What Causes Ear Pain?

Ear pain can be caused by a variety of factors. Viral infections such as the common cold or flu, as well as seasonal allergies, can lead to inflammation and fluid buildup in the middle ear, creating pressure and discomfort.

Another common cause of ear pain is swimmer’s ear, an infection of the outer ear canal that occurs when water becomes trapped in the ear after swimming or bathing. If you’re already dealing with symptoms like a stuffy nose or sore throat from a cold or flu, ear pain can be an especially frustrating addition.

Who Is at Risk?

While adults can experience earaches and ear infections, middle ear infections are especially common in children under the age of eight and can develop quickly. Pain severity may range from a mild, dull ache to sharp, burning, or throbbing sensations in one or both ears.

What’s the Difference Between an Earache and an Ear Infection?

Ear pain caused by allergies or viral illnesses can sometimes progress into an ear infection. This often happens when the eustachian tube becomes blocked, preventing fluid from draining properly. When fluid remains trapped, bacteria can grow and cause infection.

Ear infections are most commonly bacterial and may require antibiotics for treatment. Because symptoms of earaches and ear infections often overlap, it can be difficult to determine the cause of ear pain without a medical exam.

Earaches and ear infections are especially common in young children, who may not be able to clearly communicate what they’re feeling. Signs and symptoms to watch for include:

• Tugging or pulling at one or both ears (this can also be related to teething or fatigue)
• Increased fussiness, crying, or difficulty sleeping
• Fever, particularly in infants and young children
• Fluid draining from the ear
• Trouble hearing or decreased response to sounds

Diagnosing and Treating Earaches and Ear Infections

For earaches caused by viral infections or allergies, at-home care can often provide relief. Applying a warm compress to the affected ear and using over-the-counter pain relievers may help reduce discomfort.

If ear pain is severe, persistent, or accompanied by symptoms such as a fever that isn’t improving, fluid or discharge from the ear, or hearing changes, it’s important to seek medical care. These symptoms may indicate an ear infection that requires antibiotics.

Diagnosing ear pain typically begins with a physical examination. If a viral infection is suspected, treatment may include warm compresses, decongestants, and pain or fever reducers. If a bacterial infection is suspected, a provider may prescribe oral or topical antibiotics—especially if symptoms have not improved with at-home care. While most symptoms improve within a week, some lingering effects, such as ringing in the ears, may take longer to fully resolve.

We’re Here to Help

If you or a family member are experiencing ear pain or symptoms of an ear infection, simply stop into any ConvenientMD location in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, or Maine for evaluation and treatment. Our clinics are open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week, and no appointment is needed—just walk in.