When you have an ear infection, you may experience other symptoms that may surprise you. Many people don’t realize that ear infections can cause discomfort in the throat and jaw. If you are experiencing these symptoms—there is actually a clear scientific explanation for why this happens.

Dr. Brent Driskill, a Mount Nittany Health Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) provider, shares insight into how these are connected.

Understanding different types of ear infections

Not all ear pain comes from the same source. In adults, outer ear infections (otitis externa) are much more common than middle ear infections. “It is historically referred to as “swimmers’ ear,” Dr. Driskill explained. “Otitis externa frequently causes pain that can radiate to the jaw area.”

Middle ear infections (otitis media) are common in children but rarely occur in adults. Otitis media typically doesn’t cause much pain. Adults can also experience Eustachian tube dysfunction, which can cause discomfort but usually not severe pain.

Understanding the ENT connection

Knowing the anatomy is key to understanding the connection between the ear, nose, and throat. Your ears connect to your throat through small passages called Eustachian tubes. These tubes help regulate ear pressure and drain fluid from your middle ear into your throat. When an infection develops, it can affect the entire system.

Your facial nerves can also affect how the pain is distributed. These nerves carry pain signals from one region to another, so you might feel pain in multiple areas when inflammation or infection irritates them. Even an ear infection can cause pain in the throat and jaw.

How ear infections can cause additional pain

Outer ear infections often cause the most noticeable pain for adults. The infection and inflammation can irritate nearby nerves, leading to pain that radiates to the jaw. This pain may intensify when moving your jaw or touching the outer ear.

What many adults identify as ear pain might actually stem from temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. “TMJ problems are more common in adults than middle ear infections,” Dr. Driskill explained, “and can cause pain that feels like it’s coming from the ear.”

Prevention and management strategies

Keeping your ears dry and avoiding irritation is the key to preventing outer ear infections. “The biggest culprits for outer ear infections are Q-tips and water exposure,” Dr. Driskill explained. “Keeping the ear dry and not removing the wax with Q-tips is the best preventative measure.”

“For swimmers, I recommend swimmers’ drops after they get out of the pool,” he continued. “If a patient has the habit or needs to dry the ears after a shower, a blow dryer on low can replace Q-tips.”

Home remedies like ear candling aren’t recommended. Dr. Driskill suggested several safe options for ear care:

• A mixture of half acetic acid (vinegar) and water
• For chronically dry ears, olive oil or coconut oil can provide moisture
• Commercial ear drops designed to moisturize the canal are available as well

“Home remedies should be used cautiously and only after getting a proper diagnosis,” Dr. Driskill advised.

When to seek professional care

Since ear pain can have various causes, getting an accurate diagnosis is important. What might seem like an ear infection could be TMJ issues or other conditions requiring different treatments.

Dr. Driskill emphasized, “Just looking at the eardrum is a very unreliable way to diagnose otitis media.” While outer ear infections often cause noticeable pain, middle ear problems are less common in adults. If you’re experiencing severe pain or symptoms that don’t improve, it’s time to consult a healthcare provider.

Schedule an appointment with Mount Nittany Health’s ENT specialists for proper diagnosis and treatment. Our experts can determine the cause of your symptoms and recommend the most effective treatment.