Ear Pain and Earache: Common Causes, Home Care, and When to Seek Medical Care
Ear Pain and Earache
Ear pain, also called an earache, can happen for many reasons. It may come from the ear itself, or it may be “referred pain” from nearby areas such as the throat, sinuses, jaw, teeth, or neck.
Some ear pain improves with supportive care, but other cases need medical evaluation, especially if symptoms are severe, worsening, or associated with fever, drainage, hearing loss, dizziness, or swelling around the ear.
Common causes of ear pain
Ear pain may be caused by:
Middle ear infection
Outer ear infection, sometimes called swimmer’s ear
Earwax blockage
Sinus congestion or allergies
Recent cold or upper respiratory infection
Pressure changes from flying or altitude
Eustachian tube dysfunction
Jaw/TMJ irritation
Dental problems
Sore throat or tonsil infection
Skin irritation in the ear canal
Injury from cotton swabs or earbuds
Middle ear infection
A middle ear infection happens behind the eardrum. It often occurs after a cold, sinus congestion, or allergy flare.
Symptoms may include:
Ear pain or pressure
Decreased hearing
Fever
Feeling of fullness in the ear
Popping or crackling
Symptoms after a cold
Trouble sleeping due to pain
Outer ear infection
An outer ear infection affects the ear canal. It may happen after swimming, moisture exposure, earbuds, hearing aids, scratching, or using cotton swabs.
Symptoms may include:
Ear canal pain
Pain when pulling on the outer ear
Itching
Redness or swelling
Drainage
Muffled hearing
Tenderness around the ear opening
Earwax blockage
Earwax can sometimes build up and cause:
Ear fullness
Muffled hearing
Ringing
Discomfort
Itching
Feeling like the ear is plugged
Avoid placing cotton swabs, hairpins, or other objects into the ear canal. This can push wax deeper or injure the ear.
When to seek medical care
Schedule a medical evaluation if you have:
Ear pain lasting more than 1-2 days
Fever
Ear drainage
New hearing loss
Ringing that is new or worsening
Dizziness or vertigo
Pain after swimming
Pain after inserting something into the ear
Symptoms after flying that do not improve
Recurrent ear infections
Diabetes or a weakened immune system
Severe allergy or sinus symptoms with ear pressure
Jaw pain, dental pain, or sore throat with ear pain
When to seek urgent or emergency care
Seek urgent or emergency care for:
Severe ear pain
Swelling, redness, or tenderness behind the ear
Ear pushed forward or outward
High fever
Severe headache
Stiff neck
Confusion
Facial weakness or drooping
Sudden hearing loss
Severe dizziness or trouble walking
Blood or pus draining from the ear
Recent head injury
Severe pain in a person with diabetes or a weakened immune system
Can telehealth help?
Telehealth can help review symptoms, timing, risk factors, home care, and whether you may need in-person evaluation. However, ear pain often requires an in-person ear exam to look at the ear canal and eardrum.
Telehealth may be helpful for discussing next steps, but an in-person visit may be needed if there is fever, drainage, hearing loss, severe pain, suspected swimmer’s ear, suspected wax blockage, or symptoms that are not improving.
Prevention tips
To reduce ear pain risk:
Avoid putting cotton swabs inside the ear canal
Dry ears gently after swimming or showering
Treat allergies and congestion when appropriate
Avoid smoking exposure
Use ear protection around loud noise
Avoid sharing earbuds
Keep hearing aids and earbuds clean
Stay up to date with recommended vaccines
Seek care for recurrent ear symptoms
Final thought
Ear pain can come from infection, wax, pressure, allergies, the jaw, or nearby throat and dental issues. Mild discomfort may improve with supportive care, but severe pain, drainage, fever, hearing loss, dizziness, or swelling around the ear should be evaluated.
This information is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are experiencing severe symptoms, signs of infection, severe allergic reaction symptoms, trouble breathing, or a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
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