to the lowest setting and holding it about 30-40 cm from your ear.
• If you know that your eardrum has been damaged or punctured, you can use ear drops that will prevent bacteria from growing in your ear after water gets in.
• Do not swim in dirty waters.
• Do not get into the ear canal with a finger, a stick, a cotton swab or a swab – in a word, nothing.
• Protect your ears when using hairspray if you know it can irritate the skin inside the ear canal;
• If you have had ear surgery or ear infections, visit an ENT before swimming.

Diagnosis of otitis externa

Usually it is not difficult. Otitis externa is easily identified by its symptoms and the appearance of the ear and ear canal. The doctor may examine your ear with an otoscope. If he wants to make sure that the eardrum is not damaged, he can use a curette to clean the ear and take a deeper look.

If the otitis media is diffuse, the doctor may need additional diagnostics of the condition of the middle ear, determining the nature of the otitis media (bacterial or otherwise), etc.

Treatment of otitis externa

the passage to clear itself, as it happens normally.

• Cleaning and irrigation of the ear canal. As a rule, the doctor cleans it with a curette to free it from particles of skin, stuck earwax and dried discharge (serous or purulent). This is necessary so that the ear drops can spill to the entire depth of the ear canal.
• Ear drops prescribed by an ENT or general practitioner (GP). Usually these are drops with antibiotics and / or corticosteroids. For severe pain, analgesics may be used.
• In case of severe swelling of the external auditory canal, the doctor may first replace the drops with turunda soaked in medicine. When the edema subsides, it is easy to remove the turunda from the ear, and you can continue to be treated with drops.
• When applying cold drops, hold them in the palm of your hand for a while to reduce discomfort. After the drops are in your ear, lie down for a few minutes on your healthy side so that the drops are better absorbed. You can ask someone to administer the drops for you – it’s more convenient.
• If the infection is widespread, the doctor may prescribe oral antibiotics in addition to drops.

How to help the treatment?

• Don’t wear headphones while your ear hurts.
• Do not swim or dive. Avoid getting liquid in your ears.
• Avoid flying until you are cured.

You can sign up for a consultation by phone: + 7 812 327 03 01.

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Ear hurts – the causes of the appearance, in which diseases it occurs, diagnosis and methods of treatment.

Ear pain can be caused by diseases of different parts of the hearing organ, nearby organs, head injuries, and can also appear due to the spread of pain from other parts of the body. Such pain is caused by inflammatory, skin, neurological, dental, rheumatic, infectious pathologies.

The nature of such pain does not explain the cause of the disease. The doctor should evaluate the results of laboratory and instrumental examinations in order to clarify the diagnosis.

Types of pain in the ears

Most often, these pains are the result of otitis media – a disease of the outer, middle or inner ear.

Mastoiditis, arthritis of the temporomandibular joint, inflammation of the cervical lymph nodes – these are pathologies of nearby organs that often cause ear pain.

Ear pain can occur due to the spread of pain along the cranial nerves. For example, a toothache radiates through the auditory branch of the trigeminal nerve to the ears.

Traumatic rupture of the eardrum is the cause of ear pain due to damage from falls, blows to the head.

We will talk about the diseases that most often cause ear pain.

Possible causes

Mastoid pain

Mastoiditis, that is, purulent inflammation of the bone tissue of the mastoid process of the temporal bone, located behind the auricle, is the most characteristic complication of otitis media and a frequent consequence of its improper treatment.

Otitis externa pain

Otitis externa is an inflammation of the outer ear, which consists of the auricle, the external auditory canal and the tympanic membrane separating it from the middle ear. The main symptom of the disease is a boil – a purulent inflammation of the hair follicle that captures the sebaceous gland. Sometimes boils can appear after cleaning the ears too hard, when microtraumas form on the skin of the ear canal, through which the infection penetrates.

Pain in otitis media

Behind the tympanic membrane begins the middle section of the organ of hearing. It is a small, air-filled space in the temporal bone between the external auditory meatus and the inner ear.

There are three tiny bones here: the hammer, anvil, and stirrup. The eardrum vibrates under the influence of acoustic waves. The vibrations are transmitted to the bones. Through the oval window separating the middle and inner ear, the stirrup sends a signal to the fluid that fills the inner ear – the perilymph.

Otitis media begins as a complication not of otitis externa, but of acute respiratory infections, influenza, tonsillitis.

With these ailments, an excess amount of mucus is formed, which enters the Eustachian tube. The Eustachian tube connects the middle ear to the nasopharynx and equalizes air pressure in both directions. If this organ becomes inflamed, eustacheitis develops – a frequent companion of otitis media.

Otitis internal pain

Otitis media is also called labyrinthitis, because the inner ear is called a labyrinth because of its peculiar shape. Its main function is to conduct sound waves and convert them into electrical impulses for the brain. The cochlea, which is part of the labyrinth, belongs to the organ of hearing. The other two parts – the vestibule of the cochlea and the semicircular canals – to the organ of balance.

Labyrinthitis is usually a complication of otitis media.

Less commonly, this disease occurs as a result of microtrauma through the tympanic membrane and middle ear with sharp objects, which are sometimes recklessly cleaned ears, or as a result of damage to the temporal bone during head injuries.

What diseases occur

Mastoid pain

Ear pain is very severe, often covering half of the head on the side of the lesion, aggravated at night.

The remaining symptoms of mastoiditis occur in severe otitis media. These are noise in the ear, severe hearing loss, fever, a significant deterioration in the general condition, suppuration from the ear, detected during otoscopy.

Otitis externa pain

The pain gradually increases as the follicle matures, it can radiate to the jaw, neck, intensify when chewing and pressing on the tragus – a cartilaginous protrusion on the outer ear. The pain is accompanied by itching, a feeling of fullness in the ear. Hearing may deteriorate, body temperature may rise.

Pain in otitis media

Pulsating, aching, shooting, often radiating to the teeth and back of the head, earache usually appears with fever. Ear pain with otitis externa and otitis media is easy to distinguish. In the first case, it intensifies if you press on the tragus, in the second it remains unchanged.

Pain due to labyrinthitis

Such pain in the ear is accompanied by hearing loss, nausea and vomiting, dizziness, headaches, staggering when walking, involuntary twitching of the muscles of the eyeball.

Diagnostics and examinations

Otitis externa pain

Otoscopy – examination of the external auditory canal and eardrum by an ENT doctor using specialized instruments.

Pain in otitis media

Hearing assessment using an audiometric examination, including tuning fork tests. These are tests with tuning forks, which make it possible to determine whether hearing loss is associated with inflammation in the middle ear or with damage to the auditory nerve. Bacterial culture from the middle ear is performed to determine sensitivity to an extended spectrum of antimicrobials, radiography or CT of the temporal bone, as well as tympanometry, in which the mobility of the tympanic membrane is assessed.

Pain associated with labyrinthitis and mastoiditis

Audio and vestibulometric examinations, bacterial culture from the middle ear with the determination of sensitivity to an extended spectrum of antimicrobials, radiography or CT of the temporal bone.

The procedure in which the doctor removes material from the middle ear cavity for analysis is called tympanocentesis. This method, performed after local anesthesia, is also used to pump out pus from the middle ear cavity.

What should be done when pain occurs?

If you experience ear pain, see your doctor right away.

If the pain is accompanied by fever and hearing loss, do not go outside, call a doctor at home.

Which doctors should I contact?

Inflammatory skin diseases that cause otitis externa can be treated by a general practitioner or surgeon, but it is better to consult an ENT doctor. And only this specialist should treat otitis media and mastoiditis. An ENT doctor and a neurologist will help in the treatment of labyrinthitis.

Treatment

Mastoid pain

The basis of the treatment of mastoiditis, as well as labyrinthitis, is antibiotic therapy, which is prescribed only by a doctor. Depending on the severity of the disease, operations are used: puncture of the eardrum to ensure the outflow of pus; mastoidectomy (rarely) – removal of pus from the air cells of the mastoid process.

Otitis externa pain

The treatment of otitis externa is based on the use of drops, ointments, creams containing antiseptics in combination with anti-inflammatory and analgesic components. According to indications, surgical treatment is used (opening of mature boils).

Pain in otitis media

Drops with anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects are instilled into the ears, vasoconstrictor drops are instilled into the nose, reducing swelling of the nasopharynx and pharyngeal mouth of the Eustachian tube, and reducing the formation of mucus. The doctor may prescribe antibiotics. In the case of advanced otitis media, a puncture of the eardrum is used to free the middle ear cavity from pus.

Pain due to labyrinthitis

Labyrinthitis is treated only in a hospital by an otolaryngologist and a neurologist, and, if necessary, by an infectious disease specialist and a neurosurgeon. In addition to antibiotic therapy, a labyrinthotomy operation is often needed. This is the name of the opening by the surgeon of the semicircular canals of the ear labyrinth to ensure the outflow of pus and stop the infection from entering the cranial cavity.

Sources:

1. Clinical guidelines “Otitis externa” (children). Developed by: Union of Pediatricians of Russia, National Medical Association of Otorhinolaryngologists, Interregional Association for Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. – 2021.
2. Clinical guidelines “Otitis externa” (adults). Developed by: National Medical Association of Otorhinolaryngologists.