Earache

Pictures & Images

See all Pictures & Images

Overview & Considerations

Ear pain is often caused by a build-up of fluid and pressure in the portion of the ear behind the eardrum (called the middle ear).

The middle ear is drained by a short narrow tube (the Eustachian tube) into the nasal passages. A cold or allergy can cause the Eustachian tube to become swollen shut, especially in small children where the tube is smaller. When the Eustachian tube closes, the normal flow of fluid from the middle ear is prevented. The fluid begins to accumulate, which can cause stuffiness, pain, and hearing loss.

Increased irritability or pulling at the ears is often a sign of ear pain in infants. Ear pain in a child or infant is not always from infection. Other causes include water from bathing, soap or shampoo retention, or ear canal irritation from cotton-tipped swabs.

Ear infection symptoms may include fever, ear pain, fussiness, increased crying, irritability, or pulling at the ears. They are very common in infancy and childhood and are often associated with colds.

Most children will have temporary and minor hearing loss during and right after an ear infection. Permanent hearing loss is rare, but the risk increases the more infections a child has.