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My ears hurt.

Are you experiencing symptoms like "my ear hurts..."?

A child suddenly complains of ear pain. They have a throbbing pain deep inside their ear. Their ear hurts when touched. Their ear has been hurting since flying. They have ear discharge. Moving their jaw causes pain around the ear. The symptom of "ear pain" can be caused by more than just acute otitis media.
There are various causes, including otitis externa, earwax buildup, Eustachian tube problems, and jaw joint abnormalities.
Especially in young children, they may not be able to communicate their symptoms well themselves.
"They're in a bad mood," "They keep touching their ears," "They're crying more at night."
It can sometimes appear in this form.
At Honda ENT Clinic, we provide comprehensive examinations of the ears, nose, and throat.
We provide treatment tailored to the cause.

子どもが急に耳を痛がる 耳の奥がズキズキする 耳を触ると痛い 飛行機のあとから耳が痛い 耳だれが出ている あごを動かすと耳の周りが痛む 「耳が痛い」という症状には、急性中耳炎だけで

Main causes of ear pain

① Acute otitis media

This is one of the most common causes.
After a cold or runny nose, bacteria and viruses from the back of the nose can enter the ear.
Inflammation occurs in the middle ear.
This is especially common in young children.

~Common Symptoms~

,・ear pain・fever・irritability・crying at night・ear discharge・hearing difficulties

② Otitis externa (inflammation of the opening of the ear)

Excessive ear cleaning, earphones, swimming pools, etc. can be triggers.
This is a disease in which the opening of the ear becomes inflamed.

〜よくある症状〜
・耳を触ると痛い・耳の入り口が痛い・かゆみ・耳だれ
・イヤホンが痛くて入らない

③ Earwax buildup

Earwax can harden and press against the skin, causing pain.
This can be a particular reason why children dislike having their ears cleaned.
Because forcefully using an ear pick can push the earwax further inside,
Caution is advised.

~Common Symptoms~
- Ear discomfort, ear pain, hearing loss, feeling of fullness in the ear

④ Eustachian tube dysfunction/barotrauma

When changes in air pressure occur in airplanes, bullet trains, tunnels, or while diving,
Sometimes, difficulty equalizing the pressure in the ears can cause pain.

~Symptoms~
- Ear blockage, pain, muffled sound, difficulty hearing

⑤ Temporomandibular joint disorder

Actually, the cause might be your jaw, not your ears.
Inflammation of the temporomandibular joint, located just in front of the ear.
This can sometimes be felt as pain around the ear.

~Common Symptoms~

- My jaw hurts when I move it. - My mouth clicks when I open it.

- Pain when eating - Pain in front of the ear

⑥ Referred pain due to throat inflammation

You may experience ear pain due to throat illnesses such as tonsillitis or pharyngitis.
Even if there is nothing wrong with the ear itself,
Ear pain can sometimes be felt due to nerve connections.

急性中耳炎 子どもに最も多い耳の痛みの原因です。 風邪や鼻水のあと、 鼻と耳をつなぐ「耳管」を通って炎症が広がり、 鼓膜の奥に膿がたまることで痛みが出ます。 よくある症状 強い耳の

Common signs of ear pain in children

Please pay attention to the following signs when caring for young children.
Touching the ears, irritability, crying at night, fever, persistent runny nose, sudden crying, loss of appetite. Especially "runny nose + ear pain" often indicates otitis media.
It is recommended to see a doctor as soon as possible.

小さなお子さんでは、次のような様子に注意してください。 耳を触る 不機嫌 夜泣き 発熱 鼻水が続いている 急に泣き出す 食欲低下 特に「鼻水＋耳痛」は中耳炎のことが多く、 早めの受

Examinations performed at Honda ENT Clinic

At Honda ENT Clinic, we examine not only your ears but also the condition of your nose and throat.
Main examination procedures: Otoscopy, Ear endoscopy, Nose and throat examination, Hearing test (if necessary)
Timpanometry (when necessary)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q. My child keeps touching their ear. Could it be an ear infection?
It could be otitis media. Especially if it is accompanied by a runny nose or fever.
We recommend you see a doctor as soon as possible.

Q. Should I clean my ears every day?
Generally, frequent ear cleaning is not necessary.
Excessive ear cleaning can lead to otitis externa (ear infection).

Q. Is there a way to prevent ear pain on an airplane?
Yawning, swallowing saliva, and chewing gum can help equalize the pressure in your ears.
When you have a severe stuffy nose, it's important not to push yourself too hard.

From Honda ENT Clinic

The symptom of "ear pain" can have various causes, including acute otitis media, otitis externa, and Eustachian tube problems.
In particular, it is often associated with nasal symptoms in children.
Treating the nose is just as important as treating the ears.
If you experience persistent ear pain, please feel free to contact us.

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