Ear pain: otitis and other causes — when it is urgent and which doctor to see
Ear pain often comes with a cold in both children and adults, but not only: sometimes the pain is referred from a tooth or the jaw joint. The ear is ENT territory: an ENT doctor will examine it and quickly find the cause.
Common causes
- Middle ear infection (otitis media) during a cold
- Outer ear infection ("swimmer's ear") — after water or cotton swabs
- Earwax blockage
- Referred pain from a tooth or the jaw joint
- Pressure changes when flying or diving
When to seek urgent help
Do not wait for a scheduled visit if you have any of these signs:
- Pus or blood coming from the ear
- Sudden hearing loss
- Pain with high fever and swelling or redness behind the ear
- Dizziness and nausea along with ear pain
- Ear pain after an injury
- Facial asymmetry (one side of the face does not move) — call 103
Ambulance: 103 (103 from a mobile) · Unified rescue service: 911
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ENT specialist
What to bring to the visit
- A timeline: when it started, whether there was cold exposure, swimming or a flight
- A list of medicines and ear drops you have already used
- Information about previous ear infections
- Hearing test results, if you have had one
Frequently asked questions
What is otitis (an ear infection)?
Otitis is inflammation of the ear. In otitis externa the ear canal is inflamed; in otitis media it is the space behind the eardrum, and otitis media often starts during a cold. An ENT doctor determines which type it is and how to treat it after an examination.
What should I do if my ear hurts?
Book an ENT doctor and bring a list of the medicines and drops you have already used. If you have any sign from the "When to seek urgent help" list, do not wait for a scheduled visit; if one side of the face does not move, call 103.
Can I use ear drops before seeing a doctor?
Better not: with a damaged eardrum some drops are dangerous. First an ENT examination, then treatment.
Ear infection in a child: pediatrician or ENT doctor?
You can start with a pediatrician, who will examine the ear and tell you whether an ENT doctor is needed, or book an ENT doctor directly. With pus from the ear, a high fever with swelling behind the ear or any other sign from the "When to seek urgent help" list, do not wait for a scheduled visit.
Why do children's ears hurt during colds so often?
Children's auditory tube is shorter and wider, so infection from the nose reaches the ear more easily. That is why a child's runny nose should not be neglected.
Acute or purulent ear infection: when is it urgent?
Acute otitis media usually starts during a cold, with ear pain and fever. Sometimes pus builds up in the ear and drains out; this is called a purulent ear infection. Pus or blood from the ear, a high fever with swelling behind the ear or sudden hearing loss mean you should not wait for a scheduled visit; if one side of the face does not move, call 103.
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The information on this page is for reference only and does not replace a doctor's consultation. Only a doctor can make a diagnosis in person. If your condition worsens, call 103.