Ear Pain
The middle ear is the one located between the eardrum and inner ear; it is a cavity that has a short narrow drainage called the Eustachian tube into the nasal cavities.
When caused by a cold or a bacterial infection causes obstruction of the Eustachian tube due to swelling prevents the normal drainage of fluid from the middle ear to the outside and the fluid builds up which can cause stuffiness, pain and loss of hearing. Symptoms of an ear infection may include fever, ear pain in children increased crying and irritability.
There is also a mild hearing loss during or immediately after the ear infection. Rarely has a hearing loss is permanent, but the risk increases the more infections you have. In children and babies pain is not always from infection; however other causes should be considered as the accumulation of water for bathing, soap or shampoo retention, or ear canal irritation from the use of swabs. Ear pain can be primary or secondary. Primary ear pain originates on the same ear; the examples include otitis media and external otitis. Otitis media is an infection of the middle portion of the ear behind the eardrum. It is very common in children but less common in adults.
External otitis, also known as "swimmer's ear" and is presented in the ear canal. Swimmers and people who frequently use cotton swabs tend to suffer more infection. In adults, external otitis is more common than otitis media. Secondary ear pain means pain from a disease that originates outside of the ear. Because of the way in which the nerves run in the head, the pain may be perceived as being in the ear. Examples include dental abscesses, the temporomandibular joint syndrome and tonsillitis.