Tooth abscesses, cavities, and impacted molars also can cause ear pain. Your doctor will be able to tell if your teeth are to blame by tapping on a tooth or your gums to see if they feel sore. Learn more about toothaches.
5 causes of sharp pain in the ear
Causes of sharp pain in the ear include pressure changes and infections. Often, they are not harmful, but some may need medical treatment.
The medical name for ear pain is “otalgia.” If the pain comes from within the ear, doctors call it primary otalgia. If it originates outside the ear, the term is secondary otalgia.
Below, we describe the many possible causes and their accompanying symptoms. We also outline ways to treat and prevent ear pain.
Share on Pinterest Sharp ear pain often results from pressure changes or infections.
Below are some causes of a sharp pain in the ear. The pain may result from one or a combination of these factors.
Each ear contains a narrow tube called a eustachian tube. It helps regulate the pressure inside the ear so that it matches the air pressure outside, enabling the eardrum to function properly.
Sometimes there is an imbalance in pressure, which may result from a blocked eustachian tube or a change in air pressure or altitude.
External pressure changes can cause a type of temporary ear damage called ear barotrauma. The symptoms can include:
- a feeling of pressure within the ear
- a sharp or dull pain in the ear
- hearing loss
- dizziness
Sinus infections
A sharp pain in the ear can sometimes result from an infection in the sinuses — a network of air-filled cavities in the skull.
There are three major types of sinus infection. They are:
- otitis, infection and inflammation of the ear, and the most common type of sinus infection
- mastoiditis, infection of the mastoid bone behind the ear
- sinusitis, inflammation of one or more paranasal sinuses, which are responsible for producing nasal mucus.
Sinus infections may be viral or bacterial.
Otitis
This, an infection in the inner or the outer ear, is one of the most common causes of ear pain.
An infection of the inner ear affects the eustachian tube, which connects the middle ear to the back of the nasal cavity and the upper throat. This usually has a viral cause and is most common among children.
An infection of the outer ear affects the ear canal, the tube that connects the outer ear and eardrum. The infection usually involves direct irritation of the ear canal, such as from water or objects such as Q-tips. It is most common in adults.
Besides sharp pain, some possible symptoms of an ear infection include:
- difficulty hearing
- a feeling of pressure or fullness in the ear
- discharge from the ear
- itchiness or irritation in and around the ear
- a fever
- low energy
Temporomandibular disorder
Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is a musculoskeletal condition that primarily affects the joints that connect the jawbone to the skull.
People with TMD may experience sharp or dull jaw pain that radiates to the ears and temples.
Other possible symptoms of TMD include:
- clicking, popping, or grinding noises when moving the jaw
- difficulty opening the mouth fully
- the jaw locking when when opening the mouth
TMD is not usually serious and tends to get better on its own.
A foreign object in the ear
A foreign object may become stuck in the ear canal. Children, for example, prone to inserting objects into their ears out of curiosity.
A foreign object lodged in the ear can cause:
- sharp or dull pain
- drainage from the ear
- hearing loss
- an infection
A person attempting to remove the object at home could inadvertently push it farther into the ear canal. Instead, see a healthcare provider, who uses specially developed tools and procedures to remove these objects.
Depending on the cause of the ear pain, a person may also experience:
- a loss of hearing
- tinnitus, which involves perceiving noises that come from inside the ear
- a loss of balance
- vertigo
- facial nerve paralysis
A person may only experience sharp ear pain in certain situations, such as when yawning or swallowing. These motions open the eustachian tubes, changing the pressure within the ear.
Over-the-counter pain relief medication, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil) may help in the short term.
Otherwise, the best course of action depends on the cause and severity of the pain.
Recovery from an ear infection is usually spontaneous, so treatment is not always necessary. However, a doctor may prescribe antibiotics if the infection is bacterial.
A doctor will work to establish the cause of TMD, and they may then recommend one or more of the following:
- a prescription for stronger pain medication
- a referral to a dentist, if an issue such as teeth grinding or an incorrect bite is responsible
- a referral to a psychologist, if stress and anxiety are contributing
Over-the-counter pain relief medication can help ease minor to moderate ear pain and discomfort.
Also, holding a warm or cool compress against their ear may help alleviate the pain.
Some people use Q-tips to try to remove earwax, but this can actually push the wax back into the ear canal, causing problems. Anyone concerned about earwax buildups should see a doctor.
Ear infections are often responsible for a sharp pain in the ears, and these infections can be tricky to prevent. However, it can help to:
- not probe the ears with Q-tips or fingers
- prevent water and shampoo from entering the ears when showering or bathing
- use earplugs or a swimming cap when swimming
- treat eczema and other skin conditions
- treat any allergies to materials in hearing aids, if a person wears them
- avoid smoking and smoky environments
To prevent ear pain caused by changes in external pressure or altitude, try:
- yawning
- swallowing
- chewing gum
- sucking on hard candy
- blowing gently through pinched nostrils and swallowing
These can help open up the eustachian tubes, equalizing the pressure inside and outside the ear.
Sharp ear pain may resolve on its own. But if the pain is severe or the ear is bleeding, the person needs immediate medical care.
If someone experiences any of the following, they should consult a doctor:
- an earache that persists for more than 3 days
- recurrent ear infections
- swelling around the ear
- fluid draining from the ear
- hearing loss or another change in hearing
- a severe sore throat
- vomiting
- dizziness
- a fever or chills
Also, if sharp ear pain occurs in someone with any of the following health issues, they should see a doctor:
- diabetes
- a neurological disease
- heart disease
- lung disease
- kidney disease
- a weakened immune system
Sharp ear pain commonly results from an infection or a temporary change in air pressure or altitude. In other cases, it may stem from TMD or a foreign object lodged in the ear.
The pain, though unpleasant, may be no cause for concern and resolve without treatment.
However, if the pain is severe or persistent, or if it accompanies any other symptoms, such as bleeding or discharge, see a doctor. Sharp pain in the ear can stem from health issues that require prompt medical attention.
Last medically reviewed on August 10, 2020
- Ear, Nose, and Throat
- Pain / Anesthetics
How we reviewed this article:
Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
- Berry, W. S. (2018). Otitis, sinusitis, and mastoiditis.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7153047/ - Earache. (2020).
https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/ears-nose-and-throat/earache - Ears and altitude (barotrauma). (2018).
https://www.enthealth.org/conditions/ears-and-altitude-barotrauma/ - Ear infections. (2018).
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ear-infections/ - Earwood, J. S., et al. (2018). Ear pain: Diagnosing common and uncommon causes.
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2018/0101/p20.html - Foreign bodies in the ear, nose, and throat. (n.d.).
https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=foreign-bodies-in-the-ear-nose-and-airway-90-P02035 - How to pop your ears. (n.d.).
https://med.uth.edu/orl/online-ear-disease-photo-book/appendix/how-to-pop-your-ears/ - Sinusitis (sinus infection). (2017).
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sinusitis-sinus-infection/ - Temporomandibular disorder (TMD). (2017).
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/temporomandibular-disorder-tmd/ - Uzun, L., et al. (2019). Antimicrobial activity of garlic derivatives on common causative microorganisms of the external ear canal and chronic middle ear infections.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7032553/ - Worrall, G. (2011). Acute earache.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3173423/
Why Does My Ear Hurt?
Parents know how common earaches are in children, but adults can get frequent ear pain, too. You don’t have to have an infection, or even anything wrong with your ears, to have ear pain.
These are the most common causes:
Earwax
Your ear makes and gets rid of wax all the time. When the process doesn’t work well, the gunk builds up and hardens so your ear canal gets blocked. Your doctor will call this impacted wax. Sometimes, it causes pain.
Don’t use cotton swabs or other objects to try to get wax out. You’ll just push it farther into your ear canal and make it more likely to get impacted. Your ear might hurt, itch, discharge gunk, or get infected. You could even lose your hearing for a while.
You can treat mildly impacted ears at home with over-the-counter ear drops that soften the wax so it can naturally drain. Or go see your doctor if the wax has hardened. She can get the wax out without damaging the eardrum. Learn more about earwax.
Air Pressure
Most of the time, your ear does a great job of keeping pressure equal on both sides of your eardrum. That little pop you feel when you swallow is part of the process. But quick changes, like when you’re on an airplane or in an elevator, can throw off the balance. Your ear might hurt, and you could have trouble hearing. This is typically a eustachian tube dysfunction which can be a chronic in some people.
To avoid problems on a plane:
- Chew gum, suck on hard candy, or yawn and swallow during takeoff and landing.
- Stay awake while the plane descends.
- Take a deep breath, pinch your nostrils shut, then gently try to blow air out of your nose.
- Avoid air travel and diving when you have a cold, a sinus infection, or allergy symptoms.
Swimmer’s Ear
If your ear hurts when you pull on your earlobe or push on the tiny flap that closes it, you probably have this outer ear infection. You get it when water trapped in your ear canal begins to breed germs. Your ear might get red, swollen, or itch and leak pus. It isn’t contagious. To avoid it, keep your ears dry during and after swimming. Your doctor will probably prescribe antibiotic ear drops to clear it up. Learn more about swimmer’s ear.
Middle Ear Infection
A cold, allergies, or a sinus infection can block the tubes in your middle ear. When fluid builds up and gets infected, your doctor will call it otitis media. This is the most common cause of ear pain. If your doctor thinks the cause is a bacteria, she may prescribe antibiotics. If not, then she may recommend a decongestant allergy treatment with an antihistamine and a nasal steroid. Let her know if your pain doesn’t improve or returns. If it isn’t treated, a middle ear infection can spread or cause hearing loss. Learn more about ear infection treatments.
Other Causes
You may feel pain in your ears even when the source is somewhere else in your body, like a toothache. That’s because the nerves in your face and neck pass very close to your inner ear. Doctors call this type of pain that starts in one area but is felt in another “referred pain.”
If your earache comes with a severe sore throat, it could be an infection like tonsillitis or pharyngitis. In fact, ear pain is often the worst symptom of one of these conditions. Learn more about sore throat symptoms.
Tooth abscesses, cavities, and impacted molars also can cause ear pain. Your doctor will be able to tell if your teeth are to blame by tapping on a tooth or your gums to see if they feel sore. Learn more about toothaches.
The temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, is the “hinge” of your jaw that sits directly below your ears. You might get TMJ pain from grinding your teeth, or it could be a symptom of arthritis. The ache in your ears or face comes after you chew, talk, or yawn. To treat it, take over-the-counter pain medicine and put warm compresses on your jaw. Try not to clench your teeth. You may benefit from using a mouth guard when you sleep. This can help ease the tension that causes ear pain. Eating soft foods will help, too. Learn more about causes of jaw pain.
Some causes of ear pain can be serious such as tumors or infections, including cellulitis or shingles. If your ear pain is severe, doesn’t go away within a few days of home treatment, or comes with a high fever or sore throat, or you get a new rash, visit your doctor right away for treatment and to rule out something more serious.
Show Sources
Fairview Health Services Health Library: “Earache, No Infection (Adult).”
American Family Physician: “Diagnosis of Ear Pain.”
American Academy of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery: “AAO-HNSF Clinical Practice Guideline: Earwax Removal,” “Earaches and Otitis Media,” “Ears and Altitude,” “Earwax and Care,” “Experts Update Best Practices for Diagnosis and Treatment of Earwax (Cerumen Impaction) Important Patient Education on Healthy Ear Care.”
CDC: “Facts about Swimmer’s Ear.”
Mayo Clinic: TMJ Disorders: “Overview,” “Treatment.”
National Health Service: “Earache,” “What Are the Differential Diagnoses for Chronic Ear Pain?”
Nemours TeensHealth: “Cellulitis.”
Canadian Medical Association Journal: “Antibiotic treatment for acute otitis media: time to think again.”
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