Ear Health: Earache

What Causes an Earache?

Earaches are the most common medical condition affecting the ears of infants, toddlers, adolescents and adults. They can range from conditions that have mild discomfort to those with severe pain. They can also range in duration from several hours to days.

The common goal in the treatment of an earache is to make sure it is promptly treated to avoid it from becoming serious and affecting the ability to hear properly. Most ear infections are generally not serious if they are quickly and properly treated.

Common Causes of Earaches

An examination of the ear using an otoscope helps the doctor check for redness and the presence of fluid behind the eardrum. Using this instrument, the doctor can use a gentle stream of air pressure to check to see if and how the eardrum moves. Lack of movement and redness generally indicate the presence of an infection.

The two most common causes of earaches are the infection of the outer ear (the otitis externa) and the infection of the middle ear (the otitis media). These infections are named after the sections of the ear they affect.

Otitis Externa

This is a skin infection of the outer ear or ear canal that can occur in hot humid weather, after swimming or after a minor scrape on the inside of the ear (sometimes caused by inserting a swab or paper clip to clean the ear). Bacteria forms in the ear and can cause the infection. When caused by swimming, it is called “swimmer’s ear”.

Otitis Media

This is an infection of the middle ear and eardrum. While very common in infants and children (6months to 2 years), it can also affect older children and adults. There can be many causes for this infection that can include:

• Colds or upper respiratory tract infections. These cause swelling at the back of the nose where the ear normally drains. They can also affect the eustachian tube that helps to regulate pressure and drain fluids from the ear. If the eustachian tube does not function properly, fluid can become trapped behind the eardrum. If bacteria grow in the fluid, infection occurs.
• Allergies
• Daycare because of the numbers of toddlers receiving care in a relatively confined area which can enhance the spread of contagious bacteria and viruses.
• Second hand exposure to smoke since it is an irritant
• Bottle rather than breast feeding
• Family history of ear infections
• Malformations of the head and neck area

Try Our Symptom Checker

It’s a great way to identify and list all of your symptoms for your physician. Simply print it out, check off your symptoms and then bring it with you to your appointment.

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