What is earache?

Earache (ear pain or otalgia) is a common problem, especially in children. Earaches are usually not serious.

Earache is most often caused by an ear infection.

What symptoms are related to earache?

Pain in the ear is the most common symptom of earache. It can affect one or both of your ears.

A baby or young child may have earache if they:

• rub or pull their ear
• don't react to sounds
• have a temperature of 38ºC or higher
• are irritable or restless
• are not eating
• keep losing their balance

What causes earache?

Earache can be caused by many things.

Earache with a change in hearing

Earache with a change in hearing is most often caused by:

• glue ear (otitis media with effusion)
• an object in the ear (a 'foreign body')
• an ear infection of the middle ear or outer ear

Earache with fever

Earache with fever is most often caused by:

• an ear infection of the middle ear or outer ear
• the flu
• a cold

Other causes of earache

Sometimes an earache may not be caused by a problem with your ears.

Earache with pain when swallowing is most often caused by:

• a sore throat
• tonsilitis

Earache and toothache are most often caused by:

• a tooth abscess
• teething in young children

Sometimes it's not known what causes earache.

When should I see my doctor?

See your doctor if you:

• have an earache for more than 3 days
• keep getting earaches
• have ear pain with tinnitus (sounds in your ears)

When to seek urgent care

Sometimes a sore ear is caused by a more serious problem. You should get an urgent appointment with your doctor if:

• you feel unwell or have a fever
• you have swelling around your ear
• you have discharge (fluid leaking) from your ear
• your hearing is getting worse
• you have something stuck in your ear
• your child under 2 years of age has sore ears

How is the cause of earache diagnosed?

Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and will examine your ears.

They will use a special device called an otoscope to look inside your ear. This lets them check your ear canal and ear drum.

How is earache treated?

How earache is treated depends on the cause of the pain.

Self-care at home

There are some things you can do to help relieve earache:

• Hold a warm cloth or heat pack on your ear.
• Sleep with your head resting on 2 or more pillows.

There are some things you should avoid. Do not:

• put anything inside your ear, including cotton buds
• try to remove ear wax
• let water get inside your ear

Medicines for earache

Over-the-counter pain-relief medicines like paracetamol or ibuprofen can provide pain relief for both children and adults with earache.

Middle ear infections usually get better on their own within 7 days without antibiotics.

Your doctor might prescribe antibiotics if:

• your ear infection doesn't start to get better after 3 days
• you have fluid coming out of your ear

Other treatment options

If your pain is caused by a build-up of wax, you may need ear drops to soften the wax. Your pharmacist can help you choose which drops to use.

If the drops don't work, you might need to have your earwax removed by a health professional.

There is currently no proof that ear candles (ear coning) work to treat any condition.

Can earache be prevented?

You can't always prevent earache, especially when it happens because of ear infections from colds and flu.

To help avoid middle ear infections:

• make sure your child is up to date with their vaccinations
• keep your child away from smoky environments — cigarette smoke stops fluid draining from their ears which increases their risk of ear infections

To help avoid outer ear infections:

• don't put cotton buds or your fingers in your ears
• use earplugs or a swimming cap over your ears when you swim
• try to avoid water or shampoo getting into your ears when you shower or have a bath

Resources and support

Read about ear health on the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website.

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.