What is earache?

Earache (ear pain or otalgia) is a common complaint, 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 your 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 above
• are irritable or restless
• are off their food
• 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 related to a problem with your ears.

Earache with pain when swallowing is most often caused by:

• a sore throat
• tonsilitis

Earache and toothache is most commonly caused by:

• a tooth abscess
• teething in young children

Sometimes it's not known what causes earache.

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 to check your ear canal and ear drum.

When should I see my doctor?

It's important to see your doctor if you:

• have an earache for more than 3 days
• keep getting earaches
• 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 earache treated?

How earache is treated depends on what is causing your 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 never do. 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 and don't usually need antibiotics.

Your doctor might prescribe antibiotics if:

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

Other treatment options

If your pain is coming from a build-up of wax, you may need ear drops to soften the wax. Your pharmacist can help advise you on which drops to use.

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

There is currently no evidence to suggest that ear candles (ear coning) are an effective treatment for any condition.

Can earache be prevented?

You can't always prevent earache, particularly when it's caused by ear infections due to colds and flu.

To help avoid inner 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 stick cotton buds or your fingers in your ears
• use earplugs or a swimming hat 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

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