Skip to main navigation Skip to main content Skip to footer For Individuals & Families: For Individuals & Families For Individuals & Families Shop for Plans Member Guide Member Guide Find a Doctor Find a Doctor Log in to myCigna

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:

  • Infection of the middle ear (acute otitis mediaacute otitis media).
  • Inflammation or infection of the ear canal (otitis externaotitis externa).
  • A buildup of fluid behind the eardrum (otitis media with effusionotitis media with effusion), without infection.

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 eardrumburst the eardrum 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 tubeeustachian tube 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 earwaxearwax.
  • 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 diseaseMénière's disease or an acoustic neuromaacoustic neuroma.
  • 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 disordertemporomandibular disorder), salivary gland infectionsalivary gland infection, or a sinus infectionsinus infection.

Check Your Symptoms Self-Care Preparing For Your Appointment

Current as of: October 27, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC StaffIgnite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review BoardClinical Review Board
All Ignite Healthwise, LLC education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Ignite Healthwise, LLC, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of UseTerms of Use. Learn how we develop our contenthow we develop our content.

© 2024-2025 Ignite Healthwise, LLC.

Related Links

Page Footer

I want to...

Audiences

Secure Member Sites

The Cigna Group Information

 Cigna. All rights reserved.

Disclaimer

Individual and family medical and dental insurance plans are insured by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (CHLIC), Cigna HealthCare of Arizona, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Illinois, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Georgia, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of North Carolina, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of South Carolina, Inc., and Cigna HealthCare of Texas, Inc. Group health insurance and health benefit plans are insured or administered by CHLIC, Connecticut General Life Insurance Company (CGLIC), or their affiliates (see a listing of the legal entities a listing of the legal entities that insure or administer group HMO, dental HMO, and other products or services in your state). Accidental Injury, Critical Illness, and Hospital Care plans or insurance policies are distributed exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of Cigna Corporation, are administered by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, and are insured by either (i) Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (Bloomfield, CT); (ii) Life Insurance Company of North America (“LINA”) (Philadelphia, PA); or (iii) New York Life Group Insurance Company of NY (“NYLGICNY”) (New York, NY), formerly known as Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York. The Cigna name, logo, and other Cigna marks are owned by Cigna Intellectual Property, Inc. LINA and NYLGICNY are not affiliates of Cigna.

All insurance policies and group benefit plans contain exclusions and limitations. For availability, costs and complete details of coverage, contact a licensed agent or Cigna sales representative. This website is not intended for residents of New Mexico.

Selecting these links will take you away from Cigna.com to another website, which may be a non-Cigna website. Cigna may not control the content or links of non-Cigna websites. Details Details