Earaches can be caused by a variety of factors, including infections, changes in air pressure, and underlying conditions that affect the ears. Here are some of the most common causes of earaches:

• Ear infections: These are a common cause of ear pain, especially in children. Outer ear infections and middle ear infections are the most common types of ear infections.

• Build-up of earwax: When your ear canal gets blocked due to a build-up of earwax, it can cause pain. Its important not to use cotton swabs or other objects to try to remove the wax, as this can push it farther into your ear canal and make it more likely to get impacted.

• Changes in air pressure: When you take off or land in a plane, changes in air pressure can cause ear pain.

• Foreign object in the ear: If there is something in your ear that seems to be causing pain, don’t attempt to remove it yourself. You may push it further inside and you may damage the eardrum.

• Jaw problems: Problems with the jaw joint, called the temporomandibular joint or TMJ, can cause referred pain in the ear.

• Dental problems: Dental problems, such as teeth grinding or a dental infection, can also cause referred pain in the ear.

If you or your child is experiencing ear pain, its important to see a doctor if the pain persists or gets worse, if there is discharge (fluid leaking) from the ear, or if you feel sick or have a fever.