Healthline defines common earache symptoms for adults as actual pain, impaired ability to hear, and fluid drainage. Any time an adult experiences these symptoms for over a day, it is a good idea to schedule an appointment with a qualified doctor. It is always advisable to notice symptoms before a little discomfort escalates into a painful situation.
In addition to the symptoms mentioned above, Healthline reports that children may experience muffled hearing, fever, sleep problems, loss of appetite, and irritability. Children can’t always verbalize what’s wrong. Instead, they may tug at their ears and cry. They might also lose their balance.
When in doubt, it is always a good idea to discuss any hearing issues with professionals in audiology Why put your hearing at risk or suffer unnecessarily?
Common Causes of Ear Pain
Swimmers Ear
Most people who spend a lot of time in the pool have experienced the weird sensation of having water trapped in their ear. Typically, if you tilt your head and shake it just right, the water will drain out of your ear. If you are unfortunate enough not to get all the water out, then germs can breed in the ear canal and cause an infection.
WebMD warns that if your ear is red, itchy, swollen, or leaks pus, then you probably have an infection. The good news is that antibiotic ear drops prescribed by your doctor will usually clear the problem up quickly.
Earwax
Your ear constantly produces and eliminates wax. For some people, the wax builds up and blocks the ear canal. This wax blockage can cause pain. There are over-the-counter (OTC) kits that are useful for treating this problem.
Your doctor can also assist you if the problem doesn’t clear up on its own. The ear wax can be removed by a trained professional without risking damage to the eardrum.
The Common Cold
It is not at all unusual for the common cold to cause ear pain. The discomfort is caused by the pressure from the mucus that often collects in the middle ear. Fortunately, this condition usually resolves itself as the cold symptoms improve.
Lesser-Known Causes of Ear Pain
Pain Originating from Another Part of the Body
Referred ear pain is pain that originates from a different part of the body, but is felt in your ear. There are situations where ear pain has absolutely nothing to do with your ear. For example, people with tooth pain can feel it in their ear sometimes. Specifically, dental abscesses and a wisdom tooth that is coming through the skin are known to create ear pain.
Other common sources of ear pain are:
- Sore throats
- Reflux
- Infections in the salivary glands
- Arthritis in your jaw
Boils and Pimples
The ear is not immune to the same painful pimples and boils that can erupt on any part of the body. When this type of blemish pops up in the ear canal, you might experience pain and have no idea what is causing it. Typically, a small pimple will heal on its own.
If it is large, then it might be necessary to consult a physician for advice. They are likely to prescribe an antibiotic or possibly lance it with a needle in some cases.
Ear Infections
There are many causes of ear infections. These infections can occur in the inner, middle, or outer ear. While most aren’t serious, it is crucial to monitor them to be sure they clear up. Middle ear infections can be caused by fluid building up due to allergies or a sinus infection.
It is important to take a middle ear infection seriously since it can lead to hearing loss if left untreated to spread and worsen. For a bacterial infection, it is likely your doctor will prescribe an antibiotic. For allergies, decongestants and nasal steroids are the Go-To remedies.
Outer ear infections are most often attributed to wearing hearing aids or headphones. As mentioned above, swimmers’ ear can also occur for swimmers. Other sources of infection in the outer ear are blamed on cotton swabs and fingers.
It is noteworthy that the skin in the ear canal is sensitive to scratches and irritation, particularly when the area becomes wet and soft from exposure to water.
An inner ear disorder called Labyrinthitis is caused by either bacterial or viral infections. Respiratory illnesses are the most common culprits to blame for inner ear infections.
Changes in Air Pressure
Anybody who flies is familiar with having their ears pop as the plane takes off and lands. Most of us feel little if any real discomfort if we merely chew gum or yawn to compensate for the air pressure change.
Where problems can arise or be extremely painful is when you are suffering from a cold, allergy symptoms, or a sinus infection while traveling. This untimely travel is ill-advised and can create tremendous pain in your ears.
Diving creates a similar problem for anyone suffering from congestion. People are strongly advised against diving when they are experiencing nasal congestion. The pain caused can be quite intense, ruining any chance of enjoying the sport.
Foreign Bodies
People rarely consider that ear pain is caused by a foreign object, but it happens. Small children in particular have been known to push things into their ears. Toys, food, seeds, bugs and cotton swab remnants are just a few of the most common objects found in people’s ears. A doctor should always be consulted for removing a foreign object to avoid injury.
Conclusion
Ear pain can be very uncomfortable. Knowing how to stay safe and protect your hearing means you and your family are less likely to suffer. Always consult a doctor if ear pain lasts longer than a day,
Sources:
https://www.beckerentandallergy.com/hearing-aids
https://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/ear-infection/why-does-ear-hurt
https://www.healthline.com/health/earache#home-remedies
https://patient.info/ears-nose-throat-mouth/earache-ear-pain
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2018/0101/p20.html
