Ear Pain Causes

Ear pain or otalgia can be a result of infection in the ear itself or may be caused due to some other disease. Although children are more prone to these infections, even adults may suffer from ear pain. Though not a disease in itself, it is an indicator of some other problem. Whatever be the case, it is important to determine the exact ear pain cause so that correct mode of treatment can be followed.

Causes of Direct Ear Pain

Direct ear pain causes are those that are a result of infection to any of the three different parts of the human ear, namely outer ear, middle ear and inner ear. Some of the common primary causes are:

Otitis Media: It is most common in children. It is caused due to bacterial infection of the middle ear. In this case, there is acute pain and it may also be accompanied with fever. Research indicates that the causative agent of otitis media is increasingly becoming resistant to antibiotics. Otitis media is of two types. In case of acute otitis media, there is infection in the ear along with fluid and mucus which remain trapped inside the ear. However, those who suffer from otitis media with effusion (OME) have fluid trapped in their ear although the infection might have been cured. This trapped fluid can attract new infection and in turn, depletes the body's ability to fight new infection. Repeated acute otitis media can cause osteomyelitis in which the infection spreads to the skull.

Otitis Externa: Otitis externa is a case of ear pain caused by water getting trapped in the ear canal. It commonly occurs when individuals complain about pain after swimming. This is also referred to as the swimmer's ear. In certain cases, it may be the result of excessive sweating. The liquid trapped in the ear causes bacteria and fungus to grow and cause ear infection.

Malignant Otitis Externa: This refers to more serious ear problem when the infection in the ear canal has crossed the ear canal and reached the skull. This condition is also known as osteomyelitis. People suffering from diabetes and weak immune system are more prone to suffering from malignant otitis externa.

Labyrinthitis: This is inflammation of the inner ear that usually occurs after an upper respiratory tract infection or infection of the middle ear. The main symptom of this ear infection is vertigo and earache is rarely felt. However if there is pain, it is very important to get it medically checked.

Cysts: Sometimes a cyst may be formed in the ear due to the action of negative ear pressure of the middle ear on the eardrum. Also known as cholesteatoma (a skin cyst), the cyst usually gets infected and erodes the bone of the ear. If left untreated, the cyst can lead to hearing loss, meningitis and also affect the facial nerve causing facial paralysis.

Changes in Air Pressure: Due to changes in air pressure in the external environment, there may be difference in air pressure across the eardrum. This causes the eardrum to stretch that one of the earache causes. This often leads passengers to complain about ear pain when flying.

Other than these direct causes, foreign bodies lodged in the ear, injury or trauma, tinnitus and cancer of the various structures of the ear can be earache causes. Sometimes one may also suffer from pain in ears caused by loud noise.

Causes of Indirect Ear Pain

Other than these earache causes that are a result of some infection or trauma to the ear, ear ache can be a consequence of other diseases or illnesses too. Common causes of the pain due to complications in other parts of body are:

• Dental problems
• Infection of the throat or nose
• Disorders of the nerves of the regions around the ears.
• Injury to a facial nerve
• The TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorder
• Tonsillitis
• Problems in the Eustachian tube

Other than these, pain caused by allergies affects kids as well as adults. Ear pain caused by sinus infection is common as the infection easily spreads to the inner ear.

In most cases, ear pain causes do not pose severe complications. However, it is better to get medical help than to resort to self diagnosis. This is especially important if you suspect that some foreign body is lodged in your ear. In no circumstances, you should poke you ear with any object.