Ear problems can be very uncomfortable and unpleasant, especially in children. However, they don’t usually cause long term problems. Here are the top common ear problems and how to deal with them so they don’t cause too much pain or distress.
Ear infections
These are the most common form of ear pain, especially in children. Infections cause most earaches in children which clear up after a few days. There are inner and outer ear infections. Here are the differences between the two.
Inner infections: otitis media – usually affects children. They affect the inner ear which is the tube – known as the Eustachian tube – which connects the eardrum to the back of the nose. They are more common in children, since their Eustachian tubes are smaller and more level than adults. Viruses such as colds and flu often cause infections.
Treatment: Ear infections often clear up on their own – usually within 3 days – so it is not always necessary to see a doctor. However, antibiotics can be prescribed for inner ear infections if they don’t clear up after 3 days or if fluid is being discharged from the ear.
Treat pain withpainkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. Some children find it soothing to place a warm or cold flannel on the ear. Gently remove any discharge by wiping the ear with cotton wool. Avoid getting water or shampoo in your ear.
Outer ear infection: otitis externa – usually affects adults aged 45 to 75. It affects the ear canal and is often caused by bacterial infection of the skin of the canal, or a fungus or a yeast. It can also be caused by an irritation such as wearing earplugs or a hearing aid. It is common in people who suffer from skin problems such as eczema, psoriasis or dermatitis but also in people who are keen swimmers.
Your doctor may prescribe:
antibiotic eardrops for a bacterial infection,
steroid ear drops to reduce swelling,
antifungal ear drops if there is a fungal infection
antibiotic tablets if the infection is severe
NEVER put anything inside your ear to remove earwax, such as cotton buds or your finger. Always use earplugs or a swimming hat over your ears when you swim. When showering or taking a bath at home, avoid getting water or shampoo in your ears. Do treat any conditions affecting your ears, such as eczema or allergies. Some people can find their hearing aids cause irritation.
Symptoms of an ear infection include:
- pain or earache
- a high temperature of 38C or above
- being sick
- a lack of energy
- difficulty hearing
- discharge running out of the ear which may smell or be blood-stained
- feeling of pressure or fullness inside the ear
- itching and irritation in and around the ear
- scaly skin in and around the ear
In babies, symptoms of an infection can show up as rubbing or pulling at their ears, irritability or being off their food, not reacting to some noises or losing their balance.
Ear pain can also be caused by: teething and dental abscess, sore throats and tonsillitis and flus and colds.
Click here for our Essential First Aid for All Ages course
Glue ear
Glue ear (also know as otitis media with effusion) is a common condition in young children and the biggest cause of hearing problems in childhood. It particularly affects those aged one to six years old and can affect one or both ears.
Glue ear occurs when the middle part of the ear becomes filled with a sticky, glue-like fluid. This build-up of fluid stops the tiny bones in the middle ear from carrying sound vibrations to the cochlea and causes hearing loss.
Symptoms of glue ear
You may notice your child has glue ear if: they speak more loudly or quietly than usual, can be difficult to understand, often ask people to repeat what they say or struggle to hear them, or for the TV or music to be turned up loud; become easily distracted when people are talking or become tired and irritable with the effort of listening.
Treatment
For the majority of children, glue ear clears up by itself within 6–10 weeks, and 50–90% of children are clear within three months. Children who have had glue ear for longer than three months, may need treatment such as inserting grommets or temporary hearing aids.
Ear congestion (often referred to as ears popping)
Ear congestion occurs when the Eustachian tube becomes clogged leading to a feeling of pressure in your ear. It can also cause pain and muffled hearing.
Causes
Ear congestion can be caused by any condition that causes sinus congestion and includes: the common cold and flu, sinusitis, allergies or external irritants such as tobacco smoke.
Treatment
Treatment includes taking a nasal decongestant and gently blowing your nose. Using a nasal rinse. Avoid tobacco smoke and other irritants and use a humidifier so that dry air doesn’t irritate your nasal passages. Remaining hydrated can also help to thin nasal mucus. For allergies, use your antihistamine.
Ear congestion when travelling
Air travel involves rapid pressure in air pressure, particularly during take off and landing. This puts stress on your middle ear and eardrum. Techniques to relieve this pressure include: yawning, chewing gum or sweets or repeatedly swallowing or yawning, which can readjust the pressure.
Congested when flying: if you are congested, you can also take an over the counter nasal decongestant 30 minutes before take off and landing.
A foreign object in the ear
Usually you know if an object is stuck in your ear, however small children may not be aware of it. Common objects children put into their ears include: pieces of food, such as peas, nuts, seeds and sweets, beads and buttons, crayons,
mini toys and stones.
Resulting ear problems can be pain, infection and hearing loss.
Symptoms
Your child might complain of discomfort or pain. Or you may notice them rubbing or pulling at their ear or having difficulty hearing. You may also notice discharge or blood coming out of your child’s ear or your child’s ear becoming red and swollen. If an insect has crawled or flown into your child’s ear, he may complain of a buzzing sound.
Treatment
Don’t probe the ear with a tool such as a cotton swab or matchstick – even if you can see it in your child’s ear – as you may accidentally push it deeper. This could hurt your child and cause further damage.
Seek medical advice as healthcare professionals have special tools and training that will help them remove it safely.
Click here for our Essential First Aid for All Ages course
Earwax
Earwax normally just works its way out on its own. However, sometimes it can block your ears. Never use your fingers or cotton buds to remove earwax as this will simply push the wax further into the ear and make it worse.
Symptoms can include: earache, difficulty hearing, itchiness, dizziness, ear infections and sounds such as high-pitched tones coming from inside the ear
Treatment
If your ears are blocked, put 2 to 3 drops of olive or almond oil in your ear twice a day for a few days. Over 2 weeks lumps of earwax should fall out of your ear, especially at night when you’re lying down.
A pharmacist can give advice and suggest treatments such as chemical drops to dissolve the earwax.
Tinnitus
Tinnitus is the name for hearing sounds in one or both ears that doesn’t come from an external source.
Tinnitus is often linked to hearing loss caused by ageing or can be due to exposure to loud noise. People of all ages get tinnitus, even children. But it’s more common in older adults.
Tinnitus can be temporary – caused for example, by listening to loud music or by congestion because of a cold. However, around one in ten adults – around six million people – in the UK have tinnitus all the time or frequently.
Symptoms: Most people describe it as ringing in the ears but others experience it as hissing, sizzling, buzzing, whooshing or white noise. Additionally, there may more than one sound. The sound may be low, medium or high-pitched and may be constant, or come and go.
Treatment can include tinnitus counselling, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) – to reduce anxiety: tinnitus re-training therapy which uses sound therapy to encourage your brain to tune out and be less aware of the tinnitus.
Mastoiditis
Mastoiditis is an acute infection of the mastoid bone which runs around the ear. Although less common than it once was, it still occurs, especially in toddlers. It requires needs urgent treatment with antibiotics.
Read more here https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/mastoiditis/
Perforated eardrum
Perforated eardrum describes a hole in the eardrum, caused by infection, loud noises or injury. In extreme cases it can occur during airplane take off and landing.
Self repair: Often the hole repairs itself and doesn’t cause any issues. However, at other times it may cause recurrent infections which result in discharge from the ear. If the hole is large enough it may cause some hearing loss.
To confirm there is a hole in the eardrum an ear nose and throat (ENT) specialist uses an ‘auriscope’.
Surgery: Sometimes surgery is necessary to repair the perforation to avoid repeated infections that occur when water enters the middle ear.
Read more here https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/perforated-eardrum/
Click here for our Essential First Aid for All Ages course
Labyrinthitis
Labyrinthitis is an inner ear infection which causes inflammation and occurs when cold, flu, or middle ear infection spreads to the inner ear. It can affect the person’s hearing and their balance, causing dizziness, nausea, vertigo and sometimes hearing loss or vision problems.
Labyrinthitis can be caused by bacteria or a virus.
Symptoms can appear suddenly and without warning. They can last for a few weeks before disappearing on their own. In other cases people suffer from longer-term symptoms or those that reoccur for example when they suddenly move their head.
Treatment is to relieve symptoms.
Over-the-counter antihistamines can ease some of the symptoms of viral labyrinthitis, such as nausea or dizziness.
Antibiotics can be prescribed in cases where a bacterial infection is responsible.
Seek medical advice
It’s always advisable to see your GP as in severe cases, untreated labyrinthitis can cause serious long-term health complications, such as permanent damage to the inner ear and hearing loss.
Ménière’s disease
Ménière’s disease is a long term, progressive condition affecting the balance and hearing parts of the inner ear. It most commonly affects people aged 20-60. It’s uncommon in children. People suffering from this disease experience: dizziness with a spinning sensation, feel unsteady, feel or are sick, hear ringing, roaring or buzzing inside the ear or a sudden drop in hearing.
Symptoms
These symptoms often happen all at the same time and last anything from minutes to hours. It is a very distressing condition because it is so unpredictable. Furthermore, it can take a day or two for the symptoms to completely disappear and sufferers often feel drained after an attack. Additionally, although the condition usually starts in one ear, it can spread to both over time.
Treatment
There’s no cure however medication can help you control vertigo and nausea.
Read more here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/menieres-disease/
Read our article on noise-related hearing loss here:
If you suffer from hearing loss, find out about hearing support dogs here:
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Ear is giving pricking sensation and pain what is the cause
I’m so sorry, you will need to see your doctor or nurse. Hope you are better soon. Emma
My two ears ache me and I feel fullness in my ears
Hopefully this will resolve itself. It could be ear wax – in which case your pharmacist may be able to help. Otherwise you will need a medical assessment
My ear got hit and is now ringing, but it doesn’t hurt. And I can faintly still hear sounds out of it.
Can anyone help me with left ear problem when I swallow or yawn or touch anywhere below my ear I hear a strange noise . There is no pain but gets louder at night . I have had this for a year now I have seen a few doctors but tried anti biotic drugs but no relief does no what is going on with my left ear .
My ear feels like there is something crawling in it.
I feel pain and my two ear keep on heard popping since last year .went I went to medical check up the doctor I’m normal but I still feel pain and heard popping sound.please tell me what to do
What do if water stays in the ear for 2-3days.
I’m suffering from it.
Help plz.
During bath water goes in the ear, but I because of not much water I neglect it. Now suffering. What to do. Both ears of mine feeling heavy.
My daughter get hit with a cotton bud in the right ear, little blood comes out , but then stop, Do u think that shes fine now ?
If you’re still concerned about this, please see your doctor.
My wife has had ear issues the past week, left ear seems blocked and pounding sensation. Right ear following insertion of twisted tissue shows blood/mucus on the tissue. Please advice. Thank you
Sounds like she has an ear infection and may need antibiotics. Please see your doctor
When I bend over to pick something up or sometimes just bend forward a little it feels like water in my ear, but there is not any water what would cause this?
Dear Sheryl, I am afraid I can’t give you a definitive answer on this. You should see your doctor to get it checked out. Sometimes after swimming, showering or bathing water can get trapped in the inner ear, it usually resolves itself, but if it doesn’t it could lead to an ear infection. Hope you get it sorted soon.
Please go back to the doctor and ask them to re-examine her
My 17 year old is complaining of feeling a bug is in his ear. He says sometimes it feels it’s in his brain. Have you heard of such a thing?
I have the same sensations. It feels like something is popping in my ear when I move my head. I’ve had it for at least 3/4 weeks and I’m finding it very stressful
Please try and get a doctor’s appointment. So sorry you are experiencing this problem.
yes I am also feeling the same sensations .its like a ball is moving up and down and it is really irritating. I ignored it for actually few years or so I thought it would get better but the ball like movement when I tilt my head just keeps coming back. I don’t know if I should visit a doctor. if you have visited can you say what it is. I searched the internet but all the info is about ear lumps or other stuff. can somebody fill me up on this , it is really starting to worry me.
same, i have it for a few years, but i’ve been ignoring it.
I have a very high pitched noise in both ears is there anything I can do for relief please.
Dear Joan, please see your doctor about this and ask for a referral to an ENT specialist. Best wishes Emma
I have a clicking in my left ear whenever I swallow or sometimes when I move my head. I have this for almost a year now. There is no pain, no feeling of fullness and no infections. Its causing me stress and disturbing my concentration when Im not doing something or getting myself to bed. I’ve been to two different doctors in two different hospitals but they said my ear is ok, but Im sure something is wrong inside it. Hope someone can help me.
I am experiencing pain and sometimes when I bend or move my head, water like thing in my right ear. Is there anything to worry about ?
It sounds like you should see your GP. You could have an ear infection.
Hello when I stand after sitting and driving I fell like unstedy I can’t hear properly like sounds getting high and low each seconds …after 2 or 3 minutes only I came back normal hearing sounds…I have this problem from last 2 years …on starting stage I got ear infection and undergo nose operation they removed my inside nose tissues still i have this problem what can i do..
So sorry to hear about your problem. Please go back to your ENT surgeon and talk to them. Best wishes and good luck Emma
Your advice is see a dr basically
Unless it is a first aid problem, when you may be able to help yourself. All the queries below need further investigation to find out what is wrong.
My ears have been slightly plugged for about a month now. A week or so afterwards I all the sudden felt like i was moving (specifically to the left and sometimes back and side to side) it stopped about a week ago and now is coming back. I have been taking some medicine: Sudafed, zrtyec, nasacort, and have been elevating my head when sleeping, using a vaporizer at night, reducing dairy, and for the past 2 days using the netti pot. I went to a doctor about a week and a half ago and she said I have fluid in my ears. I’m sick of feeling like I’m moving. It’s nearly impossible for me to do anything cause I feel so sick. It’s very scary. If there’s anything else I can do please let me know. Also how long will this last? Has anyone else had this? Awaiting your response, thank you.
Dear Faith, please ask your doctor to refer you to a specialist. Ideally an Audio Vestibular investigative team and they will have the tools to investigate your condition properly. Good luck and best wishes Emma
My 43 year old daughter has liquid in the ear and is experiencing a vibrating sound in the ear which causes pain, she also has dizziness, she has seen the doctor a few weeks ago and he did say he could see liquid but did not give her anything for it, it is still there and getting worse.
I am so sorry to hear about your daughter. Please ask her to make another appointment with the doctor or with an ENT specialist as she should be re-assessed. I hope she feels better soon
Hi, I have been having this problem with my ears for now. I feel like there is a blockage in my ears and I occasionally pinch my nose to pop it and then it will come back immediately. I have gone for a medical checkup but there was no way found in my ears.
Did you get relief or are still having that problem
I have a clicking sound in my left ear when I swallow or sometimes when i move my head. I have this for almost a year now. Other than that, I dont feel any pain, no fullness, and no infection what so ever. But the clicking aound is causing stress and disturbing my concentration especially when Im not doing something or getting myself to sleep. I’ve been to two different doctors in two different hospitals but they can’t find any wrong in it. But Im sure there’s a problem inside it. Please aomebody help me.
For a few weeks i woke up with the feeling of a wet ear it got to the point i found myself using a Q-tip every morning but there was never any thing visible. Then i woke up one day feeling as if my ear was plugged,i was dizzy felt sick and couldnt walk without holding on to something, I went to the doctor and was put on a pill to help with vertigo which did nothing went back a week later and was advised to nasal rince twice daily and a nasal spray 2 sprays once daily that was a month ago, I went to a different Dr in the same clinic last wed and was told the First Dr was correct and to continue with nasal rince and spray.. If (thats a big If) it still persists in the fall like 3 months from now to come back… She said there liquid behind something and there was very little other than what ive been doing already to do.. Question will this clear up in time and what chances the other ear will get it. Thanks
I would suggest you consult an ear, nose and throat specialist
My ears are plugged up every day. I pinch my nose a pop my ear drums, but the ears just return to the Plugged State. When I pop my ear drums, I can hear just fine, but just for a short time. A few years ago I went to an audiologist, and he wanted to stick a needle in each ear drum to equalize the pressure. At the time, I was a little leery of him puncturing my eardrums so here I am 15 years later with the same problem! Help!
Please go back to an Ear, nose and throat specialist and get their advice
My 11 year old daughter has been having pain in one ear for over 2 months now, she has been on an antibiotic, antihistamine and ear drops for over 2 weeks and still the same pain. We are going back to the doctor again, but wanted to get some other input. Should be go to ENT doctor? She also has other issues in the past, like sensitivity to certain sounds. She has also been to 2 different concerts and we had to leave both early because she ended up with a terrible headache. Could all that be related with another issue?
So sorry to hear about your daughter. I would suggest you ask your GP to refer her to an ENT specialist
i have trouble with my ears and nose. have seen doctors without anything happening. i have purchased an ear camera and noticed that my eardrum have white circles on them. Unsure what that means or what is should do next but I don’t believe its normal.
I have a trouble with my ears. Firstly I feel a blockage of my right ear and then spread of pressure till the right half of my head, sometimes till my left side. It stays for couple of seconds and then the pressure fades and my right stops being blocked, during the blockage is reducing, I can hear either a gas leak or some kind of a white noise. The whole process, I feel my head spinning and tired. I’ve just got this just now, and I am kinda worried of what I have or what can it be.
Hi. Each evening for the last couple of months, one of my son’s ears go bright red and really hot. It doesn’t hurt him and he has no other symptoms but it is uncomfortable and frustrating for him due to the temperature of it. He is 7. What do I do?
May I make a comment about your son’s ears turning Red and being Hot?
It’s really sharing with you my experience with the same thing. Really my Son’s, at the time the same age as your son.
He was having an allergic reaction to something he was eating.
I realized it was to Food Dyes! RED and Orange Especially!
Please check your Son’s diet and see what he has been eating. If you don’t have a clue start to eliminate certain foods that he is eating and see if that makes a difference. I did with my Son.
I hope I have helped you. Also if your Son is on any medications have them avoid using dyes in his liquid medication.
Hi Emma,
I have distortion in one of my ears when listening to loud music or harsh sounds like white noise e.g. water running out of a tap.
It almost feels like the ear tries to close itself when noises get too loud.
Once I stop listening to loud music there is a rushing sound like something in my ear is expanding/releasing.
Any idea what this is and what I can do about it?
Thanks
hi i”m 10 years old when i was 5 my parents never taught me not to put things in my ear so i was stupid and i put a rock in both of my ears i didn’t know it would get stuck my nurse was able to get the rock out of my right ear but there’s still a rock in my left my parents don’t believe that i have a rock in my ear my ear hurts its red i try to get the rock out but its getting deeper
im 10 and i have a rock stuck in my left ear my parnets dont believe that i do its getting deeper and deeper what do i do its causeing pain and my ear is red what do i do to get my parents to believe that im not lying
Please ask your parents to pop you down to A&E or to ask your GP to refer you to an ear specialist for them to assess it and remove it if necessary.
they still dont believe that i do
Over a year now my right ear starts to itch me as soon as i lay my head on my pillow, bed or anything, once my head is resting on something especially if i am resting with my jaw, my right ear gradually starts to itch me.
I have used so many ear drops and pills no remedy.
Whenever i clean up my right ear i find no dirty its clean but it gets itchy when my head is resting on something.
Please you know what might cause such???
i dont know if theres a A&E at french lick
I feel pain and my two ear keep on heard popping since last year .went I went to medical check up the doctor I’m normal but I still feel pain and heard popping sound.please tell me what to do
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I dont know when it started but it not more than a month now, i can just start hearing a buzz or steady beat in my left ear. pls what can i do because i dont like this at all, this is my first time of experiencing it though.
Hi, Are the two ears connected to each other, can the infection move from one ear into another? which of the infection can do that, Regards