How to Relieve Ear Pain - Verywell Health

Ear pain (otalgia) can feel like a dull, sharp, or burning sensation. The pain may come on gradually or suddenly. It might be constant or come and go, depending on the cause. One or both ears can be affected. Though ear pain is more common in children, it can occur in adults as well. 

Read on to learn more about ear pain causes, home remedies, and treatments. 

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Ear Pain Causes

Ear pain is a common symptom that can have a number of causes, including infection and injury. Sometimes ear pain is caused by referred pain, which is pain that originates elsewhere in the body (e.g., throat, teeth) and is felt in the ear.

Although rare, ear pain can also be referred from a cancer. Always have persistent ear pain evaluated by a healthcare professional.

One of the most common causes of ear pain is infections of the ear. Ear infections can occur in the inner, middle, and outer ear. 

Inner Ear Infection 

Labyrinthitis is an ear disorder that is caused by inflammation and/or irritation in the inner parts of the ear, which are responsible for balance and hearing. It may cause symptoms such as vertigo, nausea, vomiting, tinnitus, and temporary hearing loss. Inner ear infections usually do not cause ear pain.

An inner ear infection is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection, but in some cases can be a symptom of an autoimmune disease.

Middle Ear Infection (Otitis Media)

Middle ear infections (otitis media) occur when fluid and inflamed tissue build up in the middle ear (the area between your eardrum and the oval window of your inner ear).

Otitis media is more common after catching a cold or having nasal congestion. Children are more susceptible to middle ear infections, but adults can get them, too.

The symptoms include moderate to severe aching pain in the ear and fever. If left untreated, the eardrum can rupture because of the pressure buildup of fluids.

Outer Ear Infection (Otitis Externa)

Outer ear infections (otitis externa) occur in the outer ear canal, which runs from your eardrum to where the outside of the ear meets the head.

This type of ear infection is commonly called "swimmer's ear." When water gets into and remains in the ear, it creates a moist environment in which bacteria or fungi can grow and thrive, causing infection.

Otitis externa can also occur when external items placed in the ear (such as headphones, hearing aids, and cotton swabs) damage the skin inside the ear canal, which can lead to infection.

Otitis Media With Effusion

Otitis media with effusion (OME) is a buildup of fluid deep inside the middle ear. The pressure of this fluid may cause pain and temporary hearing loss.

OME, which is sometimes called "glue ear," may clear up on its own. Sometimes a minor procedure to place small tubes (grommets) in the ear can help drain the fluid to provide relief.

Earwax Blockage

Earwax is meant to protect your ear canal from bacteria, injury, and water. Sometimes the wax can build up or get pushed back into the ear canal, leading to a blockage.

A buildup of earwax can sometimes cause ear pain. With an earwax blockage, you may feel a sensation of fullness or congestion in the ear. You may also hear a ringing in your ears or have temporary hearing loss from the blockage. 

Eustachian Tube Blockage

The eustachian tube is a narrow tube that connects the back of the nose to the middle ear. It protects the middle ear from bacteria and viruses, keeps air pressure equal in the middle ear space, and helps drain secretions from the middle ear. 

If the eustachian tube is blocked, bacteria or fluid can become trapped inside the ear and cause infection. Symptoms of a blocked eustachian tube include ear pain, ringing or popping sensation in the ear, dizziness, and hearing loss.

External Causes of Ear Pain 

Sometimes a pain in the ear is not because there is a problem with the ear itself. Instead, the pain is felt in the ear even though the issue is somewhere else (this is called referred pain).

Common causes of referred ear pain include: 

• Dental problems: A dental abscess (a collection of pus in the teeth or gums caused by a bacterial infection) or tooth infection causes a throbbing sensation in the affected area of the mouth and can also be felt in the ear.
• Throat infection: Sore throats can make it painful to swallow, and the discomfort can be felt up in the ear as well. Sometimes an earache is a sign of a throat infection, such as tonsillitis. 
• Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome: Pain in the joint that connects your lower jaw to your skull can sometimes be felt in your ear.

Home Remedies

There are things you can do at home to relieve ear pain, such as:

• Chew gum or yawn to help your ears "pop."
• Hold a cold or warm compress to the outer ear for 15 minutes at a time (alternate between cold/warm throughout the day).
• Perform neck and jaw exercises that rotate the neck and move the jaw.
• Sit in an upright position.
• Take a hot bath or shower to loosen congestion.

Over-the-Counter Treatments

Over-the-counter (OTC) treatments can help reduce pain and inflammation in the ear. Some options include: 

• Ear drops: These products typically contain glycerin and isopropyl alcohol, which help dry excess fluids from the ear.
• Decongestants: These medicines (e.g., Sudafed, Afrin nasal spray) reduce swelling in the mucous membranes, which helps to open up passages to the ear and relieve symptoms. 
• Pain relievers: OTC pain relievers like acetaminophen and ibuprofen can help with minor discomfort and inflammation.

Prescription Medications 

Self-care and OTC medications are not always enough to treat ear pain. If the pain does not go away or gets worse, it's important to see your doctor—especially if you also have a fever, notice pus or fluid coming from the ear, or have hearing loss.

Your doctor may prescribe medications to help treat your earache, including: 

• Antibiotics: If you have an ear infection that is caused by bacteria, your doctor may prescribe oral antibiotics (such as amoxicillin or penicillin).
• Ear Drops: Your doctor may also prescribe antibiotic ear drops that are placed directly into the ear to clear the infection. 

If wax buildup is the culprit causing your ear pain, your doctor might prescribe wax-softening ear drops, which help break up the wax and let it come out on its own.

Specialist-Driven Procedures

If you have ongoing ear pain, or an ear condition that requires specialized treatment, your doctor might want to refer you to an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist. This doctor can run additional tests and recommend a procedure to relieve your ear pain.

For example, if your ear pain is caused by a wax blockage, the ENT may perform a procedure to remove wax buildup from the ears for relief.

Ear Flushing

Ear flushing (ear irrigation) is a medical procedure that removes impacted earwax, debris, dead skin cells, and infected tissue from the ear canal.

The doctor uses a tool called an otoscope to get a clear image of the middle ear to see if irrigation is necessary. If it is, a syringe-like tool is used to insert water or a saline mixture into the ear to flush out any excess earwax.

Microsuction

Microsuctioning (vacuuming ear wax) is a procedure in which a doctor uses a tiny vacuum to gently dislodge and remove impacted earwax. The quick and efficient method is often used when ear flushing or irrigation has not helped.

After the doctor has examined the ear using an otoscope or binaural microscope, they will carefully remove the wax using suction. The process takes only a few minutes, and there should be very little (if any) discomfort felt during the procedure.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can you quickly get rid of an earache? 

Warm and cold compresses at home can help to quickly reduce ear pain. Hold a cold or warm compress to the outer ear for approximately 15 minutes at a time for pain relief. Try alternating between warm and cold compresses to determine which provides the most relief.  

What is the best painkiller for an earache? 

Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Motrin) usually help to alleviate ear pain. Alternate between ibuprofen and acetaminophen every few hours for optimal pain relief. 

How can I relieve ear pain at night?

If ear pain is keeping you up at night, try swallowing and yawning to help open the eustachian tubes. You can also sleep in an elevated position to relieve pressure on the eardrums if the pain is felt most when you're lying down. 

How can you prevent ear pain while flying? 

Yawning, swallowing, and chewing gum during takeoff and landing can help prevent ear pain while flying.

Can Vicks VapoRub ease ear pain? 

No. There is no clinical evidence that suggests Vicks VapoRub can ease ear pain. Inserting things into the ear may put debris in the ear and cause injury. 

Are there any essential oils that treat earaches? 

Some essential oils have antibacterial, antiviral, pain-relieving properties that might also be beneficial for earaches. For example, tea tree oil and basil oil may help in reducing ear pain. 

A Word From Verywell

A case of mild ear pain will often go away on its own or with the help of home remedies after a few days. If your ear pain is worsening or has not gotten better after several days, it's important to see your doctor. Your ear pain might be caused by an infection or a condition that needs treatment, such as antibiotics or a medical procedure.

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