Ear Pain in Adults

Children many a times may suffer from ear infection, which often results in ear aches. But an ear infection is less likely to be a cause of ear pain in adults. Adults can experience ear pain due to problems in the ear or sometimes ear pain might actually be a referred pain such pain in the temporomandibular joint, teeth, throat, or other location.

Ear Pain in Adults: Causes
Apart from an ear infection, ear pain in adults can be caused due to other serious problems as well. Mentioned below are the probable causes of ear pain in adults.

• Ear infection
  • Middle ear infection - acute or chronic
  • Outer ear (canal) infection - acute, chronic or malignant
• Ear injury from pressure changes
• Object stuck in the ear
• Impacted ear wax
• Ruptured or perforated eardrum
• Arthritis of the jaw
• Sinus infection
• Temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ)
• Strep throat with referred pain of the ears
• Tooth infection

Adult Ear Infection
Adult ear infections are caused due to infection in the Eustachian tube, near the inner ear. This ear tube equalizes the pressure between the ear and the external environment, but when fluid or mucous builds up in the tube, it leads to an infection and ear pain in adults. Even a cold can be the cause of fluid build-up leading to an ear infection. Ear infection is also caused if mucous is being blown into the Eustachian tubes after blowing the nose or if the liquid is not cleaned out of the ear with a cotton swab after a shower. Viruses often cause an ear infection followed by ear pain in adults and such infections are sometimes difficult to cure. Read more on ear infection symptoms in adults.

Ear Pain When Flying
Differences of pressure in the ear can cause ear pain when flying. People experience ear pain while flying or while diving due to the difference in pressure between the middle ear and the outside environment. The Eustachian tube connects the middle ear to the back of the nose. This tube opens and closes while we swallow or yawn and this movement helps equalize the pressure between the middle ear and the outside environment. If the Eustachian tube is not functioning properly, negative pressure develops in the middle ear leading to ear problems like a blocked ear, ear pain, slight hearing loss or ear pressure. Read more on ear pressure relief.

Ear Pain When Swallowing
Ear pain when swallowing is caused due to sore throat. The Eustachian tube, which keeps the fluid out of the middle ear, is connected to the throat. If this tube swells as a result of a sore throat, this leads to a blockage causing pressure in the ear, which in turn leads to ear pain when swallowing.

How to Get Ear Pain Relief?
Follow these simple steps to get relief from ear pain in adults.

• First remember to sleep on one side so that the affected ear is facing upwards. This will also help alleviate any pressure and provide ear pain relief.
• Take a cotton cloth and moisten it with hot water. Hold it near your ear so that the heat from the cloth helps soothe the ear pain. This is one of the effective home remedies for ear ache.
• Chewing gum will help movement of the Eustachian tubes. This will help loosen and relieve pressure in the ear and alleviate ear pain.
• Take a piece of garlic and squeeze the juice out of it. Put a few drops of this juice in the ear that is paining. It will ease the ear ache.
• Warm a little olive oil or mineral oil. Using a dropper, put two to three drops into your ear. Now place a cotton ball in your ear opening so that the the oil doesn't come out. This remedy will help you get relief from ear pain.

Read more on:

• Ear Pain Relief
• Home Remedies for Ear Ache

You can try the above tips for ear pain remedies before you consult the doctor. If you are in doubt about the cause of the ear ache or if the ear pain is becoming persistent, you must immediately consult a doctor.