Ear pain can come from the ear itself, but it can also come from nearby areas such as the jaw, teeth, throat, or sinuses.
Some causes are temporary and improve on their own, while persistent or severe ear pain may need an examination to determine what is actually causing it.
Common causes of ear pain include ear infections, pressure changes, earwax buildup, irritation of the ear canal, jaw problems, dental problems, and referred pain from the throat or nearby structures.
The location and type of pain, along with symptoms such as hearing loss, drainage, fever, dizziness, congestion, or jaw discomfort, can help narrow down the cause.
Ear infections are a common cause of ear pain, especially in children, but adults can develop them as well.
An outer ear infection, often called swimmer's ear, affects the ear canal.
It may develop after water remains in the ear canal or when the skin is irritated by scratching, cotton swabs, earbuds, hearing aids, or other objects.
Symptoms may include:
A middle ear infection occurs behind the eardrum and may develop after a cold or another upper respiratory infection.
Fluid can collect behind the eardrum and cause pressure, pain, temporary hearing changes, or fever.
Learn more about ear infections.
The eustachian tubes help regulate pressure between the middle ears and the back of the nose and throat.
When they do not open properly, you may experience:
Colds, allergies, sinus inflammation, and changes in air pressure can contribute to this problem. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="1"}
Learn more about eustachian tube dysfunction.
Earwax normally helps protect the ear canal, but impacted wax can cause pain, pressure, fullness, itching, or muffled hearing.
Do not place cotton swabs or other objects into the ear canal, since this can push wax deeper or injure the ear.
Flying, driving through elevation changes, or diving can create a pressure difference between the middle ear and the outside environment.
This may cause temporary pain, pressure, popping, or muffled hearing until the pressure equalizes.
The temporomandibular joint, commonly called the TMJ, sits very close to the ear.
Jaw clenching, teeth grinding, arthritis, or other TMJ problems can sometimes cause pain that feels like it is coming from the ear.
Clues that the jaw may be involved include:
An infected tooth, impacted tooth, or other dental problem can cause referred pain that is felt in the ear.
Ear pain accompanied by tooth pain, gum swelling, or jaw tenderness may need dental evaluation.
Pain from the throat can sometimes be felt in the ear because the throat and ear share nerve pathways.
Conditions such as tonsillitis, strep throat, severe throat inflammation, or other throat problems may cause ear pain even when the ear itself is normal. Cleveland Clinic notes that this type of referred ear pain is common when throat and ear pain occur together. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="2"}
Sinus congestion and nasal inflammation can affect pressure around the eustachian tubes and contribute to ear fullness or discomfort.
If ear pain occurs along with congestion, facial pressure, allergies, or sinus symptoms, the nose and sinuses may be contributing.
Conditions such as eczema can affect the skin in or around the ear and may cause itching, irritation, swelling, or discomfort.
Cleveland Clinic notes that ear eczema can affect the outer ear and ear canal and can sometimes contribute to pain if scratching or irritation leads to infection. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="3"}
Less common causes may include:
These causes are less common, but persistent or unexplained pain is one reason an examination can be useful.
Pain in only one ear can still have many causes, including an ear infection, earwax buildup, TMJ problems, a dental problem, irritation of the ear canal, or referred pain from one side of the throat.
Persistent one sided ear pain should be evaluated, especially when it is accompanied by hearing changes, drainage, a lump, throat symptoms, or other unexplained symptoms.
Consider seeing an ENT if your ear pain:
Sudden hearing loss, new facial weakness, significant trauma, or severe rapidly worsening symptoms should be evaluated promptly.
If ear pain will not go away or keeps returning, Glatz Group can examine the ear and determine whether the pain is coming from an infection, pressure problem, earwax, the jaw, the throat, or another condition.
Glatz Group provides ENT care in McAllen for patients throughout the Rio Grande Valley.
You can also learn more about our ear care services.
