Pain in Ear When Swallowing: Ear and Throat Infections, Other Causes Health ConditionsDiscoverPlanConnectShop Subscribe Why Does My Ear Hurt When I Swallow Medically reviewed by Judith Marcin, M.D. — By Corinne O'Keefe Osborn — Updated on September 18, 2018 Ear infections Nose and throat infections Other causes Takeaway Ear pain comes in many different shapes and sizes. Sometimes it throbs for hours. Sometimes it only hurts when you touch it. In other cases, it might only show up when you’re doing something that doesn’t involve your ears, such as swallowing. Keep reading to learn more about the common causes of ear pain when swallowing, and how you can treat them. Ear infectionsA common cause of ear pain when swallowing is an ear infection. Most ear infections are caused by a bacterial or viral infection in the middle ear. They usually cause swelling, fluid buildup, and irritation inside your ear, which can cause pain. Ear infections are common in children, but adults can also get them. When you get an ear infection as an adult, the symptoms may be slightly different than they were during your childhood. Middle ear infection Middle ear infections, also called acute otitis media, are the most common. They affect the space behind your eardrum. That air-filled space contains small, vibrating bones that allow you to hear. It’s connected to your throat by a pair of narrow tubes called Eustachian tubes.Most ear infections are started by another condition, such as a cold, flu, sinus infection or allergies. The Eustachian tubes normally drain fluid from the middle ear. When you’re congested, your Eustachian tubes can clog up. The fluid that accumulates around the blockage can become infected. The Eustachian tubes are also responsible for maintaining pressure in the middle ear. When you swallow, yawn, or sneeze. the tubes open up to release pressure, which can be painful in an infected ear. Signs of an ear infection in young children can include:ear pain that gets worse when lying downtugging or pulling at the ear (if it occurs along with other symptoms)crying more than usualmore irritable than usualfever above 100° Floss of appetitedrainage of fluid from the earloss of balancetrouble sleepingheadache Adults with a middle ear infection may experience:low-grade feverear paindrainage of fluid from the eardifficulty hearing Many middle ear infections improve on their own within one week. Certain children may benefit from oral antibiotics, but they’re often unnecessary, particularly in adults. Swimmer s ear Swimmer s ear is a type of otitis externa or outer ear infection. It’s a different type of ear infection that affects your outer ear. When you swim or take a shower, water can fill your ear canal. This creates a warm, moist environment that’s ideal for bacteria and fungus to grow. An outer ear infection isn’t always caused by water. Germs can also enter the ear canal through a foreign object, such as your finger. Q-tips and fingernails can injure the delicate lining of the inner ear that protects it from infection. Skin conditions, such as eczema, can also make a person more prone to this type of infection. Pain from an outer ear infection often gets worse when the ear is tugged or stretched. The pain may become more intense when you’re chewing and swallowing. The pain can radiate throughout the affected side of your face. Other symptoms of an outer ear infection include:redness and swelling of the earitching inside earfoul-smelling dischargesense of fullness in eartrouble hearingThis infection usually clears up after 7 to 10 days of medicated ear drops. Over-the-counter pain relievers can help to reduce the pain while you recover. Nose and throat infections Although ear infections are a common cause of ear pain, they sometimes begin as nose or throat infections. Children can develop complications from nose and throat infections because of the activity of their immune system. Children have small pads of immune tissue called adenoids at the back of their nasal passages near the Eustachian tubes. The adenoids play an important role in the immune system of children. Adenoids are largest during childhood and typically shrink down by early adulthood.The adenoids work by reacting to germs that enter through the mouth and nose. Sometimes, adenoids can become so large in response to an infection, that they block the Eustachian tubes, leading to middle ear infections. Tonsillitis Tonsillitis is inflammation and infection of the tonsils, typically caused by a throat infection. The tonsils are two round pads of immune tissue at the back of your throat. The main symptom of tonsillitis is a sore throat, but it can also cause:difficulty swallowingtender lymph nodes in your neckswollen, red, or inflamed tonsilswhite patches at the back of your throatfeverheadachestomach acherashbad breathscratchy, muffled voiceThe most common cause of tonsillitis is a bacterial infection. The same bacteria that causes strep throat (group A Streptococcus) causes most tonsillitis. Tonsillitis typically responds well to antibiotics. Peritonsillar abscessA peritonsillar abscess is a collection of pus around one of your tonsils. It’s usually a complication of untreated tonsillitis. The pain is often quite severe and distinctly worse than a regular sore throat. Only one tonsil is usually affected, which means the pain is worse on one side than the other. A peritonsillar abscess often causes pain in the ear of the affected side. The pain when swallowing may feel unbearable. You might also have pain when opening your mouth. Minor surgery is often necessary. Doctors treat the abscess by making an incision or using a small needle to drain the pus. Your doctor may also prescribe a course of antibiotics to treat the underlying tonsillitis and prevent the abscess from coming back. Other causes Eagle syndrome Eagle syndrome is a rare disorder that causes recurring pain in the back of the throat and the face. The throat pain is usually dull and persistent and often radiates to the ear. The pain gets worse when you move your head. Other symptoms include:trouble swallowingfeeling like something’s stuck in your throatringing in your earsneck painfacial pain Eagle syndrome is caused by problems with the ligaments and small bones of the neck or skull. It usually requires surgery to correct the problem. Glossopharyngeal neuralgiaGlossopharyngeal neuralgia (GPN) is another rare condition that can be extremely painful. It involves a nerve of the head and neck known as the glossopharyngeal nerve. GPN is characterized by short, intense episodes of stabbing pain that are often triggered by cold liquids, swallowing, yawning, talking, coughing, or chewing. The pain is often focused around one ear, but can also include the tongue, back of the throat, face, or under the jaw.GPN episodes usually last about two minutes and are followed by a period of dull aching. Treatment for GPN often involves prescription medications designed to treat neuropathic pain, such as pregabalin and gabapentin. Surgery may benefit those not helped by medications. Temporomandibular joint dysfunction Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction affects the joint that you use every time you open or close your mouth. The joint is where your jaw bone connects to your skull. A small disk of cartilage on each side of the joint separates the bones of your jaw from your skull, and allows them to glide easily when you swallow, talk, or chew. Because you use this joint so often, damage can lead to considerable pain. Many people feel this pain in their ears as well. Other symptoms of TMJ problems include:trouble opening your mouth widesoreness and discomfort in your jawlocking of the jawclicking, popping, or grinding noises when opening your mouthchronic headaches and neck painringing in the ears There are several ways to damage the TMJ, including trauma, teeth grinding, and excessive gum chewing. Treatment typically involves lifestyle changes, rest, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). The bottom line There are many things that can cause pain in the ear while swallowing. In many cases, it’s likely due to an ear or throat infection. While both of these may improve on their own within a week, you may need prescription medication. If the pain doesn’t go away, contact your doctor to make sure it’s not a sign of another underlying condition. Last medically reviewed on December 6, 2017 12 sourcescollapsed Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Eagle syndrome. (2017). rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/9401/eagle-syndromeEar infection. (2017). cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/community/for-patients/common-illnesses/ear-infection.htmlEar infections in children. (2017). nidcd.nih.gov/health/ear-infections-childrenEustachian tube dysfunction. (2017). familydoctor.org/condition/eustachian-tube-dysfunction/Mayo Clinic Staff. (2015). Tonsillitis. mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tonsillitis/basics/treatment/con-20023538?p=1Mayo Clinic Staff. (2017). Ear infection (middle ear). mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ear-infections/symptoms-causes/syc-20351616Otitis externa (swimmer's ear). (2015). my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/swimmers-earSingh PM, et al. (2013). An uncommonly common: Glossopharyngeal neuralgia. DOI: 10.4103/0972-2327.107662Steyer TE. (2002). Peritonsillar abscess: Diagnosis and treatment. aafp.org/afp/2002/0101/p93.htmlTonsils and adenoids. (2017). entnet.org/content/tonsils-and-adenoidsTMJ. (2010). entnet.org/content/tmjYasmeenahamed S, et al. (2015). Eagle's syndrome - Masquerading as ear pain: Review of literature. DOI: 10.4103/0975-7406.163455 FEEDBACK: Medically reviewed by Judith Marcin, M.D. — By Corinne O'Keefe Osborn — Updated on September 18, 2018 Read this next Chronic Ear Infection Medically reviewed by Karen Gill, M.D. A chronic ear infection can be an ear infection that doesn’t heal or a recurring ear infection. Your doctor will need to help you treat it. READ MORE Why Does My Ear Feel Clogged? 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