When the tube in the ear, called the Eustachian tube, gets filled with fluid and is blocked, it leads to pressure build-up behind the eardrum or ear infection. This might cause ear pain.
Earache in adults is rarely due to an ear infection. Commonly, earache is due to pain from some other part like teeth, jaw or throat that is felt in the ears. The conditions which cause ear pain are:
- Sore throat
- Sinus infection
- Tooth infection
- Short-term or long-term ear infection
- Arthritis of the jaw
- Temporomandibular joint syndrome
- Injury to the ear due to pressure changes like high altitudes etc.
- The build-up of wax or some object getting stuck in the ear
- Swimmer’s ear (infection of the outer ear and ear canal), also called otitis externa
- Otitis media (infection of the middle ear)
- Malignant otitis externa (infection and damage of the bones of the ear canal and skull)
In children or infants, the following can cause ear pain:
- Ear infection
- Soap or shampoo in the ear
- Cotton-tipped swabs may cause ear canal irritation.
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