Ear pain

Ear pain
Other namesOtalgia, earache
Examination of the ear canal and eardrum
SpecialtyENT surgery

Ear pain, also known as earache or otalgia, is pain in the ear.[1][2] Primary ear pain is pain that originates from the ear. Secondary ear pain is a type of referred pain, meaning that the source of the pain differs from the location where the pain is felt.

Most causes of ear pain are non-life-threatening.[3][4] Primary ear pain is more common than secondary ear pain,[5] and it is often due to infection or injury.[3] The conditions that cause secondary (referred) ear pain are broad and range from temporomandibular joint syndrome to inflammation of the throat.[3]

In general, the reason for ear pain can be discovered by taking a thorough history of all symptoms and performing a physical examination, without need for imaging tools like a CT scan.[3] However, further testing may be needed if red flags are present like hearing loss, dizziness, ringing in the ear or unexpected weight loss.[6]

Management of ear pain depends on the cause. If there is a bacterial infection, antibiotics are sometimes recommended and over the counter pain medications can help control discomfort.[7] Some causes of ear pain require a procedure or surgery.[7][8][9]

83 percent of children have at least one episode of a middle ear infection by three years of age.[10]

  1. ^ "Earache: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia". medlineplus.gov. Retrieved 2017-10-02.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference :2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference AFP2018 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference Sullivan2012 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference Conover2013 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference RedFlagPosition2014 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ a b Coombs C (2016). "Chapter 118: Ear and Mastoid Disorders in Infants and Children". In Tintinalli JE, Stapczynski JS, Ma OJ, Yealy DM, Meckler GD, Cline DM (eds.). Tintinalli's Emergency Medicine: A Comprehensive Study Guide (8 ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education. ISBN 978-0071794763.
  8. ^ Stallard TC (2017). "Chapter 32: Emergency Disorders of the Ear, Nose, Sinuses, Oropharynx, & Mouth". In Stone CK, Humphries RL (eds.). CURRENT Diagnosis & Treatment: Emergency Medicine (8 ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education.
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference Harrisons19th was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference Rosa-Olivares2015 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
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