Earache: When Should I See a Doctor?

Infants and toddlers

For infants and toddlers, it is recommended that you see a doctor when they have any of the symptoms are present:

• pulling or scratching the ear
• crying or irritability
• difficulty or not responding to sound
• fever
• nausea and/or vomiting
• ear drainage

Remember that very young children cannot communicate the fact that they have an earache.

Young children, adolescents and adults

Young children, adolescents and adults should see a doctor when any of the following symptoms are present:

• earaches that are persistent or painful, lasting from a few hours to more than a day
• feeling of fullness or pressure
• hearing problems
• dizziness and/or loss of balance
• nausea, vomiting
• ear drainage
• fever
• severe headache, stiffness of the neck or swelling in the neck