Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesTypesTreatmentTimelineWhen to Be ConcernedPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Types
Treatment
Timeline
When to Be Concerned
Prevention
Ear infectionsin adults may seem obscure, especially if you consider them a childhood condition, but they can affect adults too. Adults can develop these infections from inflammation (swelling) and fluid buildup due to allergies, a cold, or a respiratory infection—many of the same reasons children do.
In this article, you will learn the potential causes of an ear infection in adults, how to know if the problem is serious, and what to do about the pain.
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I’m an Adult, Why Do I Have an Ear Infection?
Ear infections can happen to anyone, regardless of age. They are more common in childhood mainly because ofeustachian tubedysfunction and ear structure.
Eustachian tubes drain fluid from your middle ear. In children, the tubes can be too small or easily become blocked, causing fluid buildup, inflammation, pain, and infection. Ear infections in adults work the same way.
If you have any of the following, you may be at an increased risk for developing an ear infection:
Anyone with an ear can develop an ear infection, but the part of the ear that becomes infected and why can vary.
Types of Ear Infections Seen in Adults
You can develop an ear infection, regardless of your age. The three primary types of ear infections are:
Starting Treatment for Adult Ear Infections
Most ear infections will resolve independently within a few weeks withouttreatment. Over-the-counter pain relievers like Tylenol (acetaminophen) or home remedies like warm compresses can help relieve pain and pressure.
If you develop ear pain after swimming, usingear dropsmay help. Be cautious about what you put in your ears. Don’t use cotton swabs or sharp instruments to clean your ears; talk to a healthcare provider before usingdrying drops or other medications in your ears.
How Soon Do Ear Infections in Adults Go Away?
Most ear infections will go away independently without prescription treatments or antibiotics.
Ear infections that don’t resolve after a week or two or return repeatedly might need in-depth treatment or further examination.Ear paincan signify problems like neurological disorders, jaw trouble, or dental infections.
When Ear Infections in Adults Become Concerning
These are all signs of a severe infection or other disorders that begin with ear changes.
The Adult Approach to Avoiding Repeat Ear Infections
Keeping your ears clean and dryis the best way to avoid outer ear infections. Moisture, wax, and other buildup can provide a hospitable environment for bacteria and cause irritation. However, other factors like cigarette smoking, diabetes, and certain chronic conditions can contribute to repeated ear pain and problems.
Maintaining your physical health with regular exercise and a nutrient-dense diet can help keep your immune system strong and prevent ear infections. Washing your hands and avoiding getting water in your ears and cigarette smoke can also help reduce your risk of ear infections. If you are sick with a cold or have frequent respiratory allergies,control your congestionto reduce fluid buildup in your ears.
Summary
Ear infections aren’t only experienced in childhood, though they become less common as people age. Adults can experience ear infections due to inflammation and fluid buildup in the ears. Most people will heal quickly from an ear infection without treatment or using over-the-counter pain relievers.
Talk to a healthcare provider if you become dizzy, have unusual drainage from your ear, or experience repeated ear infections. These could all be signs of other conditions that require more extensive diagnosis or treatment.
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Middle ear infections in adults.National Institutes of Health.Ear infections in children.Rijk MH, Hullegie S, Schilder AGM, et al.Incidence and management of acute otitis media in adults: A primary care-based cohort study.Family Practice. 2021;38(4):448-453. doi:10.1093/fampra/cmaa150.Gaddey HL, Wright MT, Nelson TN.Otitis media: Rapid evidence review.Am Fam Physician. 2019;100(6):350-356. PMID:31524361.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Healthy swimming: Ear infections.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Antibiotic prescribing and use: Ear infection.Earwood JS, Rogers TS, Rathjen NA.Ear pain: Diagnosing common and uncommon causes.Am Fam Physician. 2018;97(1):20-27. PMID:29365233.American College of Emergency Physicians.Earaches and ear infections.Mills R, Hathorn I.Aetiology and pathology of otitis media with effusion in adult life.The Journal of Laryngology & Otology. 2016;130(5):418-424. doi:10.1017/S0022215116000943.
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Middle ear infections in adults.National Institutes of Health.Ear infections in children.Rijk MH, Hullegie S, Schilder AGM, et al.Incidence and management of acute otitis media in adults: A primary care-based cohort study.Family Practice. 2021;38(4):448-453. doi:10.1093/fampra/cmaa150.Gaddey HL, Wright MT, Nelson TN.Otitis media: Rapid evidence review.Am Fam Physician. 2019;100(6):350-356. PMID:31524361.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Healthy swimming: Ear infections.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Antibiotic prescribing and use: Ear infection.Earwood JS, Rogers TS, Rathjen NA.Ear pain: Diagnosing common and uncommon causes.Am Fam Physician. 2018;97(1):20-27. PMID:29365233.American College of Emergency Physicians.Earaches and ear infections.Mills R, Hathorn I.Aetiology and pathology of otitis media with effusion in adult life.The Journal of Laryngology & Otology. 2016;130(5):418-424. doi:10.1017/S0022215116000943.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Middle ear infections in adults.National Institutes of Health.Ear infections in children.Rijk MH, Hullegie S, Schilder AGM, et al.Incidence and management of acute otitis media in adults: A primary care-based cohort study.Family Practice. 2021;38(4):448-453. doi:10.1093/fampra/cmaa150.Gaddey HL, Wright MT, Nelson TN.Otitis media: Rapid evidence review.Am Fam Physician. 2019;100(6):350-356. PMID:31524361.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Healthy swimming: Ear infections.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Antibiotic prescribing and use: Ear infection.Earwood JS, Rogers TS, Rathjen NA.Ear pain: Diagnosing common and uncommon causes.Am Fam Physician. 2018;97(1):20-27. PMID:29365233.American College of Emergency Physicians.Earaches and ear infections.Mills R, Hathorn I.Aetiology and pathology of otitis media with effusion in adult life.The Journal of Laryngology & Otology. 2016;130(5):418-424. doi:10.1017/S0022215116000943.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Middle ear infections in adults.
National Institutes of Health.Ear infections in children.
Rijk MH, Hullegie S, Schilder AGM, et al.Incidence and management of acute otitis media in adults: A primary care-based cohort study.Family Practice. 2021;38(4):448-453. doi:10.1093/fampra/cmaa150.
Gaddey HL, Wright MT, Nelson TN.Otitis media: Rapid evidence review.Am Fam Physician. 2019;100(6):350-356. PMID:31524361.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Healthy swimming: Ear infections.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Antibiotic prescribing and use: Ear infection.
Earwood JS, Rogers TS, Rathjen NA.Ear pain: Diagnosing common and uncommon causes.Am Fam Physician. 2018;97(1):20-27. PMID:29365233.
American College of Emergency Physicians.Earaches and ear infections.
Mills R, Hathorn I.Aetiology and pathology of otitis media with effusion in adult life.The Journal of Laryngology & Otology. 2016;130(5):418-424. doi:10.1017/S0022215116000943.
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