Earache in Adults: Causes and Relief

Earache is less common in adults than children, and in adults the pain often doesn’t start in the ear at all. Jaw, teeth and throat problems can all cause “referred” ear pain.

Imagine a dull ache in your right ear for a week. You try ear drops, but nothing changes. Your healthcare provider finds a perfectly healthy ear and instead notices you’re tender over your jaw joint. Treating the jaw solves the “earache”.

Common causes

• Outer ear infection (otitis externa or swimmer’s ear): pain when touching or pulling the ear, itch, discharge
• Middle ear infection: often after a cold, with muffled hearing
• Earwax build-up, with a blocked feeling
• Eustachian tube problems from colds, allergies or flying
• Jaw joint problems (TMJ)
• Dental problems, such as a tooth abscess or wisdom teeth
• Sore throat or tonsillitis

Relief at home

• Take paracetamol or ibuprofen if suitable
• Hold a warm or cold flannel against the ear
• Keep the ear dry if you suspect an outer ear infection
• Don’t put cotton buds or objects into the ear
• A pharmacist can advise on drops for wax or outer ear infections

But when should I see a healthcare provider?

See a healthcare provider if earache lasts more than three days, there’s discharge, hearing loss, a high temperature, or swelling around the ear. Seek urgent help for severe pain with swelling, redness or tenderness behind the ear, sudden hearing loss, dizziness, facial weakness or a severe headache. People with diabetes or weakened immunity should get ear infections checked promptly.

Sources: NHS (Earache), American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Mayo Clinic, World Health Organization (Ear and hearing care).