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Ear Problems And Injuries, Age 12 And Older

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Ear Problems and Injuries, Age 12 and Older

Overview

Ear problems may be caused by many different health problems. But ear pain at any age may be a symptom of:

Ear problems caused by an injury to the ear can occur at any age. Common causes of ear injuries include:

  • A fall or a forceful, direct blow to the side of the head. This can burst the eardrum, Opens dialog or damage the tiny bones in the inner ear that send sound to the brain.
  • An injury during contact sports. Sports can cause injuries such as "cauliflower" ear from wrestling.
  • Loud noises or explosions. They can damage the eardrum (acoustic trauma).
  • Atmospheric pressure change (barotrauma). It can cause problems with the eustachian tube, Opens dialog and trap air in or keep air out of the middle ear. Middle ear problems can be severe. For example, the eardrum can burst or the middle ear can fill with blood or pus. Or they can be mild and only be felt as changes in pressure.
  • Cuts or scrapes. They may injure the outside of the ear or ear canal.
  • Cleaning the ear canal too often, too forcefully, or with a cotton swab, bobby pin, or sharp fingernail. This can cause irritation or injury.
  • Burns or frostbite (thermal injuries).
  • Objects placed in the ear. They can cause injury to the ear canal or the eardrum (tympanic membrane).

Hearing loss often comes with age. As people get older, ear problems are more likely to be related to:

  • Heredity. The age of onset and how quickly the hearing loss happens can often be determined by studying family members with hearing loss.
  • The buildup of earwax, Opens dialog.
  • Exposure to loud noises, such as an air bag set off in a car crash, machines at work, power tools, gunshots, or loud music.
  • Other serious medical problems, such as Ménière's disease, Opens dialog or an acoustic neuroma, Opens dialog.
  • A skin reaction (dermatitis) on the outside of the ear or in the ear canal from perfume, hair dye, or wearing hearing aids.

The ear shares nerves with other parts of the face, eyes, jaw, teeth, and upper neck. Pain that feels as if it is in the ear may be coming from another part of the head or neck. This is called referred ear pain and is more common in older adults. Causes of referred ear pain can include dental problems, jaw pain (temporomandibular disorder, Opens dialog), salivary gland infection, Opens dialog, or a sinus infection, Opens dialog.

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Information about Ear Problems And Injuries, Age 12 And Older

Current as of: October 27, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

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