Pain behind the ears: causes, symptoms & relief

Pain behind the ear is discomfort felt just behind or around the ear, where it connects to the side of the head. This area contains muscles, nerves, joints and parts of the ear, so pain here can have several possible causes.

The sensation can vary. Some people experience a mild ache or general discomfort, while others may notice sharper or stabbing pain. The area may also feel tender when touched, especially when pressing behind the ear or moving the jaw.

Pain behind the ear does not always come from the ear itself. It can also be linked to nearby areas such as the jaw, teeth, neck muscles or nerves. For example, jaw clenching, neck tension or certain dental problems can sometimes lead to pain in this area.

Some people also notice tenderness behind the ear after wearing headphones or glasses for long periods, or when clenching their jaw during the day or at night.

If the pain continues, becomes severe, or occurs alongside symptoms such as hearing changes, dizziness or swelling, it's best to seek advice from a healthcare professional.

Common causes of pain behind the ear

Pain behind the ear can have several possible causes. Sometimes it comes from the ear itself, but it can also be linked to nearby areas such as the jaw, neck muscles, nerves or sinuses.

Discomfort behind ears: symptoms

Pain behind the ear can feel different depending on the cause. Some people notice a dull ache that develops gradually, while others experience sharp or stabbing pain that starts suddenly.

The discomfort may also occur alongside other symptoms affecting the ear, jaw, neck or head.

Pain or discomfort behind the ear

The most common symptom is pain behind one or both ears. This pain may feel:

• Aching

• Throbbing

• Stabbing

• Sharp

Pain may affect one side of the head or both. For some people it comes and goes, while others experience ongoing discomfort. The pain may also worsen when moving the jaw or neck.

Tenderness or sensitivity

The area behind the ear may feel sore or tender when touched. Pressing on the mastoid bone, the bony area just behind the ear, may make the pain worse.

This type of tenderness is often linked to muscle tension, inflammation or problems affecting nearby areas such as the jaw joint.

Some people also notice discomfort when wearing headphones, glasses or masks that put pressure on the area behind the ear.

Earache or ear-related symptoms

If the pain is related to an ear condition, it may occur alongside other ear symptoms such as:

• Earache or pressure inside the ear

• Muffled or reduced hearing

• Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)

• Fluid or discharge from the ear

• A feeling of fullness in the ear

Headaches or migraines

Some people experience headaches along with pain behind the ear. Tension headaches or migraines can cause pain that spreads from the neck or temples to the area behind the ears.

Other symptoms may include neck stiffness, jaw tension or sensitivity to light and sound.

Jaw or TMJ-related pain

Pain behind the ear can sometimes be linked to problems with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which connects the jaw to the skull.

• Symptoms may include:

• Pain when chewing or speaking

• Discomfort when opening or closing the mouth

• Clicking or popping sounds in the jaw

• Jaw stiffness or locking

Because the TMJ sits close to the ear, irritation or strain in this joint can cause pain that feels like it is coming from behind the ear.

Other symptoms and warning signs

Depending on the cause, pain behind the ear may also occur alongside symptoms such as fever, swelling, dizziness or hearing loss.

You should seek urgent medical advice if pain behind the ear occurs together with:

• High fever

• Swelling, warmth or redness behind the ear

• Pus or blood coming from the ear

• Sudden hearing loss

• Facial weakness or drooping

• Severe headache or neurological symptoms

These symptoms may indicate a more serious infection or condition and should be assessed by a healthcare professional.

Diagnosis for pain behind the ear

If you're experiencing pain behind the ear, a healthcare professional may carry out a few checks to help find the cause. This helps determine whether the pain is linked to the ear itself or nearby areas such as the jaw, teeth, nerves or neck muscles.

How to treat pain behind ears

Treatment for pain behind the ears depends on the cause. In many cases, mild discomfort can be managed with simple self-care. However, medical treatment may be needed if the pain is caused by an infection or another health condition.

Knowing when to try home remedies and when to seek medical advice can help you manage symptoms more effectively.

Self-care for mild pain

If the pain is mild or occasional, the following steps may help relieve discomfort.

Over-the-counter pain relief

Pain relief medicines such as ibuprofen or paracetamol may help ease mild to moderate pain and reduce inflammation. Always follow the instructions on the packaging.

Warm compress

Applying a warm compress to the area behind the ear for around 10-15 minutes may help relax tight muscles and reduce soreness.

Jaw and neck relaxation

If the pain is linked to jaw tension or TMJ strain, gentle jaw stretches and relaxing the neck and shoulder muscles may help. Try to avoid clenching your teeth and keep your jaw relaxed during the day.

Improving posture

Poor posture, especially when using phones or computers for long periods, can strain the neck muscles that run behind the ear. Sitting upright and taking regular breaks from screens may help reduce this tension.

Reducing pressure on the area

Some people notice discomfort behind the ear after wearing headphones, glasses or masks that press on the area. Adjusting how these items sit or taking breaks from wearing them may help reduce irritation.

Professional treatment

If symptoms continue or are caused by a medical condition, a healthcare professional may recommend treatment.

Ear infections

Bacterial ear infections may require antibiotics. Pain relief and rest may also help while the infection clears.

Impacted earwax

If earwax build-up is causing discomfort or hearing problems, professional earwax removal may be recommended.

TMJ disorders

Jaw-related pain may be treated with physiotherapy, jaw exercises, anti-inflammatory medication or dental treatments that help reduce pressure on the jaw joint.

Other medical conditions

Conditions such as mastoiditis or certain nerve disorders require prompt medical assessment and treatment. This may include antibiotics or specialist care.

When to get urgent medical attention

Pain behind the ear is often mild and temporary. However, in some cases it may be a sign of a more serious condition that needs medical attention.

Seek urgent medical advice if pain behind the ear occurs together with:

• High fever

• Fluid, pus or blood coming from the ear

• Swelling, warmth or redness behind the ear

• Sudden or severe ear pain

• Facial weakness or drooping

• Sudden hearing loss

• Severe headache, dizziness or neurological symptoms

Children may also show signs of ear pain by pulling or tugging at their ear, becoming unusually irritable, or developing a high fever.

Pain behind the ear can have several possible causes, including muscle tension, jaw problems or ear infections. In many cases, the discomfort improves with simple self-care or appropriate treatment.

If you notice pain behind the ear, try to identify any possible triggers. Mild discomfort may improve with rest, posture changes or over-the-counter pain relief.

However, if the pain continues, becomes severe, or occurs alongside symptoms such as swelling, fever or hearing changes, it's important to seek advice from a healthcare professional.