The causes of ear pain and discomfort are numerous, ranging from well-known infections to less-known triggers. El Dorado Hearing is aware of the detrimental effects ear pain can have on mental health. Our goal in writing this blog is to examine the numerous factors that contribute to ear pain and discomfort, as well as to suggest workable solutions. We also aim to educate people as much as we can on how to treat and manage their pain and improve their quality of life.
Causes of Ear Pain
Numerous factors can cause ear pain and discomfort, including:
- Ear Infections There are two common types of ear infections: infections of the inner ear and infections of the outer ear canal. An infection of the outer ear canal is more commonly known as swimmer’s ear. Either of these infections can cause ear pain and typically have other symptoms, such as a fever, ear drainage, or temporary hearing loss.
- Earwax Buildup A buildup of earwax can cause too much pressure in the ear canal and lead to pain. If this is your experience, do not attempt to clean your ears with Q-tips or foreign objects; this can push the earwax farther into the canal and worsen the problem. Proper techniques for cleaning are necessary. One way you can tell if you have an earwax blockage is to assess your hearing and check for mild hearing loss. Often, this is the result of a blocked ear passage. To help assess your hearing, you can take this five-minute hearing quiz.
- Eardrum Perforation A hole or tear in the eardrum can cause pain and discomfort. This can happen because of ear infections, extremely loud noises, changes in pressure, or head trauma. This is a more serious issue and should be assessed by a healthcare professional.
- Foreign Objects or Particles If an object or substance that is unrecognizable to the body gets inside your ear, it can cause irritation that may escalate into something more serious. Typically, when a foreign object enters the ear, it will be uncomfortable right away, and you will notice it before it becomes a bigger problem. If you cannot remove it yourself, contact a medical professional as soon as possible.
- Sudden Changes in Pressure Traveling on an airplane or diving deep into water are two common examples of sudden changes in pressure that can cause ear pain or discomfort. Usually, these circumstances do not cause significant discomfort or damage, and once you return to normal pressure, your ears will feel fine. However, if you notice prolonged pain even after returning to your normal environment, contact a healthcare professional so they can diagnose the issue. Although uncommon, long-term damage can result from sudden changes in ear pressure.
- Sinus Infections Although your sinuses are not located in your ears, they are closely connected. Congested or infected sinuses can affect the Eustachian tubes, which connect the ears and throat. Alternatively, inflammation in the sinuses can simply transmit discomfort to the ears.
- Referred Pain Sometimes pain in one part of your body can spread to other parts of your body. If your neck, jaw, or shoulders are very tense, the pain can radiate to your ears, causing pain and discomfort there, too. It is best to pay close attention to your entire body when you experience discomfort in a specific spot and see if you can narrow down where the original pain is coming from.
If you are experiencing ear pain or discomfort of any kind, the first step is to take a break from your daily routine and attempt to relax. By slowing down, you may gain clearer insight into what is triggering the ear pain and discomfort. If it feels like the ear pain is caused by referred pain, such as a sinus infection or a stiff neck, then your first steps might be to take a hot shower, try to clear away congestion with steam, or get a massage. In any case, if the ear pain worsens day to day, you may have a more serious condition. If you suspect it is happening because of a more serious problem and the ear pain is persistent, contact your doctor right away.
While hearing loss is not necessarily painful, it can cause discomfort. Persistently struggling to comprehend someone’s speech or straining to hear puts additional stress on your body, exacerbating the issue over time. Rather than ignoring your hearing loss or attempting to get used to it, take the steps to see your doctor and discuss hearing aids. Hearing aids are an amazing tool that help millions of people improve their hearing and, in turn, their quality of life.