Ear pain usually occurs in children, but it can also occur in adults. It can affect one or both ears, but most often it’s only in one ear. It can come on gradually or completely suddenly, be continuous or intermittent, and range in intensity from mild to quite severe.
Ear pain is divided into two categories, primary and secondary. Primary earache originates exclusively from the ears. For example, ear infections cause primary ear pain. In the majority of cases, primary pain manifests itself mainly in children. This particular form of ear pain usually gets worse over time. Secondary ear pain occurs due to conditions affecting other parts of the body, and occurs because the ears and nearby parts of the body share the same nerves as the brain.
Manifestation of ear pain and infections
The main cause of pain in the ear is the existence of an infection, i.e. otitis. Otitis can take different forms depending on the symptoms it presents. It is distinguished into acute suppurative otitis media, secretory otitis media, chronic otitis media and otitis externa. This condition is a form of infection from a bacterium or virus that affects the middle ear area. Children are more likely to develop otitis compared to adults.
Otitis externa or swimmer’s ear is also a form of infection in the external ear canal, and is different from a middle ear infection. This particular condition is a bacterial infection that is usually caused by water that has remained in the external ear canal for a long time, creating a favorable environment for bacteria to grow. Most mild ear infections go away without treatment, but if symptoms persist, medical intervention is needed. In this case antibiotics are indicated if the ear infection is bacterial, chronic or does not seem to be improving.
Earache and cholesteatoma
Another cause of ear pain is cholesteatoma, which is formed as a result of chronic inflammation of the middle ear. It appears as a cyst behind the tympanic membrane and invades the middle ear and mastoid cavity. This cyst contains skin cells and connective tissue. As these dead skin cells accumulate, the growth can increase in size and destroy the delicate bones of the middle ear. As the cyst grows, it gradually creates a feeling of pressure in the ear, which can cause some discomfort combined with pain in or behind the ear. The pressure of the growing cyst can even cause hearing loss, tinnitus and balance disorders. In order to avoid unpleasant symptoms, surgery is often recommended to treat the condition. The operation of choice is tympanomastoidectomy, with removal or debridement of the cholesteatoma.
Ear pain and eardrum perforation
A major cause of ear pain is eardrum perforation, which occurs when a small hole is formed in the eardrum. This condition usually manifests itself after an infection such as chronic otitis media. In this case, fluid builds up behind the eardrum, which becomes infected and gradually puts pressure on the eardrum, causing the eardrum to rupture and cause ear pain. Often, a ruptured eardrum will heal on its own or remain harmless, but if it doesn’t go away it will need surgical repair. The most common of the ear surgeries to treat a perforated eardrum is tympanoplasty, in which the hole in the eardrum is repaired by placing a graft.
Earache and other causes
Other common causes of ear pain include a change in altitude pressure, such as during an airplane flight, a build-up of wax in the ear, or a foreign object being inserted into the ear such as a cotton swab. At the same time, sinusitis, strep throat, sore throat, some tooth infection or temporomandibular joint dysfunction can be a factor in causing ear pain. ENT Surgeon in Athens Dr. Olga Papadopoulou effectively treats ear pain by offering a thorough diagnosis and suggesting the appropriate treatment method.