Ear pain

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
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Ear pain
File:Defense.gov photo essay 110719-F-ET173-093.jpg
Synonyms	Otalgia
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Pain in the ear, headache, fever, hearing loss
Complications	Hearing impairment, infection spread
Onset	Sudden or gradual
Duration	Short-term or chronic
Types	N/A
Causes	Ear infection, earwax buildup, foreign body in ear, barotrauma, temporomandibular joint disorder
Risks	Swimming, upper respiratory infection, allergies, ear injury
Diagnosis	Physical examination, otoscopy, audiometry
Differential diagnosis	Toothache, sinusitis, throat infection
Prevention	Avoiding ear injury, managing allergies, proper ear hygiene
Treatment	Pain management, antibiotics for infection, removal of foreign body
Medication	Analgesics, antibiotics
Prognosis	N/A
Frequency	Common
Deaths	Rare

File:Anatomy of Human Ear with Cochlear Frequency Mapping.svg

Diagram of human ear anatomy, relevant to understanding ear pain.

Ear pain, medically known as otalgia, is a common condition characterized by a sensation of discomfort or acute pain in one or both ears. The pain can vary in intensity and can be a symptom of various underlying conditions.

Causes

Ear pain can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

• Otitis media (middle ear infection)
• Otitis externa (external ear infection, also known as swimmer's ear)
• Sinus infections
• Changes in air pressure (barotrauma)
• Earwax buildup
• Foreign objects in the ear
• Dental issues

Symptoms

Symptoms accompanying ear pain may include:

• Hearing loss
• Dizziness
• Fever
• Drainage from the ear
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ear)

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of ear pain typically involves:

• Physical examination of the ear
• Assessment of symptoms and medical history
• Audiological tests, if hearing loss is a concern

Treatment

Treatment for ear pain depends on the underlying cause and may include:

• Antibiotics for bacterial infections
• Pain relievers
• Warm compresses
• Ear drops
• Removal of foreign objects or earwax

Prevention

Preventive measures include:

• Avoiding insertion of objects into the ear
• Keeping ears dry and clean
• Regular dental check-ups
• Avoiding exposure to loud noises

External Links

• Mayo Clinic: Ear Pain
• ENT Health: Ear Pain