Ear Problems and Injuries, Age 12 and Older

Overview

Ear problems may be caused by many different health problems. But ear pain at any age may be a symptom of:

Ear problems caused by an injury to the ear can occur at any age. Common causes of ear injuries include:

• A fall or a forceful, direct blow to the side of the head. This can burst the eardrum or damage the tiny bones in the inner ear that send sound to the brain.
• An injury during contact sports. Sports can cause injuries such as "cauliflower" ear from wrestling.
• Loud noises or explosions. They can damage the eardrum (acoustic trauma).
• Atmospheric pressure change (barotrauma). It can cause problems with the eustachian tube and trap air in or keep air out of the middle ear. Middle ear problems can be severe. For example, the eardrum can burst or the middle ear can fill with blood or pus. Or they can be mild and only be felt as changes in pressure.
• Cuts or scrapes. They may injure the outside of the ear or ear canal.
• Cleaning the ear canal too often, too forcefully, or with a cotton swab, bobby pin, or sharp fingernail. This can cause irritation or injury.
• Burns or frostbite (thermal injuries).
• Objects placed in the ear. They can cause injury to the ear canal or the eardrum (tympanic membrane).

Hearing loss often comes with age. As people get older, ear problems are more likely to be related to:

• Heredity. The age of onset and how quickly the hearing loss happens can often be determined by studying family members with hearing loss.
• The buildup of earwax.
• Exposure to loud noises, such as an air bag set off in a car crash, machines at work, power tools, gunshots, or loud music.
• Other serious medical problems, such as Ménière's disease or an acoustic neuroma.
• A skin reaction (dermatitis) on the outside of the ear or in the ear canal from perfume, hair dye, or wearing hearing aids.

The ear shares nerves with other parts of the face, eyes, jaw, teeth, and upper neck. Pain that feels as if it is in the ear may be coming from another part of the head or neck. This is called referred ear pain and is more common in older adults. Causes of referred ear pain can include dental problems, jaw pain (temporomandibular disorder), salivary gland infection, or a sinus infection.

Self-Care

Home treatment may be all that is needed to relieve ear discomfort that is minor or that comes and goes. Here are some things you can do to help you feel better.

• Apply a warm washcloth to ease ear pain.

  There may be some drainage from the ear when the heat melts earwax. Do not use a heating pad when you are in bed. You may fall asleep and burn yourself.

• Use ice to reduce swelling from a minor injury or sunburn.

  Apply it for 15 minutes 3 or 4 times a day during the first 48 hours after the injury. The sooner you apply a cold pack, the less swelling you are likely to have. Place a cloth between the ice and your skin.

• Be safe with medicines.

  Depending on the cause of the problem, your doctor may recommend an over-the-counter medicine. For example, adults may try decongestants for cold symptoms or nasal spray steroids for allergies. Follow the instructions carefully.

• Chew gum to relieve pressure changes in the ear.

  For example, chewing gum may help relieve pressure when you're flying in an airplane.

• Try using an over-the-counter earwax remover.

  If your ear feels plugged but you do not have clear signs of infection, an earwax remover may help. Be sure to follow the label directions carefully.

• Don't use ear candles.

  There is no proof that they help to remove earwax or treat other ear problems, and they can cause serious injury.

When to call for help during self-care

Call a doctor if any of the following occur during self-care at home:

• New or worse pain.
• New or worse signs of infection, such as redness, warmth, swelling, or a fever.
• New or worse drainage from the ear.
• New symptoms develop, such as hearing loss or dizziness.
• Symptoms occur more often or are more severe.

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