Question: I have had this ear infection for more than a week. It causes me headaches, and the pain on both of my ears is unbearable. I was hoping you could help me by telling me the possible causes of this ear infection pain.
Answer:
I wish I could give you an answer without knowing more about your problem. Unfortunately, there are many different causes of ear pain. Most can also cause facial pain as well.
An outer ear infection is a skin infection of the ear canal. Often, there can be a discharge, but not always. Typically, pulling hard on one’s ear lobe will be painful if that is the problem. This usually is treated with ear drops.
A middle ear infection is an infection in the space behind the eardrum. That typically comes with nasal congestion, such as from a cold, or can occur with the change in pressure- such as in airplane flights. Usually, the hearing will be diminished, and you won’t be able to “pop” your ears- that is opening the eustachian tube that goes to the back of the nose from the ear. It is usually (but now not always) treated with antibiotics and medications to open the nasal passages.
An inner ear infection is deep to these structures, commonly viral, and frequently presents with a hearing loss, with or without feeling dizzy.
There are also noninfectious causes of ear and facial pain.
Commonly people can have persistent pain in the ear and face from the jaw joint. That is the space just in front of the ear. If you push there and open and close your jaw, people with such problems, (TMJ) will experience tenderness and often pain. This pain can be quite severe (think of your back “going out”) and typically is worse with chewing. That is treated with warm compresses, a soft diet, and an anti-inflammatory such as Advil or Aleve.
Finally, one can have what we call “referred ear pain.” That is like when someone has a heart attack, and they get left shoulder pain. The nerves that go to the throat also go to the ear, so something like a bad sore throat, or rarely a tumor, can cause ear pain.
Unfortunately, it seems like the best idea would be to have your ear examined by someone who can help you find out which problem you have.
Robert Pincus MD
Co-director NY Sinus Center
Frequently Asked Questions
Ear infection pain can be caused by outer ear infections (skin infections of the ear canal), middle ear infections (behind the eardrum often related to nasal congestion), inner ear infections (usually viral and deep within the ear structures), as well as noninfectious causes such as TMJ joint problems or referred pain from other areas like the throat.
An outer ear infection often causes pain when pulling on the earlobe and may include discharge from the ear canal. It is a skin infection and usually treated with medicated ear drops.
Middle ear infections typically involve pain behind the eardrum, nasal congestion from a cold or pressure changes, reduced hearing, and an inability to 'pop' the ears. Treatment usually includes antibiotics and medications to open nasal passages.
Inner ear infections are usually viral and occur deeper within the ear structures. They commonly cause hearing loss and may be accompanied by dizziness, unlike outer or middle ear infections.
Yes, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders can cause severe ear and facial pain. Tenderness near the jaw joint, worsened by chewing or jaw movement, is typical. Treatment includes warm compresses, a soft diet, and anti-inflammatory medications.
Referred ear pain occurs when pain originating in another part of the body, such as the throat, is felt in the ear. This can happen because nerves in the throat also supply the ear, and conditions like severe sore throats or, rarely, tumors can cause this type of pain.
If you have persistent or severe ear pain, especially if it lasts more than a week, causes headaches, or affects both ears, it's important to have your ear examined by a healthcare professional to determine the exact cause and appropriate treatment.
