Friendly ear care advice: when to ask for help
Our ears help us stay connected to the people and world around us. Sometimes your hearing may seem fine, but your ears can still feel sore, itchy, irritated, blocked, or wet. This guide explains what may be happening, what you can do safely at home, and when it is best to ask a pharmacist, GP, NHS 111, or an audiology professional for advice.
If your hearing is OK but your ears are irritated, painful, or leaking
Ear irritation can happen for many reasons. Common causes include dry skin, eczema, water in the ear, wax build-up, wearing earplugs or hearing devices, or an infection in the ear canal. Earache can also come from an ear infection, a cold, jaw problems, dental pain, or pressure changes after flying.
If the ear is leaking fluid, pus, or blood, it is best to get medical advice. Fluid from the ear can be linked with infection or, sometimes, a small hole in the eardrum. Try not to panic, but do not ignore it.
- Do not put cotton buds, fingers, hair grips, or other objects into the ear.
- Do not try to dig out wax yourself.
- Keep the ear dry if it is sore, infected, or leaking.
- Wipe away any discharge from the outside of the ear only.
- Ask a pharmacist for advice if symptoms are mild and you are unsure what to try.
You should seek help sooner if there is swelling around the ear, a high temperature, new hearing loss, dizziness, severe pain, or if the person feels generally unwell. For children under 12 months, or any child who seems very unwell, ask for medical advice promptly.
What is tinnitus?
Tinnitus is the name for hearing a sound that is not coming from outside the body. People often describe it as ringing, buzzing, humming, hissing, whistling, whooshing, or a pulsing sound. It may be in one ear, both ears, or feel as if it is in the head.
Tinnitus is common and is not usually a sign of anything serious. It can be linked with hearing loss, earwax, ear infection, stress, some medicines, or exposure to loud noise. If tinnitus is new, constant, getting worse, affecting sleep or concentration, or beating in time with your pulse, it is sensible to speak to a GP or hearing professional.
How can tinnitus be reduced?
There is not one single cure that works for everyone, but many people can make tinnitus easier to live with. The aim is often to reduce how noticeable or upsetting the sound feels.
- Use gentle background sound, such as soft music, radio, nature sounds, or a bedside sound app, especially in quiet rooms.
- Protect your ears from very loud noise, but do not overprotect them in everyday sound.
- Try relaxation, breathing exercises, walking, yoga, or another calming routine.
- Improve sleep habits by keeping regular bedtimes and reducing caffeine late in the day.
- Have your ears checked for wax, infection, or hearing loss, as treating these may help.
- If tinnitus is distressing, ask about tinnitus support, hearing therapy, counselling, or hearing aids if hearing loss is present.
What is best to give someone with earache?
For most people, the safest first step for earache is comfort and pain relief. Paracetamol or ibuprofen may help, if the person can take them safely. Always follow the instructions on the packet, use the correct dose for age and weight, and do not give aspirin to children under 16.
A warm flannel held gently against the outside of the ear may also ease discomfort. Do not put oil, drops, cotton buds, or anything else into the ear unless a pharmacist, GP, nurse, or audiologist has advised it, especially if there is discharge or a possible burst eardrum.
Get medical advice if earache lasts more than 2 to 3 days, keeps coming back, is severe, or comes with fluid from the ear, swelling, fever, dizziness, vomiting, new hearing loss, or if the person is a baby or very young child. If you are worried, it is always better to ask for advice.
A final reassuring note
Most ear problems are manageable, and many settle with simple care. The important thing is to protect the ear, avoid poking or scratching inside it, and get the right help when symptoms are painful, persistent, or unusual. At My Local Audiologist, our aim is to give clear, friendly guidance so you and your family feel confident about what to do next.
