Adult ear pain

Ear pain is a very common condition. There are many causes of ear pain, but the most likely cause is an infection, which often goes away on its own without any treatment. However, if it doesn’t get better or other more severe symptoms appear, you may need to see a doctor.

The ear is the main organ of hearing and an assistant in maintaining balance. Ear problems can cause other symptoms such as hearing loss, dizziness, or ringing in the ear.

The outer (outer) ear includes:

• auricle – the part that you see;
• a narrow tube (auditory tube) – connects the shell with the middle ear cavity;
• the tympanic membrane at the end of the canal separates the outer ear from the middle ear and is a tightly stretched membrane, somewhat reminiscent of the skin of a drum;

The middle ear is a compartment filled with air, inside it are the three smallest bones in the body:

• hammer;
• anvil;
• aiming.

The inner ear has two components:

• the cochlea is a snail-shaped fluid-filled chamber lined with special hair cells that convert sound waves into electrical signals, which are then transmitted along the nerves to the brain;
• the vestibular apparatus, which helps maintain balance – it consists of a network of tubes called the semicircular canals, as well as the vestibule, and detects movement instead of sound.

Why does an adult’s ear hurt?

There are many causes of ear pain.

• Cold. Sometimes a cold can cause ear pain, but the ear itself is not inflamed. The pain is due to the excessive amount of mucus produced during a cold. Mucus can build up in the auditory tube, putting pressure on the eardrum and causing ear pain.

It usually goes away on its own. Steam inhalation, decongestants (Dexona, Otipax, Anauran) and simple painkillers (Paracetamol, Nurofen, Pentalgin, Nise) can help with ear pain.

• Middle ear infection (otitis media). In adults, it is rare, most often occurs in preschool children and occurs after a cold. It is typically painful in the ear and often has a high temperature (fever).

In most cases, otitis media resolves on its own and is treated only with painkillers (Paracetamol, Nurofen, Pentalgin, Nise). However, if the condition does not improve after a few days, the doctor may consider taking antibiotics.

• Infection in the ear canal (otitis externa). Damage to the outer part of the ear, ear canal. This type of infection is more common in adults who swim a lot. Inflammation can also occur in people with skin conditions such as eczema around the ear. If it is otitis externa, the ear may hurt or itch, there may be discharge, and the ear may be blocked, causing hearing loss.

Ear drops (Dexona, Otipax, Anauran) or ear spray are commonly used to treat otitis externa.

• Excess earwax. Our ears produce a waxy substance that protects the ear canals. It usually comes out of the ear on its own naturally. However, sometimes a wax plug can form, blocking the ear canal. Because of this, hearing is reduced on one or both sides and the person may feel uncomfortable. He also sometimes hears popping or ringing in his ear. Sometimes this can cause dizziness.

Never try to remove earwax with a cotton swab. This can push the wax further into the canal and cause a blockage. Wax can be removed with oils or ear drops (A-cerumen, Remo-wax, Otinum). They help soften and remove the cork within a few days. If the wax does not come off, you may need to see a doctor to clean the plugs.

• Foreign bodies. All sorts of things can get stuck in your ears. It is especially common in children, but can also occur in adults. Foreign bodies that get into the ears include beads, seeds, toys, Q-tip pieces, and insects. This can cause ear pain, deafness, or discharge.

Never try to remove the foreign body yourself, as you may push it deeper into the ear canal. This can damage the eardrum. It’s best to see a doctor. Foreign bodies can usually be removed with forceps or by rinsing with water (pressurized syringe).

• Injury or damage. If you put something in your ear, such as cotton swabs or sharp objects, you can damage your ear canal. This can cause soreness, which usually goes away on its own. However, the site of injury may become inflamed. Therefore, if the pain does not go away or you start to have discharge, see a doctor.

To avoid injury to the ear, do not insert anything into the ear, even if it itches or seems to contain wax.

The eardrum can be torn (perforated) by objects stuck in the ear. It can also happen due to other injuries such as a very loud sound or a blow to the ear.

Other more serious head injuries can also damage the eardrum. A perforated eardrum usually causes very sudden and severe pain. Perhaps bleeding from the cavity of the auditory canal, or hearing disappears abruptly.

A perforated eardrum usually heals very well on its own. However, if pain or other symptoms persist, you should see a doctor.

• Flying and diving. Changes in pressure as the plane begins to descend usually cause ear pain. As a rule, this passes quickly.

Similar problems can arise when scuba diving or even when going down an elevator.

If the pain does not go away after a few days of flying or diving, you should see a doctor.

• Furuncles and pimples. They can occur on the ear, as well as on any other part of the body. If they are outside the ear, you will be able to see them. If they originate in the ear canal, you won’t be able to see where the pain is coming from.

A small spot or boil usually goes away on its own after washing the ears. However, if the abscess is very large, red, or painful, you may need to see your doctor. You may need antibiotic medication or a needle prick.

• Pain from other areas (referral pain). This is pain felt in one part of the body due to a problem elsewhere. Sometimes ear pain is not related to the ear, but comes from somewhere else. Causes of referred ear pain include:

• dental problems, such as wisdom teeth or dental abscesses
• angina and tonsillitis;
• problems with the esophagus, such as reflux or inflammation;
• salivary gland problems, such as stones or infections
• problems with the jaw joint, such as arthritis.

• Shingles. This is a disease in which the virus that causes chickenpox (herpes zoster) reactivates in only one nerve. This causes pain and a rash on the skin supplied by this nerve. Sometimes shingles affects the auditory nerve. Symptoms may include:

• pain inside the ear canal or on the sink;
• blisters on the ear;
• hearing loss;
• dizziness;
• ringing in the ears (tinnitus).
• weakness of one side of the face, so the face looks asymmetrical.

If you think you might have shingles around your ear, see your doctor as soon as possible. If treatment is required, it is best to start as soon as possible. However, not all cases of shingles need treatment.

What to do at home if an adult’s ear hurts

If your ear hurts, it is recommended that you talk to your doctor about it. There is little research to prove that home treatments are effective, but most doctors agree that these treatments are safe to try first:

• Use a cold or warm compress. Soak a cloth in cool or warm water, wring it out, wrap it in oilcloth and apply it to the ear that bothers you. Try both temperatures to see which is more effective.
• Apply a heating pad. Place the affected ear on a warm, but not hot, heating pad.
• Take ear drops with painkillers (Sofradex, Otipaks, Otolorin). They help, but not for long. You should not use these drops if you have a tear or hole in your eardrum that is leaking fluid, so check with your doctor first.
• Take a pain reliever. Paracetamol, ibuprofen, or naproxen can often relieve ear pain. Ask your doctor what is right for you.
• Chew gum. If you’re flying in an airplane or riding at high altitude and your ear hurts from changes in air pressure, chew some gum. This can help lower blood pressure and relieve symptoms.
• Sleep straight. Although it may sound strange, resting or sleeping in a seated position instead of lying down can cause fluid to drain from the ear. This will help relieve pressure and pain in the middle ear. Prop yourself up in bed with a pile of pillows or sleep in a reclined chair.

Popular questions and answers

Questions regarding the treatment of ear pain, we discussed with general practitioner, endoscopist, head of the organizational and methodological office Lidia Golubenko.