Earaches are never a pleasant experience. If you’ve ever had ear aches or tinnitus, you sure wouldn’t need another person’s witness to its debilitating nature.
But does that warrant your giving up hope on healing? Of course not! In our day of increasing research and innovation, ear aches are nothing to worry about.
With home remedies you can carry out yourself, over-the-counter medications, and recently developed supplements, you are rest assured of recovery from ear aches in no time.
But before we dive into each of these remedies, let’s consider what earache is, its causes, and its symptoms.
What is Earache?
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Earache is a sharp or burning sensation in the ears that arises either in the ear (primary otalgia) or outside them (secondary otalgia).
Often, it’s due to an inflammation or infection of the inner, middle, or external ear.
Usually, people with ear aches complain of its inconvenience in one ear, but it can also come up in both ears.
What are the Causes of Earache?
Eustachian Tube Blockage
Ear ache or pain mostly comes from the blockage of the passageway between the middle ear and the rear side of the nasal cavity. This route is called the eustachian tube. On blockage, air and fluid are stuck, forcing an accumulation of pain and pressure.
Ear infections
Ear infections are also a common source of ear pain, especially in children. Acute otitis media(AOM), which is a middle ear infection, is caused by the buildup of fluid in the middle ear (behind the ear drum precisely). This fluid then becomes a breeding pool for viruses or bacteria.
Short Eustachian Tube
Children are more susceptible to ear infections partially because they have a shorter and straighter eustachian tube, making the draining process harder. Furthermore, their immune systems are weaker and just developing. Hence, they have a weaker opposition to these microorganisms.
Dirty Water
The dirty water that hangs around the outer ear canal is responsible for the swimmers’ ear (otitis externa). It makes for a supportive environment for their proliferation.
Other common causes may include:
- Teeth grinding
- Earwax
- Cavities
- Tonsilitis
- Sinus infections
What are the Symptoms of Earache?
For children, ear aches can come with symptoms as severe as hearing loss. However, the symptoms will fade off as time passes and proper treatment. Here’s a general list of symptoms that accompany ear aches:
- Fever
- Increased crying
- Slight hearing loss
- Ear pain
- Fussiness
- Irritability
- Headache
- Jaw pain
- Loss of appetite (in kids)
- Clicking or popping
Babies and children get restless and pull at their ears.
Aside from these, some symptoms are dependent on the underlying cause of the ache.
For example, inflammation of the outer ear (helix auricle) manifests as redness, swelling, and clotting or hematoma.
Swimmer’s ear or otitis externa has symptoms such as itching, tinnitus (ear ringing), drainage, and decreased hearing.
Middle ear infection (otitis media) symptoms include deep pain, labyrinthitis (inner ear inflammation), nausea, loss of balance, vertigo (sense of room spinning),
When the ache occurs due to a structure in the ear, the symptoms will be related to that structure.
For instance, a person with inflamed TMJ may have some aches in the ear but will experience more pain when chewing food.
How is Earache/ Ear infection Treated?
There’s been much evolution in the treatment for earaches in recent times. Although the condition is unpleasant and debilitating, earaches don’t always need antibiotics.
Interestingly, you might not need to leave your home’s comfort before you find your needed earache relief. You can treat earaches in basically three different ways:
- Natural remedies
- Medications
- Supplements
The natural remedies are for not-to-severe earache cases and can be easily done at home with the help of family and friends.
Medications and supplements come in when the case requires them and should be used under medical guidance. Let’s zoom in on each of them.
Natural Earache Remedies
Warm or Cold Compresses
A warm compress is simply a washcloth soaked in warm water, a heating pad, and ice packs wrapped in a towel are well-known methods people have used to relieve pain. But if you prefer either one, you can use just that compress to soothe pain.
Ear ache treatment isn’t any different. Place the damp washcloth or heating pad over the affected ear and switch between cold and warm after 10 minutes. This method is safe and excellent for both kids and adults.
Olive Oil
Olive oil use in earache treatment is largely a folk remedy. Science hasn’t yet proved the efficacy of olive oil in soothing ear pain.
But this method is safe and has provided moderate relief to ear ache patients, according to AAP. Ensure the olive oil has a lesser temperature than that of your body before placing a few drops in your ear.
It protects the eardrum from injury. It’s best to talk to your doctor about this method, especially if it’s used on a child.
Naturopathic Drops
These are ear drops formulated from herbal naturopathic extracts. You can find them in drug stores around you. A study discovered that drops with herbal constituents in olive oil could be just as potent as traditional OTC ear drops in treating ear infection and pain, or even more.
Correct Sleep Posture
If you’ve experienced ear aches, you’d know that sleep positions worsen the condition while some help relieves it. It’s best to allow the affected ear to face up when sleeping than to have it closed down on the pillow.
The raised position supports faster ear drainage if necessary. Head elevation with extra sleep pillows also speeds up ear drainage and eases ear discomfort.
Neck Exercises
Air pressure in the ear canal is a common cause of earaches. However, some neck exercises, particularly neck rotation, helps to ease off this pressure.
With these steps, you can do neck rotation exercises easily:
- Sit up looking straightforward with both of your feet on the ground.
- Gently rotate your head and neck to the right till your head gets to parallel with your shoulder.
- Rotate the other way till your head gets to a parallel with your left shoulder.
- Lift your shoulders well enough to touch your ears.
- While holding them up, move gently and stretch them more for a count of five. Relax afterward.
- Make this your routine for waking hours.
Ginger
Endowed with natural anti-inflammatory compounds that help relieve earaches’ pain. Ginger juice or a warmed infusion of ginger in strained oil does an excellent job when applied around the outer ear canal.
Be careful not to place it directly inside the ear.
Garlic
Garlic is a blend of pain-relief and antibiotic properties. The first step is to crush the garlic and soak it in warm olive oil for a few minutes.
Strain the garlic fibers and place the oil directly into the ear canal.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide isn’t a new member of the natural earache remedy team. It’s been around and effective for years.
To maximize this, apply several hydrogen peroxide drops into the disturbing ear. Hold on for several minutes while it does its work, then rinse it into a sink with pure, distilled water.
Distraction
This trick works best if the earache patient is a child. Placing an attractive distraction around is a good way to take their mind off the pain. You may want to:
- put on a game on your phone
- buy a new coloring book
- bring their favorite snack
- switch on the TV (their favorite show, of course)
- have a bubble bath with many toys around to play with.
If the child is still teething, give them a cooled teething toy to chew.
What about you as an adult? It also works! Treat yourself to your favorite movie or book to take your mind off the pain.
When to use a Home Remedy to Treat Severe Ear Pain
You choose appropriate home remedies for earache by its cause. If the ache stems from the ear cavity, it may not get better until you seek medical care.
However, if it’s the case of an infection, a natural remedy makes the ache bearable as your immune system fights off the responsible infectious microorganisms.
Many ear infections disappear under a week or two, symptoms easing off within a few days. Confirm with your child’s pediatrician if they have ear pain, especially for children below two years old.
If your child has a high fever or one that goes beyond one day, seek medical attention immediately. The doctor knows best whether to go with home remedies first or use an antibiotic.
Medication
Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers
Recent AAP guidelines suggest that doctors should pay more attention to the management of pain in ear infections, not antibiotics. They say this because many times, ear infections ease off on their own, and antibiotic over-use could result in antibiotic-resistance conditions.
The AAP suggests OTC pain relievers like acetaminophen and ibuprofen to control a painful ear infection known as acute otitis media (AOM). With or without antibiotics, pain relievers are safe and effective to use.
However, ensure to follow the dosing directives on the medication’s label.
There is an OTC dosage regimen for kids and infants, but your doctor should advise you best on what exact dose your child needs. Children under 16 should avoid taking aspirin as pain reliever. It’s unsafe for them.
4 Best Supplements for Earache Relief
1. Top Consumer’s Choice: Sonus Complete
Would you be surprised if told that chronic tinnitus had nothing to do with your ears? It’s also not from bacterial or viral infection.
Scientists found that tinnitus is rooted in the brain’s nerve connections. Tinnitus is only an emergency alarm to a dysfunctional brain system—dementia, memory loss, and other memory problems begin to set in.
Sonus Complete comes in at this point and helps to repair and strengthen these brain networks and calm the nervous system down. The intense tinnitus sounds start reducing as brain cells repair.
Your thinking becomes faster and clearer as you keep up with Sonus Complete dosage regimen.
What’s more? The quantity of each ingredient in Sonus complete is such that they are minute enough to trigger allergic reactions.
However, do not take this supplement if you have any allergies to any of the stated ingredients.
Shop at Sonus Complete Official Website
Full Article: Sonus Complete Reviews: Is it Really Effective Against Tinnitus?
2. Best Multi-focused Approach: Synapse XT
Synapse XT is the result of deep research done by supplement veteran Bryant Jones. He’s one with above 20 years of experience.
Synapse XT was developed with natural ingredients that target the grey matter of brain nerve cells and supply them with essential nutrients. The ingredients work together to boost brain health and functionality.
Much more than treating tinnitus, regular intake of Synapse XT helps to promote focus and a good mood. With this supplement, you don’t have to continue the battle with constant ringing in the ears, frustration, and irritation.
It was formulated to be vegetarian friendly as its ingredients are from organic and natural sources.
Pros of Synapse XT
- Reduces brain fatigue
- Safe for prolonged use
- Enhances mood
- Fast delivery time
- Money-back guarantee included
Cons of Synapse XT
- Sometimes not available in the store
- It takes a minimum of two months before one sees a remarkable result.
Shop at Synapse XT Official Amazon Store
Full Article: Synapse XT Reviews: Does it Really Work?
3. Best Inflammation Prevention: Silencil
Chronic tinnitus is related to inflammation in the brain that damages the nerve cells. Therefore, the developers of Silencil added hawthorn and skullcap to the product, both of which can reduce inflammation.
That, in turn, brings some peace to your ears and mind. After the elimination of inflammation, the nerve cells, and brain neuronal networks start to heal and revitalize.
Your brain becomes ten times younger, and your memory becomes stronger. Silencil is manufactured in an FDA-approved facility with high-quality ingredients. It also comes with a 60-day risk-free guarantee.
Shop at Silencil Official Website
Full Article: Silencil Reviews : Does it Really Work?
4. Best Probiotic Content: Ring Hush
Ring Hush is a clinically backed-up supplement that works by destroying harmful brain bacteria. A study has proven that chronic tinnitus can start with the toxin from these bacteria that eats the brain-protecting barrier and synapses.
Ring Hush, therefore, contains psyllium husk, glucomannan root, and bentonite clay, all serving as a potent blend against bacteria and toxins. Once these are dealt with, the synapses begin to heal up, and neuronal networks strengthen.
The product also contains Oat Bran and Apple Pectin, that function as brain and memory steroids. After blood test samples from 5000 volunteers were analyzed, the recommended amount of Ring Hush was concluded to be at least three bottles or the six-bottle package if you need complete recovery.
It also comes with a 60-day risk-free money-back guarantee. In no time, you’ll notice the restoration of a quiet mind.
Shop at Ring Hush Official Website
Full Article: Ring Hush Reviews: Does it Really Work?
Conclusion
In our day of science and innovation, you don’t have to keep battling with earache and tinnitus. There are many ear pain products, but we’ve distilled them to pick them out as the best.
Sonus Complete is our best recommendation as it’s sure to strengthen your brain’s neural network and reduce the discomforting sound of tinnitus. It’s your best bet against those annoying ear ringing sounds!
Synapse XT is also an excellent recommendation as it boosts brain functionality and promotes focus and a good mood.
We believe that when these products are compared to the value they offer, their price is well worth it.
Click here to get Sonus Complete at a Discounted Price
>> Related Article : 5 Best Supplements for Tinnitus • Top Ear Ringing Relief Products of 2024
Earache Relief FAQs
How long do you leave ear relief drops in?
Ear relief drops shouldn’t last beyond 3 to 5 minutes in your ear. After placing the directed number of drops in your ear, gently shake the outer ear, pulling it up and back.
This movement helps the drops reach every part inside the ear. Afterward, let out the liquid.
When should you get relief from ear pain?
You should seek immediate care if you have any of these symptoms:
- Pain in the ear; whether or not you feel feverish.
- Difficulty or loss of hearing in one or both ears.
- Itching in the ear canal.
- Discharge or pus of any form from the ear, especially if it’s yellow, foul-smelling, thick, or bloody.
How do you relieve pressure in your ears?
- Swallow: Your eustachian tube opens on swallowing or yawning, allowing air to flow in and out of the middle ear.
- Chew gum.
- Inhale and pause, then gently exhale as you hold your nostrils closed and your mouth shut.