When you think of an earache, the first thing that comes to mind may be a screaming, inconsolable toddler who’s fussy, feverish, and unable to sleep.
While earaches are pretty common in kids, adults can get them, too. If you’re looking for relief, it’s important to determine if the sharp, dull, or burning ear pain is caused by the common cold or an ear infection.
When you have a cold, inflammation and mucus can cause problems with the eustachian tube. This tube connects the middle ear (located behind the eardrum) to the back of the throat and nose.
When the eustachian tube works properly, it balances pressure level, circulates air inside the ears, and removes excess fluid to minimize the chance of an infection.
During a cold, the eustachian tube can become blocked by inflammation and mucus secretions. This can lead to swelling, fluid accumulation, and a feeling of pressure or fullness in the ears.
In addition to these symptoms, colds can also cause:
If you have a cold-related earache, not much can be done to stop it. This is because colds are caused by viruses, so the most you can do is treat the cold symptoms and wait for it to pass. Once the cold starts to subside, your ear pain should clear up as well.
Resting and staying hydrated may help speed the process along, and cold medicine can also help reduce discomfort.
If you have an earache that may be caused by a cold, see your primary care physician. They can rule out other possible causes and ensure you receive proper treatment.
Additionally, if ear pain persists after your cold goes away, be sure to contact your doctor if you haven’t already done so.
An earache that continues after cold symptoms subside may be indicative of a middle ear infection, or acute otitis media.
During an ear infection, the eustachian tube becomes blocked, which prevents fluid from draining out of the middle ear. As a result, fluid accumulates behind the eardrum, creating a breeding ground for bacteria and viruses to grow. This can cause pain and pressure in the ears.
Common ear infection symptoms in adults include:
Pain in one or both ears
Drainage from the affected ear(s)
Muffled hearing
Sore throat
Fever
Problems with balance (this is rare)
Because these symptoms can occur with other conditions, it’s important to talk to your primary care physician as soon as possible. An untreated ear infection can cause complications, such as impaired hearing, spreading of infection, and tearing of the eardrum.
Your primary care physician may refer you to an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor, also called an otolaryngologist.
At your appointment, your doctor will review your symptoms and examine your ear with a lighted instrument called an otoscope.
They may also use a pneumatic otoscope, which helps them determine if there is a buildup of fluid behind the eardrum.
Using this instrument, your doctor will gently blow air against the eardrum. If the eardrum remains stiff, it may mean the middle ear is filled with fluid, which is suggestive of an ear infection.
Typically, a pneumatic otoscope is sufficient to diagnose an ear infection, but in some cases, your doctor may also use other tests.
If you think you have an ear infection and experience any of the following symptoms, seek immediate medical care:
High fever
Pus or bloody fluid draining from your ear
Severe ear pain
Paralysis in your face
In children, earaches are often caused by an ear infection or cold. But in adults, there are several other possible causes of ear pain.
Upper respiratory infections (sinus or throat infections)
Arthritis of the jaw
Ear injury caused by changes in pressure, such as ascending into high altitudes
Object in the ear
Earwax buildup
Hole in the eardrum
Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD), which causes pain in the jaw joints and surrounding muscles
Tooth infection
Earaches from a common cold can persist as long as your cold symptoms do. Similarly, ear pain from an ear infection may continue until it’s properly treated with antibiotics.
Nonetheless, you can take steps to obtain ear pain relief whether your earache is caused by an ear infection or cold.
Earache remedies include:
Chew to reduce the pain and pressure.
Place a cold wet washcloth on the outside of your ear for 20 minutes to relieve pain.
Rest upright (rather than lying down) to reduce pressure.
Gently pop your ears to balance pressure. You can do this by pinching your nose, closing your mouth, and gently exhaling.
You can also try over-the-counter (OTC) options, but be sure to talk to your doctor first:
Anesthetic eardrops (only to be used if eardrum isn’t ruptured)
Pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil)
If an ear infection causes the eardrum to rupture and drain fluid, your doctor may recommend a topical antibiotic, such as ciprofloxacin (Cetraxal). This prescription treats the infection by killing the bacteria in your ear.
Earaches caused by an ear infection or cold can lead to pain, pressure, or burning in the affected ear(s).
Most earaches due to common colds should ease up once you’re on the mend, but earaches from an ear infection will persist and may involve other symptoms like muffled hearing or drainage from your ears.
If you have ear pain, reach out to your doctor as soon as possible, as untreated ear infections can lead to complications.
