Ear Aches / Pain

Most ear pain resolves on its own with time and home care. However, if your ear ache is consistent, or if it’s accompanied by additional symptoms, it’s important to seek medical attention to prevent complications.

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What is Ear Pain?

Ear aches and pain are most common among young children, but they can also affect adults. The degree and type of pain will depend on the underlying cause. It may be felt in one or both ears and it may be constant or transient. In addition, it may feel dull, sharp or burning.

there is a woman with a ponytail holding her ear to her ear

What Causes Ear Pain?

Ear pain may be felt on the inner, middle or outer ear, and the underlying cause can be an injury, inflammation or infection. The most common causes of ear pain include:

Ear infection (the most common cause of ear pain)
Change in pressure, for example when flying on a plane
A foreign object lodged in the ear
Strep throat or a sinus infection
Water trapped in the ear
A buildup of earwax

Should You See A Doctor For Your Ear Pain?

Most ear pain will clear up on its own without medical treatment. To encourage your pain to resolve, you may try over-the-counter eardrops or hold a warm compress over the painful ear for 20 minutes. However, if any of the following circumstances are present, it’s important to see a doctor as soon as possible:

Your symptoms last for more than a day
Your ear pain is severe and constant
Ear discharge/drainage is present

In all of these cases, one of our ear, nose and throat doctors in Miami will need to examine your ear and identify the underlying cause of your pain. If an ear infection is diagnosed, your doctor can prescribe antibiotics to clear it, along with painkillers to help manage the discomfort as you heal.

Ear Aches / Pain FAQ

Is it an Ear Infection?

Also known as otitis media, an ear infection is the most common cause of an earache. It occurs in the middle ear and often coincides with a cold or flu. Among children, the signs of an ear infection include pulling at the infected ear, difficulty sleeping, irritability and a fever. In adults, symptoms are ear pain, fluid drainage and hearing problems.