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. The infection often begins as a cold, sinus infection, throat infection, or allergy attack.
Pain results from a swollen, red eardrum and build-up of fluid in the airspace behind the eardrum.
Swelling of the outer ear and the ear canal. It is more common in adults, people with diabetes, people who pick at their ears or insert objects such as pens or pencils into them, and people who swim. Sometimes it's called swimmer's ear. A full-ear feeling of unequal pressure caused by flying in an airplane, by a change in altitude, or by congestion in the nose. The ear canal is very delicate.