A cold or allergy can cause the Eustachian tube to become swollen shut, especially in small children where the tube is smaller. When the Eustachian tube closes, the normal flow of fluid from the middle ear is prevented, and the fluid begins to accumulate which can cause stuffiness, pain, and hearing loss . Ear pain is not necessarily due to a disease of the ear. Infections and other problems of the nose, mouth, throat, and jaw joint can cause pain in the ear. Ear infection symptoms may include fever , ear pain, fussiness, increased crying, irritability, or pulling at the ears.
Ear infections are very common in infancy and childhood and are often associated with colds .
Most children will have a temporary and minor hearing loss during and right after an ear infection, but there is rarely any permanent hearing loss as long as the problem is properly managed by a health care provider. If a child has an earache and discomfort is severe or lasts for longer than 2 days. All ear infections , even mild ones, require treatment. The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed. Pain, tenderness, or redness of the mastoid often indicates a serious infection.