My Ear Is Sore: Why Do I Have Ear Pain?

Ear pain can range from mild annoyance to crippling discomfort, and an unexplained sore ear can lead to unwanted stress and concern.

From frantically googling “reasons why my ear is sore” to worrying about the long-term effects on your hearing, dealing with an earache can be a nerve-wracking experience.

Our ears are responsible not only for hearing but also for maintaining our balance and regulating air pressure. But despite the crucial jobs they perform, ears are delicate structures.

Many things could cause an earache, including earwax buildup or ear infections. A sore ear can be prompted by another body part, like grinding your teeth in your sleep.

If you or a loved one is experiencing a sore ear, learn more about the possible causes of ear pain.

Impacted Earwax Causing Ear Pain

Earwax is an essential protective barrier in the ear. It’s water-repellent, which means it protects the sensitive ear canal every time you go for a swim or have a shower.

Earwax is also antibacterial, so it protects the ears from infection. Without it, our ears would be much more prone to disease and unwanted intruders.

But if the earwax builds up in excess or becomes hard and impacted, it can cause discomfort and even conductive hearing loss.

Here are some of the most common reasons for earwax blockage and how to solve this issue.

Using Cotton Buds to Remove Wax

It’s relatively common to use cotton buds to wipe out earwax incorrectly. People often consider it a necessary step for personal hygiene. But doing this can have very negative impacts.

Pushing a cotton bud or other foreign object into the ear canal usually doesn’t remove all wax. Instead, doing this may push earwax further down into the ear canal.

The earwax becomes tightly packed, forming a dam in the ear canal that can lead to temporary hearing loss and discomfort.

If you currently use cotton buds in your ears, give them a rest and rely instead on trained medical professionals for earwax removal.

Other Causes of Earwax  Buildup

Older people are at higher risk for buildup and blockage because of changes to the glands inside the ear. This change can make earwax drier and harder.

And if you frequently use earplugs or hearing aids, you may also be prone to earwax buildup.

Specific skin or autoimmune diseases, like eczema or lupus, can lead to excess earwax production and buildup.

Jaw, Tooth, or Throat Problems

Your ears are connected to the mandible bone supporting your jaw and throat. Your ears may also be affected if you’ve been grinding your teeth or have strep throat or tonsillitis.

This is referred pain because the cause isn’t due to your ears but to another part of your body.

Referred pain is the reason for an estimated 50% of all reported earaches in adults. Because of this, it is especially relevant to see a medical provider and determine the cause of your ear pain for treatment.

Ear Infection

Ear infections may occur in the outer, middle or inner ear.

Ear infections are common causes of ear pain for the littlest members of our families. According to the Journal of Primary Health Care, an estimated 27% of New Zealand children under five years old experience middle ear infections.

While they aren’t unusual, they should still be treated by a medical professional as soon as possible to alleviate discomfort and protect the ears.

If you notice your child is fussier than usual or constantly tugging at their earlobes, it’s a good idea to make an appointment with a medical provider as soon as possible.

Most ear infections will go away in time, but some may require antibiotic treatment. Therefore it’s best to see a medical professional if an earache lasts more than 24 hours.

Swimmer’s Ear

Swimmer’s ear is the colloquial term for an outer ear infection.

While middle ear infections happen in the space behind the eardrum (that is not visible to the naked eye), outer ear infections occur between the ear opening and the eardrum.

An outer ear infection may occur due to excess moisture in the ear canal. Water provides the ideal environment for pathogens to flourish.

Swimming in water with a heavy bacterial presence is more likely to put you at risk of swimmer’s ear.

Infection can also be caused by water not fully draining from your ear canal after swimming.

After submerging your head, use a towel to wipe water from your ears or tilt your head to the side to let it drain.

If there is a lack of earwax in your ear canal to protect it from moisture and bacteria, infection is more likely.

If you frequently clean out your ears with cotton swabs or washcloths, you’re stripping them of their natural defences and leaving yourself vulnerable to infection.

Symptoms of outer ear infections include ear pain that persists for more than 24 hours, redness, swelling, fluid leakage, and itching.

You should always contact your medical professional if you have an outer ear infection, even if your symptoms are mild.

Barotrauma

If you’ve ever been on an aeroplane and felt an ache or pressure in your ear, you’ve experienced a form of barotrauma.

Barotrauma happens when the barometric pressure, aka air pressure, differs between your inner and outer ear.

The culprit is often the Eustachian tube, which connects your ear to your throat.

The Eustachian tube opens when there is a change in air pressure and helps to equalise the pressure in your ear. And is also responsible for draining fluid from your ear. Sometimes, the Eustachian tube doesn’t open during a pressure change which may lead to an earache.

Eustachian tube dysfunction can be caused by allergies, a cold, or a sinus infection. Some common causes of barotrauma include aeroplane travel, diving, and travelling to higher altitudes.

It often goes away on its own or by doing exercises to open your eustachian tube, like yawning, swallowing, or chewing gum. However, if your barotrauma doesn’t resolve, it’s best to see a medical specialist.

Eustachian Tube Dysfunction

Eustachian tube dysfunction occurs when the Eustachian tube doesn’t open on its own to equalise pressure, leading to ear pain and a feeling of fullness.

Eustachian tube dysfunction is a common condition and usually resolves independently; however, certain people might be more prone. Children are particularly at risk because their Eustachian tubes are more petite.

Signs of ETD include ear pain, a feeling of fullness in the ear, unusual sounds such as ringing or popping, and dizziness.

If you are sick with a cold, the flu, a sinus infection, or anything else that causes congestion and experiencing Eustachian tube dysfunction, treating the congestion might relieve your ETD symptoms.

You can also try the Valsalva maneuver. One way to do this is to close your mouth, pinch your nose, and breathe out like you’re filling a balloon.

If your symptoms are severe or don’t improve when your congestion does, it’s best to speak to a medical professional.

Foreign Objects

Sometimes, an object or insect may become lodged in your ear.

It’s usually apparent when you have something in your ear, but if your child complains of ear pain or is consistently tugging at or rubbing their ear, you should check to see if any object is visible.

Other symptoms include muffled hearing or ringing in the ear, inflammation, and redness. It’s best to contact a medical professional rather than attempt removal to ensure earwax isn’t pushed further into the ear canal.

Book an Appointment

Earaches are not only a frustrating cause of discomfort for you and your family members but can also be underlying symptoms of infections or other problems throughout your body.

With over 25 years of experience and 60 locations across New Zealand, the practitioners at Ear Health can quickly identify and provide treatment, advice or an efficient referral pathway.

Whether it be an excess of earwax or an outer ear infection, EarHealth has you covered. Book an appointment today to bid farewell to ear pain!