Ear pain (earache) in adults is often caused by an infection in the ear canal or behind the eardrum. Sometimes the pain comes from somewhere nearby, such as the jaw, teeth or throat. Most ear infections get better within a week.
Emergency
Call triple zero (000) or go to your nearest emergency department if you have ear pain or an ear infection and:
- you suddenly lose hearing in one or both ears (over a few hours to 3 days)
- one side of your face becomes weak or droopy, or your speech is slurred
- you have sudden severe dizziness with vomiting, and you cannot walk
- you have painful swelling or redness behind your ear, or your ear is pushed forward
- you have a severe headache with a stiff neck, confusion or drowsiness
- you feel very unwell with a high fever
- you have diabetes or a weakened immune system, and severe ear pain that is getting worse
These signs can mean a serious infection. They need treatment straight away.
Key points
- Ear pain in adults is often caused by an infection of the outer ear canal (swimmer's ear) or the middle ear.
- Ear pain can also come from the jaw, teeth or throat. This is called referred pain.
- Most middle ear infections get better within a week without antibiotics.
- Swimmer's ear is usually treated with ear drops and keeping the ear dry.
- Ear pain that lasts more than 3 days, or comes with discharge or hearing loss, should be checked by a GP.
- A Doccy consultation can help with medical certificates, ear drops for swimmer's ear if appropriate, and continuing your usual medicine.
What causes ear pain in adults?
Your ear has three parts. The outer ear is the part you can see and the ear canal. The middle ear sits behind the eardrum. It is joined to the back of your nose by a narrow tube (the Eustachian tube). The inner ear controls hearing and balance.
The most common causes of ear pain in adults are:
- Swimmer's ear (otitis externa). This is an infection of the ear canal. It often happens after swimming or getting water in your ear. Scratching the ear or using cotton buds can also cause it. Read more in our swimmer's ear article.
- Middle ear infection (otitis media). This often follows a cold. The Eustachian tube gets blocked, and fluid builds up behind the eardrum. Middle ear infections are more common in children, but adults can get them too.
- Pressure changes. Flying or diving can cause ear pain if the Eustachian tube cannot balance the pressure.
- Ear wax or something stuck in the ear.
Ear pain can also come from nearby parts of your body. This is called referred pain. Common sources are:
- the jaw joint (temporomandibular joint/TMJ), especially if you grind or clench your teeth
- a tooth problem, such as an abscess
- a sore throat or tonsillitis
Ear pain that needs checking. Less commonly, ear pain comes from a problem in the mouth, throat, voice box or the space behind the nose. This includes head and neck cancer. The nerves in these areas also supply the ear, so you can feel pain in your ear even when your ear is healthy.
See a GP if you have pain in one ear with any of these:
- pain that lasts more than 2 weeks, or keeps coming back despite treatment
- a lump in your neck
- trouble or pain when swallowing, or trouble opening your mouth wide
- a hoarse voice, sore throat or cough that does not go away
- a sore or ulcer in your mouth that does not heal
- a blocked nose or nosebleeds on one side
- weight loss you cannot explain
These signs are more concerning if you smoke, drink alcohol or have had human papillomavirus (HPV). Most of the time they have another cause, but they should always be checked.
This article is about adults. Ear infections in children are managed differently, so speak to your child's GP or pharmacist.
How common are ear infections?
Ear infections are common. About 3 in 4 Australian children have at least one middle ear infection by the time they start school. Adults get middle ear infections less often, and there are no national figures for adults.
Swimmer's ear is a common reason adults see a GP in Australia. About 1 in 10 people get it at some point in their life. It is more common in summer and in warm, humid places such as North Queensland.
Symptoms of an ear infection
Swimmer's ear often causes pain that is worse when you touch or pull your ear, itching, discharge and muffled hearing.
Middle ear infection often causes:
- deep ear pain, often after a cold
- a blocked or full feeling in the ear
- muffled hearing
- fever and feeling unwell
If the eardrum bursts, the pain often eases quickly. You may then see yellow or bloody fluid coming from the ear. A burst eardrum usually heals on its own.
When to see a doctor
If you have any of the signs in the emergency box at the top of this page, call triple zero (000) or go to your nearest emergency department.
Get an urgent GP appointment, or call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 for advice, if:
- you have discharge from your ear with severe ear pain or a headache that will not go away
- the outside of your ear is red, hot, swollen and painful
- you have a high fever or feel very unwell
See a GP if:
- your ear pain lasts more than 3 days
- you have persistent discharge from your ear
- your hearing is reduced, or you have ringing in your ear
- you keep getting ear infections
- you have pain in one ear that lasts more than 2 weeks, or any of the signs listed under 'Ear pain that needs checking'
- you have something stuck in your ear
See a dentist if your jaw clicks or hurts when you chew, you grind your teeth, or you have toothache. These can cause ear pain.
A GP can look inside your ear with a small torch (otoscope). This shows whether the infection is in the ear canal or behind the eardrum.
How ear infections are diagnosed
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms, swimming, recent colds and any hearing changes. They will look inside your ear with an otoscope. They may also check your jaw, teeth and throat.
You do not usually need tests. Your doctor may take a swab if:
- there is discharge that does not settle with treatment
- you keep getting infections
A hearing test may be needed if your hearing does not return to normal after the infection clears.
Treatment for ear infections and ear pain
Treatment depends on the cause.
Swimmer's ear is treated with prescription ear drops and keeping your ear dry. Some people need their ear canal cleaned by a GP or ENT specialist. See our swimmer's ear article for more detail.
Middle ear infection:
- Pain relief, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, is the main treatment.
- Antibiotics are usually not needed. Most middle ear infections clear within a week. A GP may suggest them if you are very unwell or at higher risk of problems.
- Decongestants and antihistamines do not help you recover faster.
Referred pain is treated by treating the cause. For example, see a dentist for a tooth problem.
Ask your pharmacist or doctor which products suit you.
Self-care for ear pain
- Hold a warm cloth or wheat bag against your ear.
- Take pain relief, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen.
- Sleep with your head raised on 2 or more pillows.
- Keep your ear dry if you have swimmer's ear.
- Do not put anything in your ear, including cotton buds.
- Do not try to remove ear wax yourself.
Outlook
Most middle ear infections get better within a week. Swimmer's ear usually settles within a week or two with ear drops.
Complications are uncommon. Rarely, a middle ear infection spreads to the bone behind the ear (mastoiditis). Rarely, swimmer's ear can become severe in older people with diabetes or a weakened immune system (see our swimmer's ear article). Fluid can also stay behind the eardrum after an infection and affect your hearing. See a GP if your hearing has not returned to normal after a few weeks.
How Doccy doctors can help
A Doccy consultation can help if you have ear pain and none of the warning signs on this page. The doctor may ask you to send a photo of your outer ear. A Doccy consultation can:
- provide a medical certificate if you need time off work or study, or a carer's certificate if you are looking after someone who is unwell
- provide a special consideration letter if an ear infection has affected a university assessment or deadline
- prescribe antibiotic ear drops for typical swimmer's ear, if it is appropriate
- continue a prescription for medicine you already use, if it is appropriate
A Doccy consultation is not suitable if you have any of the signs in the emergency box. A doctor cannot look inside your ear remotely. If you have discharge, hearing loss, or pain that is not getting better, see a GP in person. If you think your pain is coming from your teeth or jaw, see your dentist in the first instance.
Resources and support
healthdirect: information on earache, middle ear infections and swimmer's ear, and a 24-hour nurse advice line on 1800 022 222.
Hearing Australia: hearing tests and support if an ear infection has affected your hearing.
These services and websites can provide extra information, but they do not replace advice from your own doctor.
- healthdirect. Earache. 2026. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/earache
- healthdirect. Otitis media (middle ear infection). 2024. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/otitis-media
- healthdirect. Swimmer's ear (otitis externa). https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/conditions/ear-diseases/swimmers-ear
- Wiegand S, Berner R, Schneider A, et al. Otitis externa. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2019;116(13):224-234. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31064650/
- Victorian Department of Health. Statewide referral criteria: discharging ear. 2025. https://www.health.vic.gov.au/statewide-referral-criteria/discharging-ear
- Victorian Department of Health. Statewide referral criteria: bilateral or asymmetrical hearing loss. 2025. https://www.health.vic.gov.au/statewide-referral-criteria/bilateral-or-asymmetrical-hearing-loss
- Lee J, Yau S. Approach to otitis externa in Australian general practice. Aust J Gen Pract. 2024;53(12). https://www1.racgp.org.au/ajgp/2024/december/approach-to-otitis-externa-in-australian-general-p
- The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne. Clinical Practice Guidelines: Acute otitis media. 2021. https://www.rch.org.au/clinicalguide/guideline_index/Acute_otitis_media/
- Cancer Council Australia. Head and neck cancers: symptoms and risk factors. https://connect.cancer.org.au/cancer-information/types-of-cancer/head-and-neck/symptoms
- Cancer Australia. Head and neck cancer: symptoms and diagnosis. 2025. https://www.canceraustralia.gov.au/cancer-types/head-and-neck-cancer/symptoms-and-diagnosis