If you have an earache, check to see if it’s any of these issues.
If you are experiencing an earache in adulthood, you may assume it is an ear infection. That is why kids’ ears typically hurt, right? However, ear pain in adults is generally not caused by infection. It’s often not even caused by the person’s ear – it could be the throat or jaw. It is rare, but sometimes, ear pain could indicate serious underlying conditions, such as a tumor or blood vessel inflammation. This is why it’s critical to discuss your symptoms with a doctor. Let’s review the top causes of ear pain in adults.
Reasons for Earaches in Adults
Your ear comes with three main parts: the outer, middle, and inner. Ear pain in adults occurs when fluids build up in the middle ear, resulting in infection. Some causes of ear pain in adults include:
- Arthritis in your jaw
- Dental infection
- Cyst
- Ear infection or injury
- Eardrum rupture
- Earwax buildup
- A foreign object in your ear
- Sinus infection
- Fluid build-up in the inner ear
- An ear infection caused by bacteria prevalently found in water
- Temporomandibular joint – causes pain in the jaw, head, and neck
- A tumor
How Adults Can Treat Earaches
If you have mild ear pain, placing a cold compress on the ear or taking over-the-counter pain medicine might be enough to relieve your symptoms. But you should talk to your doctor if you experience the following ear infection symptoms:
- Dizziness
- Hearing loss
- Fever
- White, yellow, bloody, or clear discharge
- Ringing in your ear
- Itching
- Trouble swallowing
- Severe pressure or pain
While some ear conditions can resolve independently, the audiologists at Clarity Audiology can help you determine the proper treatment, depending on your circumstances. If needed, we can help you prevent the top causes of ear pain in adults. Call Clarity Audiology at 410-698-6594 to schedule an appointment.
Trust the Experts at Clarity Audiology & Hearing Solutions
Need help with your hearing? Clarity Hearing can help. Clarity Audiology & Hearing Solutions is an independently owned and operated clinic that focuses on quality of care and personalized, friendly service to the surrounding areas of Ellicott City, Catonsville, Columbia. Our Doctors of Audiology are highly trained with advanced degrees and take the time to provide the personalized care and attention that you need and deserve. We provide advanced hearing aid options that are personally calibrated with cutting-edge digital technology to fit your hearing loss, your unique ear anatomy, and your individual listening needs.
You can call us today to schedule a FREE Hearing Protection Consultation at 410-698-6594! For more blog posts, news, and updates, follow us on Facebook, X, Pinterest, and LinkedIn.