Ear Pain in Children – Causes, Symptoms and Home Remedies

Published: December 2, 2024 | Last Updated on: December 2, 2024 | by Hema

Ear pain in children is a common problem, especially in the early years. Here is everything you need to know about the causes, signs & remedies.

Jump To hide Ear Pain in Children – Everything to Know Causes of Ear Pain in Children 1. Acute Otitis Media (AOM) 2. Otitis Media with Effusion (OME) 3. Swimmer’s Ear (Otitis Externa) 4. Eustachian Tube Dysfunction 5. Temporomandibular Joint Disorders 6. Referred Pain 7. Other Causes Risk Factors for Ear Infection in Children Symptoms of an Ear Infection in Children Complications of Ear Infection in Children Diagnosis of Ear Pain in Children Treatment for Ear Pain in Children Home Remedies for Ear Pain in Children Tips to Prevent Ear Pain in Children References: Buy Healthy Nutritious Baby, Toddler food made by our own Doctor Mom !

Some illnesses are so common among kids that every parent will have gone through it at least once in their parenting journey. Colic and tummy pains are some of them, and today we’re going to focus on another classic – ear pain!

Ear pain in children is extremely common, and it can be due to a variety of reasons. Here are a few facts about ear problems in children:

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Over 80% of children have at least one ear infection before the age of 3
20% of children have frequent ear infections
Ear infections are the most common bacterial infection in young children
Ear problems are most common between the ages of 6 months and 2 years
About half of all children with an ear infection will have a fever
80% of ear problems in children clear up on their own

Well, now that you have an introduction to ear problems in children, it’s time to get into the details. Here’s everything you need to know about ear pain in children.

Ear Pain in Children – Everything to Know

Ear pain in children is a common problem, especially in the early years. Here is everything you need to know about the causes, signs & remedies.

Causes of Ear Pain in Children

Ear pain in children is a common problem, especially in the early years. Here is everything you need to know about the causes, signs & remedies.

1. Acute Otitis Media (AOM)

This is an ear infection that is caused by bacteria or virus in the middle ear. The middle ear is the space between the inner ear and the eardrum. The middle ear is connected to the back of the throat via Eustachian tubes. It is the job of the Eustachian tubes to control air pressure in the ear and prevent any fluid buildup.

Sometimes, the Eustachian tubes don’t function properly – they could be blocked, preventing fluid from draining away from the middle ear. This accumulation of fluid in the middle ear can become a breeding ground for bacteria or viruses, leading to an ear infection.

In many cases, Otitis media occurs during or after an upper respiratory infection, as the germs travel through the Eustachian tubes, making them swell and causing a blockage. It’s more common during cold weather and children who spend time in daycare or playschool.

2. Otitis Media with Effusion (OME)

This is a chronic form of Otitis media, where fluid accumulates behind the eardrum, but it’s not infected. This usually occurs after an episode of acute otitis media and may last for a long time – even weeks or months.

3. Swimmer’s Ear (Otitis Externa)

Swimmer’s ear is an infection of the external ear canal. It can happen when the skin in the ear canal gets scratched or irritated, leading to an infection. As its name suggests, it’s a common problem among swimmers.

4. Eustachian Tube Dysfunction

The Eustachian Tube runs from the middle ear to the back of the nose, also called the nasopharynx. The job of this tube is to maintain pressure across the ear drum, clear out secretions from the middle ear and protect from infections. Any malfunction of the Eustachian Tube can lead to ear pain in children.

5. Temporomandibular Joint Disorders

The temporomandibular joint is the hinge that connects the jaw to the skull. Any problem in this joint can lead to referred pain in the ear, along with jaw pain and trouble with chewing. This disorder is more common in kids over the age of 10.

6. Referred Pain

Often, ear pain has nothing to do with the ears. It may be a result of pain from any issue affecting the neighboring organs or body parts. For instance, teething, sinusitis, tonsilitis, tooth decay, mumps or pharyngeal infections can all cause referred ear pain.

7. Other Causes

Here are a few less common causes of ear pain in children:

Trauma or Injury – Something as simple as a fingernail or a Q-tip can cause an injury in the ear canal
Foreign Object in the Ear – If kids put small objects in their ears and push them deep, it can cause pain
Earwax buildup – An accumulation of hard earwax can hurt, especially if it’s been pushed in by cotton buds
Airplane Ear – A change in air pressure during takeoff or landing can cause the eardrum to stretch
Piercing Complications – Any infection of an ear piercing can cause mild to severe pain
Ear Canal Abscess – An abscess is the infection of a hair follicle in the ear canal, which can be painful

Risk Factors for Ear Infection in Children

Ear pain in children is a common problem, especially in the early years. Here is everything you need to know about the causes, signs & remedies.

Children are already at a higher risk for ear infections than adults, mainly because of their anatomy:

Children’s Eustachian tubes are smaller, and their horizontal position makes it difficult for fluid to drain
Kids’ immune systems are underdeveloped, which means they’re more vulnerable to infection
They’re more likely to frequent places with other kids, and catch illnesses from them

Here are other risk factors for an ear infection in children:

A family history of frequent ear infections
Attending daycare, preschool or other groups where contagious illnesses can spread
Being of Hispanic, Native American or Alaskan Native ethnicities
Constant exposure to polluted air or secondhand smoke
Chronic medical conditions like asthma, cystic fibrosis or immune disorders

Symptoms of an Ear Infection in Children

Ear pain in children is a common problem, especially in the early years. Here is everything you need to know about the causes, signs & remedies.

Children of different ages exhibit symptoms of an ear infection in varied ways. Babies and young toddlers often can’t articulate their pain and discomfort, so you need to look out for these signs:

Rubbing or pulling at the ears
Fussing and crying more than usual
Poor appetite or difficulty sucking
Loss of balance or increased falls
Breathing through the mouth
Snoring
Poor sleep
Not reacting to certain sounds
A temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or above
Fluid draining from the ear(s)

The symptoms may also vary depending on the cause of the ear pain. With Otitis Media, older children may complain of headaches or a feeling of fullness or pressure in the ear. Otitis media with effusion is often associated with temporary hearing loss on the affected side, whereas an Eustachian tube dysfunction may manifest as tinnitus or a popping sound in the ear. Swimmer’s ear is often associated with itchiness and/or pain.

Complications of Ear Infection in Children

Most cases of ear pain in children are minor and clear on their own. However, sometimes complications may occur, especially if there have been repeated infections:

Hearing loss or distorted hearing – Frequent ear infections can damage the ear’s internal structure leading to muffled hearing or even hearing loss
Spreading of the infection – If left untreated, an ear infection can spread and affect the membranes of the brain and spinal cord
Tears in the eardrum – A small percentage of children develop tiny tears in their eardrums due to an infection
Delayed speech development – Hearing is essential for speech and language development in young babies. Prolonged hearing issues can affect this.

Diagnosis of Ear Pain in Children

Ear pain in children is a common problem, especially in the early years. Here is everything you need to know about the causes, signs & remedies.

Your child’s pediatrician can usually diagnose the cause of their ear pain with a simple physical exam. They’ll check for signs of a cold, and use a device called a pneumatic otoscope to look inside the ear. This will help them see if the eardrum is inflamed or swollen, or if there is fluid inside the ear.

If your child needs more tests, you may have to visit a specialist, called a pediatric otolaryngologist. The specialist may prescribe further tests:

Tympanometry – This uses air pressure to look for fluid in the middle ear
Acoustic reflectometry – This test also checks for fluid in the ear, using sound waves
Tympanocentesis – If there is fluid in the ear, this test can extract some of it and test it for microbes

If your child has hearing troubles, they may be referred to an audiologist who will conduct hearing tests that may be a result of frequent ear infections.

Treatment for Ear Pain in Children

Ear pain in children is a common problem, especially in the early years. Here is everything you need to know about the causes, signs & remedies.

Treatment for ear pain in children depends upon the child’s age, the cause of the pain and whether it’s a recurrent problem.

Here is the general treatment plan based on the cause of the ear pain:

Otitis media with effusion – Since this is a self-resolving condition, all you need are pain relief medications and warm compresses. For recurrent episodes, tympanostomy tubes may be used to drain fluid in the ear.
Ear infection – If it is a bacterial infection, antibiotics will be required
Swimmer’s Ear – This is treated with antibiotic drops and painkillers
Eustachian tube dysfunction – Treatment for this condition requires treating any underlying issues like GERD, allergic rhinitis or sinusitis
Temporomandibular joint disorders – Treatment for this will vary, and includes jaw exercises, using an occlusion splint and avoiding triggers. If necessary, anti-inflammatory pain medication may be prescribed

For pain relief, the most commonly prescribed medicines are acetaminophen or ibuprofen. However, ibuprofen should never be given to infants under 6 months of age and aspirin shouldn’t be consumed by anyone under the age of 18.

Some ear drops may also help in alleviating ear pain in children. In children older than 12 years, decongestants like nasal sprays or oral decongestants can help clear the ear passages. Children who have recurrent swimmer’s ear may find it helpful to use ear drops with acetic acid or alcohol right after swimming.

Please remember that in case of any trauma or foreign object in the ear, you need to head to the ER – do not try to remove it yourself.

Home Remedies for Ear Pain in Children

Ear Pain in Children - Causes, Symptoms and Home Remedies

Let the child sleep or lie down with the head raised to ease the pain
If you notice any discharge, wipe it away immediately but do not stuff the ear with cotton
A warm compress can ease pain and discomfort. Soak a soft washcloth in warm water and squeeze out all the water. Place the compress over the affected ear
You can also try laying the affected ear on a heating pad – always check the temperature first
Offer your child lots of warm fluids like chicken soup or tea to relieve swelling and fluid buildup and clear nasal congestion
Use a humidifier to moisten the nasal passages, which can relieve congestion
If your child is taking antibiotics, add probiotics to their diet to protect gut health

Tips to Prevent Ear Pain in Children

Breastfeed exclusively for the first 6 months
If bottle feeding, hold the baby so that the head is higher than the stomach to prevent pooling of fluid in the ear
Avoid any exposure to secondhand smoke or to people who are ill
Never insert anything into the ear – always clean the outside of the ear with a soft washcloth
Teach kids about hand hygiene and the right way to cough and sneeze
Ensure your child’s vaccinations are up to date, especially the flu vaccine and pneumococcal conjugate vaccine
If your child swims wear earplugs while swimming
After a swim, be sure to dry the ears with a hair dryer on low heat, held at least 12 inches from the ear

If you’ve tried all these home remedies but your child isn’t feeling better, you should see the doctor. You should also go to the hospital if you notice any of these:

The pain began after an injury or after inserting something into the ear
Blood or pus is draining from the ear
The affected ear appears to stick out more than the other ear
There is a pink or reddish swelling behind or around the ear
Your child is complaining of a headache
The neck is stiff or the child can’t touch the chin to the chest
An unsteady or sluggish gait
Fever over 40° C or 104° F
The child appears sick or is crying incessantly
Vomiting or trouble keeping food down
Your child is immunocompromised due to an organ transplant, sickle cell disease, cancer or other conditions