Symptoms of Ear Infection: How to Know, Treat, and When to Worry

That sharp, stabbing pain in your ear that makes you wince every time you swallow — it’s hard to ignore. Ear infections are one of the most common reasons people visit the doctor, especially in young children. About 75% of children will experience at least one ear infection by age three, according to the CDC (U.S. public health authority). Knowing exactly what you’re dealing with can make a big difference in how you handle it.

Children who experience at least one ear infection by age 3: 75% ·
Average duration of a middle ear infection: 3 to 7 days ·
Ear infections that resolve without antibiotics: 80%

Four key facts summarize the basics of ear infections across age groups.

How to know if you have an ear infection?

How can I tell if my ear is infected?

• Earache or pain in one or both ears — often worse when lying down (Mayo Clinic (U.S. academic medical center))
• Fever of 38°C or higher (NHS (UK national health service))
• Difficulty hearing or muffled sounds (CDC (U.S. public health authority))
• Fluid, pus, or blood draining from the ear (Mayo Clinic (U.S. academic medical center))

The implication: These symptoms overlap with colds and sinus infections, but ear pain is more localized and often worse at night.

How to tell if it’s an ear infection or not?

• Ear pain alone could be from teething, TMJ, or a tooth abscess (WebMD (health information publisher))
• If the outer ear hurts when pulled or pressed, it points to an outer ear infection (NSW Emergency Care Institute (Australian state health authority))
• Cold symptoms like runny nose and cough often precede middle ear infections (Mayo Clinic (U.S. academic medical center))

The catch: Without a doctor’s look inside the ear, it’s easy to guess wrong.

What is a red flag for ear pain?

• Severe pain that suddenly stops — could indicate a torn eardrum (Mayo Clinic (U.S. academic medical center))
• High fever above 39°C (NHS (UK national health service))
• Swelling behind the ear, facial muscle twitching, or severe headache (MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine))
• Hearing loss that doesn’t improve after the infection clears (CDC (U.S. public health authority))

What are the symptoms of an inner ear infection?

What are the symptoms of a middle ear infection?

• Ear pain or pressure (Mayo Clinic (U.S. academic medical center))
• Fever, vomiting, and difficulty hearing (NHS (UK national health service))
• Ear discharge (pus or fluid) (CDC (U.S. public health authority))
• In children: tugging at the ear, irritability, trouble sleeping (NHS (UK national health service))

The pattern: Middle ear infections are the classic childhood ear infection, with symptoms that often follow a cold.

What are the symptoms of an outer ear infection?

• Itchiness, redness, swelling in the ear canal (healthdirect (Australian government health service))
• Pain when pulling the outer ear or pressing on the tragus (NSW Emergency Care Institute (Australian state health authority))
• Discharge of pus or fluid, sometimes with a foul odor (healthdirect (Australian government health service))
• Ringing or buzzing in the ear (NSW Emergency Care Institute (Australian state health authority))

What causes ear infections?

• Bacterial or viral infection — often after a cold or flu (Mayo Clinic (U.S. academic medical center))
• Fluid buildup in the middle ear from Eustachian tube dysfunction (NHS (UK national health service))
• Allergies, smoking, or exposure to secondhand smoke (CDC (U.S. public health authority))

What are the main risk factors for ear infections?

• Age: children under 3 are most vulnerable (CDC (U.S. public health authority))
• Bottle feeding (especially while lying down) vs. breastfeeding (Mayo Clinic (U.S. academic medical center))
• Daycare attendance — increases exposure to respiratory infections (NHS (UK national health service))
• Weak immune system or chronic illness (MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine))
• Seasonal allergies or sinus problems (healthdirect (Australian government health service))

The trade-off: Many risk factors are modifiable, but the single biggest one — age — is simply a matter of waiting for children’s immune systems to mature.

How to fix an ear infection?

Will ear infection go away on its own?

• Yes — about 80% of middle ear infections resolve without antibiotics within 3 to 7 days (CDC (U.S. public health authority))
• The body’s immune system clears the infection naturally in many cases (healthdirect (Australian government health service))

Will an ear infection heal on its own in adults?

• Adults can also recover without antibiotics, but the infection is more likely to be bacterial and may require treatment (MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine))
• Watchful waiting for 48–72 hours is common if symptoms are mild (NHS (UK national health service))

When to see a doctor for ear pain?

• Symptoms last more than 3 days (CDC (U.S. public health authority))
• High fever (over 39°C) or severe pain (NHS (UK national health service))
• Pus or blood draining from the ear (Mayo Clinic (U.S. academic medical center))
• Sudden hearing loss or dizziness (healthdirect (Australian government health service))
• Swelling behind the ear or facial muscle weakness (MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine))
• Children under 12 months old should always get medical advice (NHS (UK national health service))

Home care steps

1. Apply a warm compress to the affected ear for 10–15 minutes (healthdirect (Australian government health service))
2. Take over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen (Mayo Clinic (U.S. academic medical center))
3. Rest in an upright position to reduce ear pressure (NHS (UK national health service))
4. Stay hydrated to help thin mucus (CDC (U.S. public health authority))
5. Avoid putting anything in the ear (no cotton swabs, drops unless prescribed) (NSW Emergency Care Institute (Australian state health authority))

What can be mistaken for an ear infection?

What conditions are commonly misdiagnosed as ear infections?

• Teething pain in babies — can cause ear pulling and irritability (WebMD (health information publisher))
• Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders — jaw pain that radiates to the ear (Mayo Clinic (U.S. academic medical center))
• Sinusitis — pressure and pain around the ears and face (NHS (UK national health service))
• Tooth abscess — severe pain that can be referred to the ear (MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine))
• Mastoiditis — infection of the bone behind the ear, a serious complication (CDC (U.S. public health authority))
• Foreign object in the ear — especially in children, can cause pain and discharge (NSW Emergency Care Institute (Australian state health authority))

“Ear infection symptoms include pain, high temperature, vomiting, and lack of energy.”

— HSE (Health Service Executive Ireland, national health authority)

“Symptoms of an ear infection include earache, difficulty hearing, and discharge.”

— NHS (UK national health service)

For parents and adults alike, the key takeaway is that ear infections are common, usually self-limiting, but demand attention when red flags appear. The choice to wait or treat hinges on age, severity, and type — and that’s a decision best made with a healthcare provider’s look inside the ear.

Frequently asked questions