Why Do You Have the Earache

Why Do You Have the Earache

People often make an immediate association between earache and ear infection. However, discomfort in and around the ear can be caused by many different problems. This guide will cover the more common reasons for an ear ache.

Even though they are more common in children, earaches can happen to anyone at any age. Some people think that an earache means you have an ear infection, but that isn’t always the case. Here are some reasons why you might be getting an earache:

Swimmer’s Ear

If you’ve gone swimming recently and some water accidentally gets trapped in your ear canal, you might get this type of ear infection. The water in your ear breeds germs and bacteria that lead to the infection and while it isn’t contagious, it can cause some pretty uncomfortable pain.

Earwax Buildup

If you don’t work to keep your ears healthy, earwax can build up in your ear canal and harden, leading to pain or even temporary hearing loss. Cotton swabs and Q-tips will only push the wax further into your ear, so it is best to use an over-the-counter kit or talk to your doctor if you think you have earwax buildup.

Overexposure to Loud Noises

Blasting music into your ear for hours on end, loud construction sites, and other loud situations might cause some ear pain due to overexposure.

Other Sources

Your ear pain might not even be coming from your ear! Some nerves from other parts of your body pass right next to your inner ear, so pain coming from somewhere else like a toothache or sore throat might cause you to feel pain in your ears.

These are not the only causes of an earache, but they are some of the most common. Each earache can feel different and vary from person to person, so if you have any concerns about an earache, you should talk to a professional!

Remedies

There are many at-home, over-the-counter, and prescription remedies for earaches. However, it’s important to know the cause of your earache beforehand so you can choose the right solution for your situation. Here are some of the lesser-known remedies:

• Cold or warm towel: placing either a cold or warm towel on the area in pain and rotating between the two every 10 minutes can help alleviate pain.

• Neck exercises: some earaches caused by pressure in the ear canal can be fixed by doing these neck exercises.

• Sleeping upright: when an ear infection is caused by fluid in the ear, sleeping upright can help to drain that fluid and get rid of the infection.

• Essential oils: most essential oils have compounds in them that help kill bacteria and prevent viruses from spreading. The most popular ones used for ear pain are garlic oil, basil oil, oregano oil, and tea tree oil.

Obviously, bad ear infections should receive antibiotic treatment, but these are just some quick home remedies to try first!

Hearing Healthcare is Important.

Taking care of your ears on a regular basis is crucial to their health and future ability. Whether it’s wearing custom earmolds or earplugs at your next concert or frequently checking up on your hearing, the team of professionals at Earsmate is ready to help you with all of your hearing needs, so contact us NOW!