Ear
From hearing the honking of a car horn to the sound of silence, the ear is one way we interact with the world. It is also critical to our balance. And a complex and delicate organ that needs to be protected throughout our life.
Editor's picks
Ringing in the ears (tinnitus) can be a temporary annoyance or a constant problem. Because tinnitus can seriously affect your quality of life, it’s important to see your doctor to get relief.
A lump in front of your ear can be a swollen lymph node, a pimple, or a skin cyst. But it might be skin cancer, so let your doctor take a look.
When you have pain behind the ear, it can be a sign of many things, like an infection called swimmer’s ear. Or from a buildup of earwax. Other times, the pain may not even be coming from your ears, but is a sign of a problem in a different area, including your jaw (TMJ) or a dental issue.
Understand sensitivity to noise symptoms, including 7 causes & common questions.
Ear infections are extremely common infections in kids although adults get them, too. They can be caused by a bacteria, virus, or fungus, and can be very painful, causing ear and head pain. Treatment options may or may not include taking antibiotics.
Earwax can build up in your ear canal and affect your hearing. Earwax blockage is easy to treat, but it should be done by a doctor. Don’t try to treat it at home with cotton swabs or ear candling.
Earache is pain in the inner or outer ear that may interfere with your hearing. Injuries and infections can cause earache. Infections of the ear can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Children are most likely to have ear pain from infections.
Understand your hearing loss symptoms, including 10 causes & treatment options for your hearing loss.
Ear swelling can be caused by an infection of the outer or inner ear, or a skin infection like cellulitis. Other causes of a swollen earlobe can arise from irritation from allergies or trauma from an injury or piercing.
Ear discharge
Ménière’s Disease
Ménière's disease is an inner ear condition that can cause dizziness, vertigo, trouble with balance, ringing in the ear or hearing loss. Usually it only affects one ear. There’s no cure, but treatments can relieve symptoms.
Read article
Relapsing Polychondritis
Relapsing polychondritis causes inflammation and deterioration of cartilage and other tissues, including the ears, nose, eyes, joints, and respiratory tract.
Read article
Outer Ear Pain Causes & How to Treat Outer Ear Infections
Outer ear pain can most commonly be caused by environmental conditions such as water exposure or extreme cold weather that can lead to frostbite of the outer ear. Other causes for ear pain include irritation from obtrusive objects like cotton swabs or fingers.
Read article
Hearing Loss in One Ear Symptoms, Causes & Common Questions
Understand your hearing loss in one ear symptoms, including 9 causes and common questions.
Read article
Otitis Externa: How to Treat Swimmer’s Ear
Otitis externa (known as swimmer’s ear) is an infection in the outer ear canal, which causes inflammation, pain, and some temporary hearing loss. It’s easily treated when addressed early.
Read article
Understanding Ear Canal Pain
An infection of your ear canal is called otitis externa or swimmer's ear. Learn about the symptoms of ear canal pain and why the inside of your ear hurts.
Read article