What Are the Symptoms and
Causes of Earache?

There are two conditions that cause earache, a common problem for both children and adults. The first is infection of the outer ear (otitis externa), caused by trapped moisture. Symptoms include earache, hearing loss, ringing sounds, and a blocked or full sensation in the ear.

The second is infection of the middle ear (otitis media), caused by bacteria growing in the middle ear behind the eardrum, often following a cold or upper respiratory tract infection. Symptoms include pain in the ear, hearing loss, ringing or buzzing sounds, a full or plugged sensation in the ear and fever. Other symptoms in infants include vomiting or diarrhea, irritability, poor feeding and poor sleeping.