By Brian Joseph Miller. Most people assume earaches and ear pain happen only to children, but they can also happen to adults. Ear pain may be dull, sharp, or burning, and it may feel constant or come and go, according to the National Library of Medicine. Pain in the ear can have multiple causes. Ear infections are the most common reason parents bring their child to a doctor, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Everything You Should Know About Ear Infections in Adults
Ear Pain: Diagnosing Common and Uncommon Causes - American Family Physician
By Jessi Cole November 20, In many cases, ear pain is caused by an infection of the ear canal. But did you know some ear pain may not be connected to ear-related problems at all? Many of these problems require a physician's knowledge to distinguish one problem from another. But here are a few other causes of ear pain you may not know about. Otitis media is a group of diseases, most prevalent in the younger age groups, and is an infection of the eardrum.
Earache is a common problem, particularly in children. It can be worrying, but it's usually only caused by a minor infection and will often get better in a few days without treatment. Earache can be a sharp, dull or burning ear pain that comes and goes or is constant. One or both ears may be affected.
Ear infections may be more common in children than in adults, but grown-ups are still susceptible to these infections. Unlike childhood ear infections, which are often minor and pass quickly, adult ear infections are frequently signs of a more serious health problem. There are three main types of ear infections.