Discover the reasons behind earaches and find relief strategies. Your guide to understanding and soothing ear discomfort, only on Meri Sehat.

Earache

A. JABBAR DENTAL CLINIC KARACHI

Sadia Khan

Overview

Earache (otalgia) refers to sharp, burning, or dull pain in one or both ears. 
&nbsp;

A Korean study found that the percentage of primary otalgia cases was higher in children compared to adults. It was also more common in men than women. Contrastingly, referred otalgia occurred more frequently in adults, especially in women.<a href="#accordion">[1]</a> 
&nbsp;

These include:

<ul>
	<li>Primary Otalgia &ndash; The origin of the pain is within the ear (e.g., due to otitis media and auricular infections)</li>
	<li>Referred Otalgia &ndash; The origin of the pain is outside the ear (e.g., due to dental diseases and temporomandibular joint dysfunction)</li>
	<li>Acute Pain &ndash; The pain lasts less than or equal to 2 weeks</li>
	<li>Chronic Pain &ndash; The pain persists for more than 2 weeks 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Sign and Symptoms

Ear pain can be either constant or may come and go. It&rsquo;s also possible that the condition affects just one or both ears.

Other symptoms that may accompany earache include:

<ul>
	<li>Muffled hearing</li>
	<li>Pressure in the ear</li>
	<li>Drainage or discharge from the ear</li>
	<li><a href="https://merisehat.pk/disease/dengue-hemorrhagic-fever-dengue-shock-syndrome">Fever</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://merisehat.pk/disease/tension-headaches">Headache</a></li>
	<li>Fussiness and irritability in children</li>
	<li>Loss of balance 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Note: Consult a doctor immediately in case of severe ear pain that stops suddenly, if there&rsquo;s ear discharge, or if an infant has a persistent, high fever. 
&nbsp;

Causes

<ul>
	<li>Infections: Bacterial or viral infections can lead to inflammation and fluid buildup in the middle or outer ear, resulting in pain.</li>
	<li>Allergies: Nasal allergies can cause earache.</li>
	<li>Trauma: Injury to the ear from foreign objects, for instance, can cause earache. Sometimes, it is the extreme and/or sudden changes in air pressure, like scuba diving or taking off in a plane, that lead to trauma.</li>
	<li>Dental Issues: Dental problems, such as impacted wisdom teeth, can cause ear pain. 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of earache involves identifying the underlying cause.

<ul>
	<li>Physical Examination: The healthcare provider will examine the ears, throat, and neck to look for signs of infection or inflammation, like redness and swelling.</li>
	<li>Otoscopy: An otoscope is used to examine the ear canal and eardrum for signs of infection, fluid buildup, or injury.</li>
	<li>Audiometry: Audiometry tests may be conducted to assess hearing loss or abnormalities in the middle or inner ear.</li>
	<li>Imaging Tests: In some cases, CT scans or MRI scans may be ordered to evaluate the structures of the ear and surrounding areas.</li>
	<li>Other Tests: Doctors may refer the patient to a speech therapist to check if there is any problem with hearing, language comprehension, speech, and other developmental abilities. 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Treatment

Common treatment options include:

<ul>
	<li>Pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, may be recommended to alleviate pain and reduce inflammation. Antibiotics may be prescribed for bacterial infections.</li>
	<li>Ear drops may be used to treat specific ear conditions, such as a buildup of wax. (Note: Avoid if the eardrum has ruptured.)</li>
	<li>In some cases, doctors opt for suction to remove the wax.</li>
	<li>Surgical interventions may be necessary to treat underlying conditions, such as chronic ear infections or structural abnormalities.</li>
	<li>Home care measures for earache may include applying warm compresses to the affected ear, avoiding exposure to loud noises, and maintaining good ear hygiene. 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

If left untreated, earache can lead to various complications:

<ul>
	<li>Malignant otitis, i.e., infection like swimmer&rsquo;s ear spreads to surrounding areas</li>
	<li>Hearing loss or vertigo due to a ruptured eardrum</li>
	<li>Behavior or speech problems due to chronic build-up of fluid or recurrent ear infections 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Several risk factors can increase the likelihood of developing earache, including:

<ul>
	<li>Age, especially infants and children aged 6-24 months</li>
	<li>Living in a colder climate</li>
	<li>Exposure to smoke and other allergens</li>
	<li>Loud noises and changes in air pressure</li>
	<li>Swimming in contaminated water 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

The following preventive measures can be taken to reduce the risk of earache:

<ul>
	<li>Practice Good Hygiene. Make sure the ears are clean and dry. Do not insert objects into the ear canal.</li>
	<li>Vaccinate. Children, in particular, should be given vaccinations for their age.</li>
	<li>Avoid exposure to secondhand smoke as it can increase the risk of ear infections.</li>
	<li>Manage allergies effectively. This reduces the risk of Eustachian tube dysfunction and subsequent earache.</li>
	<li>Use ear protection. Earplugs or earmuffs, for instance, can be used in noisy environments or during activities that involve exposure to loud noises. 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Key Points

<ul>
	<li>Earache (otalgia) refers to sharp, burning, or dull pain in one or both ears.</li>
	<li>Common types of earache include primary and referred otalgia.</li>
	<li>Signs and symptoms of earache include muffled hearing, pressure in the ear, drainage or discharge from the ear, fever, fussiness, and irritability in children, and loss of balance.</li>
	<li>Infections, allergies, trauma, and dental issues are common causes of earache.</li>
	<li>Diagnosis of earache involves physical examination, otoscopy, audiometry, and imaging tests if necessary.</li>
	<li>Treatment options for earache include medications, ear drops, surgical interventions, and home care measures.</li>
	<li>Complications of earache can include hearing loss.</li>
	<li>Risk factors for earache include age and environmental factors.</li>
	<li>Preventive measures for earache include good hygiene, updated vaccination, allergy management, and ear protection.</li>
</ul>