Meniere's disease and ear pain: what to know

Meniere's disease affects the inner ear and is associated with episodes of vertigo, fluctuating hearing loss, ringing and a blocked or pressured feeling. Inner-ear symptoms do not usually explain sharp pain, tenderness around the ear, discharge or marked redness. Earache can instead occur with earwax buildup, a middle-ear infection, sinusitis, a cold or throat inflammation. A careful history and ear examination help separate these possibilities.

During dizziness, sit or lie somewhere safe and avoid driving, heights and machinery. Keep a record of the pain, pressure, hearing changes, ringing and vertigo, including what starts first. Do not put cotton buds, oils or unprescribed drops into the ear. Arrange a GP assessment if pain persists, returns, affects sleep or occurs with hearing change. Treatment depends on the cause; earwax may need removal, while an infection may need specific medical treatment.

Seek urgent medical help for sudden hearing loss, severe new vertigo with difficulty walking, facial weakness, confusion, a severe headache, high fever, swelling behind the ear or fluid or blood from the ear. Prompt assessment is also sensible when ear pain is severe or worsening, because pain is not a reliable measure of Meniere's disease activity.

Ask whether the pain appears to come from the outer, middle or inner ear, whether you need a hearing test, and which treatments are safe for your symptoms. Ask how to manage an attack and what changes should prompt same-day care.