Severe earache for which the cause is not properly diagnosed and treated may lead to hearing loss. Associations Besides respiratory infections, infections or other disorders of the nose, mouth, throat, teeth , and jaw can cause referred pain in the ear. Ear pain is also associated with mastoiditis , an infection of the bony mastoid processes near the ear that may occur following otitis media. Not all earache results from infection. A plugged Eustachian tube or swelling of the ear canal from any source can cause ear pain.
Some people experience earache with swimmer's ear, an infection of the outer ear.
Another cause of earache not associated with infection is the change in atmospheric pressure experienced when flying or diving. An infrequent cause of earache is a buildup of ear wax pushing against the eardrum. Trauma or injury to the ear or jaw may also cause ear pain. Young children are the most prone to earache and ear infection because their Eustachian tube, which connects the throat with the ear, is very short and horizontal, easing the transfer of microbes from the throat to the ear. In order to prevent ear infection, children recovering from a cold or the flu should be watched for early signs of ear pain.