What causes earache?

Middle Ear Infection is a common presentation of earache, often with pressure, reduced hearing, fever, or pain after a cold. Earwax Buildup can block the canal and cause fullness, muffled hearing, ringing, or discomfort. Swimmer's ear or scratching can inflame the outer canal. A Common Cold or Sinusitis may block the passages that equalise pressure around the ear. Tonsillitis can cause pain felt in the ear because the throat and ear share nerve pathways. Tooth or jaw-joint problems can also send pain toward the ear.

Pain severity does not identify the cause by itself. One-sided symptoms, discharge, hearing change, fever, recent swimming, injury, flying, dental pain, and the length of the problem help guide an examination.

Keep the ear dry and do not insert cotton buds, fingers, or other objects into the canal. A warm compress may ease discomfort. Use only pain relief that is suitable for you and follow the label or a clinician's advice. Do not use leftover ear drops, especially if the eardrum may be damaged. If wax seems responsible, arrange safe Ear Wax Removal rather than trying to dig it out. Antibiotic Treatment is useful only when a clinician identifies an infection for which it is appropriate.

Arrange medical assessment for earache that is severe, persistent, recurrent, or accompanied by reduced hearing, discharge, fever, dizziness, or swelling. Seek urgent care for sudden hearing loss, severe swelling behind the ear, facial weakness, a serious injury, a foreign object, or severe pain with marked illness. Babies, young children, and people with weakened immunity may need earlier review.

Does the pain come from the ear, throat, teeth, sinuses, or jaw? Is there wax, infection, or eardrum irritation? Do I need drops, antibiotics, hearing review, or wax removal?