Common cold ear pain: what to know

A cold can swell the lining of the nose and the tube that helps drain the middle ear. Trapped pressure may feel like fullness, popping, muffled hearing or an earache. A Middle Ear Infection is another possible cause, especially when pain becomes stronger, fever develops, or symptoms continue after other cold symptoms begin to improve. Ear pain can also occur with sinus pressure. A blocked nose and cough commonly accompany a cold, but ear pain by itself does not confirm an infection.

Rest, drink fluids, and use gentle measures to ease nasal congestion, such as saline nasal spray or a humidified room. Keep the head slightly raised when resting if pressure feels worse when lying flat. A warm, not hot, cloth against the outer ear may be soothing. Ask a pharmacist or clinician which pain medicine is suitable for you, particularly if you are pregnant, have a long-term condition, or take other medicines. Do not put cotton buds, oil or unprescribed drops into the ear.

Arrange medical advice for severe ear pain, new hearing loss, discharge from the ear, swelling around the ear, dizziness, or symptoms that are getting worse. Seek urgent help for trouble breathing, marked drowsiness, a severe headache with neck stiffness, or swelling behind the ear. A clinician can examine the ear and distinguish pressure from a Middle Ear Infection or another cause.

Could the pain be pressure from congestion or a Middle Ear Infection? What signs should make me return? Is my current pain relief suitable with my other medicines?