The ear consist of several sections--the inner ear, the middle ear and the outer ear. Together, these sections help maintain balance and assist with hearing. People may experience an earache due to different causes. An earache can feel like a sharp pain, a dull ache or burning. The pain can affect one ear or both and may come and go or remain constant. Finding the cause for the ear pain helps determine the appropriate treatment.
Middle Ear Infection
A common reason for pain in the ear is an infection in the middle ear, also referred to as otitis media. Children get ear infections more often than adults, according to MayoClinic.com. Ear infections occur because of trapped fluid in the middle ear. Conditions such as a sinus infection or a common cold may cause the fluid to build in the ear. The tube that connects from the ear to the throat and allows the ear to drain fluid, called the eustachian tube, is narrow, short and more horizontal for children and will grow and turn more vertically for adults.
Swimmer's Ear
Swimmer's ear, or external otitis, occurs due to water in the ear canal after prolonged exposure to moisture, such as when swimming. Swimmer's ear is an infection of the external portion of the ear due to exposure to fungi and bacteria from the water. Antibiotic ear drops will clear up the infection and decrease the pain, according to TeensHealth from Nemours.
Ruptured Eardrum
A ruptured eardrum is a hole in the tissue that separates the ear canal from the middle ear that occurs due to an ear infection or trauma to the ear. The pain from a ruptured eardrum is sudden and severe, then quickly disappears. The ruptured eardrum will usually heal by itself without medical intervention, according to MayoClinic.com.
Ramsay Hunt Syndrome
Ramsay Hunt syndrome is a condition that causes painful blisters in the ear. The blisters form as a reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, which also causes the chickenpox virus. Treatment for the condition includes antiviral medications and pain medication.
Pressure Changes
Pressure changes, such as riding on an airplane, heading up a mountain or scuba diving in the ocean, may cause ear pain. The eardrum vibrates correctly when the pressure on each side is the same. If the pressure balance is off, the eardrum stretches and pain may occur.
Earwax
The ear canal secretes earwax to help protect and lubricate the external portion of the ear and some people produce excessive amounts of earwax. Using a cotton-tipped swab or other object to attempt removing the earwax may cause the earwax to push down to the eardrum. The earwax can harden and cause a blockage, causing ear pain.
Mouth, Neck and Jaw Disorders
Conditions that affect the mouth, neck and jaw may cause pain in the ears. There is no problem with the ears in these disorders, but the ears feel referred pain due to nerve irritation. A toothache, throat cancer and temporomandibular joint syndrome, or TMJ, are all conditions that can cause a person to feel pain in the ears.
