What causes pain behind the ear?

The ears and the mastoid bone (which is the bone that protects the ears) are very sensitive and prone to pain. This is because they contain numerous blood vessels and nerves. Pain behind the ear, while not common, can also occur as a result of a simple irritation. Pain behind the ear, upper neck, or back of the head can feel like a dull throbbing feeling. It is possible that the pain can also refer to the cheeks or jaw. If the pain is only in the ear, it doesn’t mean it is an infection or a problem with the ear. Many nerves in the ear are connected to the neck or head. This can be the cause.

It is not easy to identify the condition, but some of the most common causes are ear infections, jaw problems, teeth issues, and more. It is difficult to diagnose the problem, but some of the most common ones are Swimmer’s Ear, Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMJ), Otitis Media (middle-ear infection), Earwax Buildup, Occipital Neuralgia, Mastoiditis.

It is important to monitor your symptoms and see a doctor if the pain doesn’t improve. It doesn’t matter if it is an infection or a tumor; you should seek medical attention if your pain persists.

  • When the pain lasts for a prolonged period,
  • When you feel any lump or mass in your neck,
  • When you see blood coming from your ear.

It is important to make a proper diagnosis to determine the cause of the pain and the best treatment. The doctor will ask questions about your medical history and health and then perform a physical exam. All other steps are dependent on these two.

The doctor will prescribe a plan to treat headaches behind your ear, which will include treating the pain as well as the causes. (Medical News Today 2020). The doctor’s advice is important, but treating the pain at your home can also help. For example, you could take anti-inflammatory medications, have your neck massaged, or apply heat packs to the back of your head.

What causes pain behind the ears?

It is important to seek medical attention because there are a number of possible conditions that can cause pain in the ear or headaches. You need to get a correct diagnosis in order to alleviate the pain. Potential conditions that can be difficult to diagnose include:

  • Swimmer’s Ear: Also known as Otis external, it is an infection in the outer ear. The water left in the ear canal after swimming can cause a swimmer’s ear by creating a moist, bacterial-friendly environment. The thin skin layer lining the ear canal can be damaged by putting your fingers, cotton swabs, or other objects into your ears. (Mayo Clinic 2019). This condition can be treated easily with eardrops. The symptoms include a yellow-green or clear discharge, a feeling of fullness in the ear, and redness and swelling around the ear canal. You should consult your doctor if you notice any of these symptoms because they can get worse over time. If your infection is severe, you may also need oral antibiotics.
  • Occipital Neuralgia is One of the most common conditions causing pain behind the ears. The pain is described as an electric shock-like, chronic pain on one side of the upper neck, behind the ear, and at your back. The sharp pain behind the ear is often mistaken for a headache, but the condition usually starts in the neck and then moves upwards. Some people experience pain behind or in front of the eyes. Healthline, 2019) states that it can cause scalp sensitivity. The pain of occipital neuropathy is caused by pressure on the occipital nervous system. This can be due to inflammation or injuries. Doctors often have difficulty diagnosing the cause. If you feel extreme pain, your healthcare provider may prescribe antidepressants and local nerve block injections or steroids.
  • Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorders: There is a temporomandibular joint on both sides. You will have difficulty articulating your mouth or controlling other movements in your face if you suffer from this condition. It is difficult to determine the exact cause of this condition because it can be caused by many factors, including genetics and arthritis. You can usually take care of it yourself. Surgery is a last resort when it comes to Temporomandibular Joint Disorders. It is done after all other options have failed. If you are experiencing pain and cannot move your jaw, seek immediate medical attention.
  • Mastoiditis This is a serious bacterial infection that occurs in the area behind the ear called the mastoid. It affects children more than adults. The bone can become inflamed or infected due to an untreated infection in the middle ear. Mastoiditis is characterized by hearing loss in the affected ear. It can also cause a fever, redness, swelling, and discharge from the ear. If you are experiencing symptoms of mastoiditis and your treatment has not worked, you should visit the clinic or hospital as soon as possible. You will need a myringotomy to drain your middle ear or a mastoidectomy in order to remove the infected portion of the mastoid.
  • Earwax buildup: Your body produces earwax to protect your ears. If you don’t treat the earwax, it can cause hearing loss, dizziness, and pain in your ears, as well as ringing. In this case, it is easy to diagnose the problem because your doctor will insert a device into your ear to check for earwax.
  • Dental causes: When a person has a tooth abscess, the brain may mistakenly believe that the pain comes from the ear. It will then send pain receptors to the ears instead of the tooth, which can cause pain behind the ear.
  • Ramsay Hunt Syndrome Also called “herpes zoster oticus,” this syndrome occurs mainly during an outbreak of shingles and is caused by the same varicella zoster, the virus that causes chickenpox. This syndrome is caused by the activation of the inactive varicella-zoster virus, which causes facial paralysis as well as a painful blistering rash on the mouth or ear.

How can we diagnose ear pain behind the ear?

A correct diagnosis is crucial to ensure a quick recovery. Pain behind the ear may be caused by a variety of factors. A physician will take the following steps:

  • Checking your medical history
  • Information about recent injuries to the neck, head, or spine
  • Physical examinations are conducted to determine if the pain is due to “occipital neurons.” Examining the back of the skull by pressing hard. A shot can also be used to dull the pain. If the pain disappears, the occipital is most likely the culprit.
  • Doctors may recommend blood tests or an MRI in severe cases to eliminate other possible causes.
  • The doctor will test for mastoiditis if the patient is feverish or has discharge coming from their ears.
  • The doctor will examine the patient’s jaw and suggest that they visit a dentist if all other causes have been ruled out.

What causes the ear pain, and how can we treat it?

According to the cause of the disease, the patient is given a specific treatment:

  • Occipital Neuralgia In this case, since the pain comes from neck problems, it is recommended to take muscle relaxants, anti-inflammatory drugs, and pain relievers. The patient should also exercise their neck to avoid it being in one position for long periods of time. In cases where the pain is more severe, corticosteroids can be injected.
  • Mastoiditis: First, antibiotics are prescribed. If no improvement is observed, the middle ear should be drained. In severe cases, the mastoid should be removed.
  • TMJ: Pain relief, anti-inflammatories, and muscle relaxants will help to ease the pain. Treatments include physical therapy, oral braces, arthrocentesis, corticosteroid shots, and arthroscopic or open joint surgery.