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.
Outer ear infections are usually caused by bacteria. They are sometimes caused by a fungus, such as a yeast, but that's less common. Viral illnesses like the flu or a certain type of shingles (Zoster oticus) may also lead to an outer ear infection.
Otitis externa is a condition that causes inflammation (redness and swelling) of the external ear canal, which is the tube between the outer ear and eardrum. Otitis externa is often referred to as "swimmer's ear" because repeated exposure to water can make the ear canal more vulnerable to inflammation.
Causes: Anything that make the Eustachian tube swollen or inflamed such as recent upper respiratory infection or common cold, allergies, sinus infection or sudden air pressure changes (happens when people fly on an airplane, scuba dive or drive in the mountains).
Anxiety and stress can cause increased muscle tension, which can lead to headaches, including those that affect the temples or the jaw. These types of headaches can sometimes be mistaken for ear problems, such as earaches or ear pain.
It feels like your ears are more sensitive to pressure changes, such as going up or down hills or other elevation-related situations. You can “pop” your ears more frequently. It feels like there is a strong pressure in one or both ears.
Feeling like there is a pressure in your ear that's causing the hissing sounds. In quiet environments these sounds can seem louder and the feelings more intense. You can also cause these and new sounds when you move your jaw, such as beeping, popping, bubble-popping-sound, blipping, effervescent sounds, and so on.
Outer ear pain can most commonly be caused by environmental conditions such as water exposure or extreme cold weather that can lead to frostbite of the outer ear. Other causes for ear tragus pain include irritation from obtrusive objects like cotton swabs or fingers.
Earaches can happen without an infection. They can occur when air and fluid build up behind the eardrum. They may cause a feeling of fullness and discomfort. They may also impair hearing.
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) is often enough to reduce the pain and fever that can come with ear infections.
Acute outer ear infections come on suddenly and usually go away within six weeks. They can come back (recur) after they've cleared up. Chronic outer ear infections cause ongoing symptoms that last for three months or more.
Waking up with a really painful outer ear is a strange phenomenon that is actually more common than we think. It's most likely down to sleeping on the same side for too long, on a pillow that's too firm. The ear cartilage gets a constant pressure or gets folded against the pillow and this irritates the pain receptors.
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.
If it hurts to move your pinna/auricle or push firmly on the tragus (the flap of tissue at the ear opening), then otitis externa is the most likely cause. One form of otitis externa is called swimmer's ear. Frequent water exposure from bathing or showering can be as contributory as swimming.
Earache isn't usually serious and can be treated by a pharmacist. Your pharmacist may recommend that you contact your GP practice if required.
As with your eyes, decreased circulation can also affect your ears, and chronic stress plays a big part in slowing blood flow. When you're stressed, the extra adrenaline can decrease or stop circulation in the inner ear, damaging or even destroying the essential tiny hair cells inside your ear.
Is an ear infection a symptom of COVID-19? Ear infections and COVID-19 share few common symptoms, most notably fever and headache. Ear infections are not a commonly reported symptom of COVID-19.
Tumors often start as scaly areas or white bumps on the outside of the ear. The area might ooze or drain. A tumor also might start inside the ear canal. The patient might notice drainage from the canal or pain inside the ear.
Symptoms of Pulsatile Tinnitus
The most common symptom of pulsatile tinnitus is regularly hearing a steady beat or whooshing sound. The beat or sound is often in synch with the patient's heartbeat. When their heart rate increases, the beat or sound will become faster; when it decreases, the beat or sound will slow.
There is also a link between ear problems and depression, as research has found that up to 60% of those who are living with tinnitus also have symptoms of depression.