Ear Pain

Ear Pain Q & A

What causes ear pain?

Ear pain is a common complaint, especially among children, with many possible causes. Some of the most common ear pain instigators include:

• Middle ear infection
• Ear canal infection
• Sinus infection
• The common cold
• The flu
• Swimmer’s ear
• Air pressure changes
• Excessive earwax buildup
• Ruptured eardrum
• Tinnitus
• Foreign object in the ear
• Infected or impacted tooth
• Temporomandibular joint dysfunction, or TMJ
• Allergies
• Loud noises

What are signs my child has ear pain?

Small children and babies frequently have trouble articulating their pain, and it can be confusing and distressing to not know what’s bothering them. If they exhibit any of the following symptoms or behaviors, your child may be experiencing ear pain:

• Trouble balancing
• Rubbing, pulling, or tugging the ear
• Poor hearing
• Appetite loss (children)
• Poor feeding (babies)
• A runny nose
• Coughing
• Nighttime restlessness and insomnia
• Irritability and fussiness (babies)
• Feeling hot to the touch (babies)
• A temperature above 100.4℉

What are the symptoms of an ear infection?

Ear infections are one of the most common causes of ear pain, especially among children. Symptoms of ear infections include:

• Fluid draining from the ear
• Clumsiness
• Fever
• Difficulty hearing
• A sense of fullness in the ear
• A headache

What’s a ruptured eardrum?

A ruptured eardrum is an eardrum that is exposed via a tear or hole in the membrane that separates it from the ear canal. A ruptured eardrum can lead to hearing loss and infection of the now vulnerable eardrum (middle ear).

Symptoms of a ruptured eardrum include:

• Hearing loss
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
• Vertigo (dizziness or a spinning sensation)
• Vertigo-induced vomiting or nausea
• Ear drainage that’s pus-filled, bloody, or clear
• Ear pain that comes and goes suddenly

When should I see a doctor?

Earaches and ear pain often go away on their own. You can also often treat them at home using over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen. If your ear pain doesn’t go away, it’s extremely painful, or it’s accompanied by more serious symptoms, you should go see a doctor.

If you or your child are suffering from persistent or severe ear pain, don’t linger in pain. Call the professionals at NAG Clinics for same-day care. To book an appointment, call or use the online booking tool today.