Ear pain can affect one or both ears, and it can be intermittent or persistent. This can be caused by an infection or a deeper-rooted condition such as temporomandibular disorder (TMD). Regardless of the cause, which you may not know yourself, it is important to seek medical advice as ear pain can cause temporary or permanent hearing loss in some cases.

Causes of Ear Pain

Below are the most common conditions that can cause ear pain:

  • Ear infections
  • Temporomandibular disorders (TMD)
  • Sinus infections
  • Arthritis of the jaw
  • Strep throat
  • Water trapped in the ear, especially after a swim or shower
  • Infected or impacted tooth
  • Chronic facial nerve pain
  • Buildup of wax in the eardrum

It can be difficult to determine the cause of your ear pain yourself. To manage the pain, its cause will first have to be identified. This is where an experienced pain specialist from Head Pain Institute® comes in.

Diagnosing the Cause of Ear Pain

If your ear pain is caused by an issue such as an infection or buildup of wax, the problem can more easily taken care of with eardrops and antibiotics. However, if it is indicative of a deeper problem, you will benefit from a consultation with a doctor who specializes in orofacial pain. As pain can be difficult to quantify, it is important you note down the symptoms that usually accompany your pain as well as form a description of it.

When speaking to your doctor about ear pain, they will likely ask you the following:

  • Whether it occurs in one ear or both
  • How long it lasts
  • What the pain feels like and its intensity
  • Whether it is on and off or consistent

Treatment Options for Ear Pain

If you suffer from ear pain caused by a deeper condition, there are numerous treatment options available:

  • Medications: Over the counter (OTC) drugs may be a short-term solution for reliving pain at home.
  • Therapeutic Botox: Botox is perfectly safe and effective for clinical treatment. For orofacial pain, the botulinum toxin is injected into the affected muscles to restore and improve function.
  • Cold laser treatment: Cold laser treatment makes use of state-of-the-art lasers to cut the tissues around the TMJ. It is painless and non-invasive, and all cold laser machines are FDA approved medical devices. Many patients report an improvement after just 2 to 3 sessions.

Why Choose Head Pain Institute® for Ear Pain Treatment?

When you engage our services at Head Pain Institute®, you have a team of head and orofacial pain specialists with more than eight decades of combined experience behind you. On top of that, we hold a Diplomate status from the American Board of Orofacial Pain (ABOP). Utilizing the latest treatment techniques and equipment, we have successfully performed more than 12,000 procedures since our inception, giving our patients a chance at a new, pain-free existence.

If you have more inquiries about our treatment services for ear pain, feel free to call us at (602) 806-6555 or send an email to info@headpaininstitute.com.