Muffled hearing and a feeling of pressure or blockage may also be present. Infection or disease in the nose, mouth, or throat. Changes in altitude or air pressure. A build-up of ear wax. An object, growth, or insect in the ear.
Earaches are very common in young children.
They may tug or rub on the painful ear. Fever, dizziness, nausea, or vomiting may also occur with earaches. The usual cause of earache in children is middle ear infection or otitis media. Adults also may develop this infection. It is caused by bacteria or a virus that first enters the nose or throat and then travels up the tubes of the ear.