A 35-year-old member asked:
what could be the cause of occasional ear pain?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

Dr. Scott Harwoodanswered
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 45 years experience
Ear Infection or TMJ: You should first see an ENT specialist to rule out an ear infection. If that has been ruled out then it may be related to a TMJ problem in which case you should see an oral surgeon.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
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Similar questions
A 31-year-old member asked:
What can cause a terrible ear pain and loud roaring sound?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in

Dr. Steven Levineanswered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 40 years experience
Ear: Ear pain is often a sign of inflammation. The loud roaring sound is known as "tinnitus", and is the normal ear's response to a sudden change in hearing. I recommend you see an otolaryngologist (ent).
6.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
CA
A 22-year-old member asked:
Can a wet towel reduce my ear pain?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

Dr. David Astrachananswered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 37 years experience
Only if it's not ear: If your ear pain is in reality jaw pain (which is far more likely) then a hot wet towel can feel good. If, in fact, it is an ear infection it won't help at all. Feel around your jaw joint and press while you open and close your mouth. If it is uncomfortable or hurts you have your answer.
5.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:
Why do I have ear pain when I fly?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

Dr. Bernstein Joelanswered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 60 years experience
Poor Eustachian tube: The ability to equalize pressure on descent in an airplane requires a normal functioning eustachian tube. This is the passageway between the back of the nose and the middle ear space. Either a genetic narrowing of this tube or the scarring of the tube following ear infection in childhood are the two major reasons for your problem. If you fly often, ventilation tubes will be the answer.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:
Random sharp ear pain?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in

Dr. Bernstein Joelanswered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 60 years experience
Neuritic pain: Sharp stabbing pain in the ear is rarely the result of ear infection which is persistent pain associated with hearing loss. Two possible reasons could be firing off of nerves that innervate the region of the ear (trigeminal neuralgia) or the pain may be arising from structures around the ear as the jaw joint or the muscles of mastication.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:
What could cause sharp ear pain for seemingly no reason?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

Dr. Guy Hansonanswered
Dentistry 37 years experience
TMD: You may have temporal mandibular joint dysfunction. Have it evaluated by a dentist to determine the cause. It may be due to sleep apnea.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:
Last updated Jun 10, 2014
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