How do I stop my ears from hurting when I sleep?

If ear pain is keeping you up at night, try swallowing and yawning to help open the eustachian tubes. You can also sleep in an elevated position to relieve pressure on the eardrums if the pain is felt most when you're lying down.

How do you make your ear stop hurting while sleeping?

Sleep position

Rest with your head on two or more pillows, so your affected ear is higher than the rest of your body. Or if your left ear has an infection, sleep on your right side. Less pressure equals less ear pain.

Why does my ear hurt when Im sleeping?

Painful ears:

It's most likely down to sleeping on the same side for too long, on a pillow that's too firm. The ear cartilage gets a constant pressure or gets folded against the pillow and this irritates the pain receptors.

Should I sleep on my ear if it hurts?

If you are experiencing an ear pain, you should not sleep on the side where you have the pain. Instead, try to sleep with the affected ear raised or elevated – these two positions should reduce the pain and not aggravate your ear infection any further.

How long does ear pain last?

Outer Ear Infections (Acute Otitis Externa)

Outer ear infection symptoms include pain, reduced hearing, fever, discharge, feeling like the ear is clogged, redness, and swelling. DURATION: If treated properly, outer ear infections generally clear up after 7 to 10 days.

How should I sleep with ear pain?



Can sleeping on one side cause ear problems?

Allow pressure release by elevating your head

Also, ensure you don't sleep on one side of your ear as it may intensify the pain in your ear.

Why do I wake up with sore ears?

A cold, allergies, or a sinus infection can block the tubes in your middle ear. When fluid builds up and gets infected, your doctor will call it otitis media. This is the most common cause of ear pain. If your doctor thinks the cause is a bacteria, she may prescribe antibiotics.

Why do I sometimes wake up with ear pain?

Earache can be due to ear problems like infection or earwax blockage. Osteoarthritis also occasionally can cause ear or jaw pain or discomfort along with morning joint stiffness. If you are experiencing these or other concerning symptoms, contact your doctor to determine the cause.

How do you relieve ear pressure?

To relieve ear pain or discomfort, you can take steps to open the eustachian tube and relieve the pressure, such as:
  1. Chew gum.
  2. Inhale, and then gently exhale while holding the nostrils closed and the mouth shut.
  3. Suck on candy.
  4. Yawn.


Is it better to lay on infected ear?

But it's best not to sleep on your infected ear – and not just because it's uncomfortable. If you're an adult with a middle ear infection, elevating the affected ear makes it easier for the infection to drain out. So, sleep on your other side or tuck a few extra pillows under your head if sleeping on your back.

Does popping your ears help earache?

Popping your ears is when you open the Eustachian tube to equalize pressure between your inner and middle ear. And don't worry, it's perfectly safe. In fact, popping your ears can help relieve any pain associated with clogged ears and unequal ear pressure.

What does it mean if your ears won't pop?

Summary. The sensation of having clogged ears happens when your body can't equalize the pressure in your ears because your eustachian (auditory) tubes are blocked. You can try to pop your ears by yawning, swallowing, or chewing. Taking decongestants may also help.

How do I unplug my ear?

If your ears are plugged, try swallowing, yawning or chewing sugar-free gum to open your eustachian tubes. If this doesn't work, take a deep breath and try to blow out of your nose gently while pinching your nostrils closed and keeping your mouth shut. If you hear a popping noise, you know you have succeeded.

Can earwax cause ear pain?

Earwax, also called cerumen, is made by the body to protect the ears. The ear wax has both lubricating and antibacterial properties. Untreated buildup can lead to hearing loss, irritation, pain in the ear, dizziness, ringing in the ears and other problems.

Can popping your ears damage them?

The pressure you're blowing against forces your Eustachian tubes open a little which drains pressure and fluid stuck in your ear. It's a common misconception that this method is dangerous. As long as you don't force too much pressure or sneeze like this, you won't have risks of bursting your eardrum.

How do you massage ear wax out?

To do this, just gently massage the outside of the ear using circular movements. That way, the impaction will soften, which can help the earwax drain more easily. Once you've finished making these circular movements, pull your ear slightly backwards, from the lobe to the top of the auricle.

Will my ear unclog itself?

Your ear may unblock on its own within hours or days. But several home remedies and medications can provide fast relief. As you treat a clogged ear, it's also helpful to identify possible causes of the blockage. By doing so, you and your doctor can determine the best way to treat the clog and prevent future problems.

Why does my ear feel blocked but no wax?

This can be caused by a buildup of fluids, loud sounds, foreign objects in the ear, severe head trauma, severe changes in air pressure, and ear infections (see next section). A ruptured eardrum can make your ears even more vulnerable to infections which may further block eustachian tubes.

How do I know if I ruptured my eardrum?

Signs and symptoms of a ruptured eardrum may include:
  1. Ear pain that may subside quickly.
  2. Mucuslike, pus-filled or bloody drainage from the ear.
  3. Hearing loss.
  4. Ringing in the ear (tinnitus)
  5. Spinning sensation (vertigo)
  6. Nausea or vomiting that can result from vertigo.


How do I know if there is wax in my ear?

Signs and symptoms of earwax blockage may include:
  1. Earache.
  2. Feeling of fullness in the ear.
  3. Ringing or noises in the ear (tinnitus)
  4. Hearing loss.
  5. Dizziness.
  6. Cough.
  7. Itchiness in the ear.
  8. Odor or discharge in the ear.


What's the difference between an ear infection and earache?

What's the difference between an earache and an ear infection? An earache is a pain in the ears, affecting one or both ears, and isn't always due to bacterial infections. Ear infections, on the other hand, are caused by a bacterial or viral infection. Bacterial infections usually require treatment such as antibiotics.

Why does my ear feel full?

Common causes include fluid in the middle ear, hay fever, allergies or over-excessive nose blowing. Ear pain can be associated with ear congestion in cases of infections or with airplane travel, with sudden changes in barometric pressure, which most often occurs during descent.

Can't sleep because of ear infection?

Ear infections can be awful at night, and it's vital you have the right amount of sleep to recharge for the day ahead. If an ear infection is preventing you from sleeping, please contact your GP or an audiologist to examine the problem and start treatment as soon as possible.

Why are ear infections so painful?

Ear Infections

An ear infection happens when fluid in the interior space behind the eardrum becomes infected, usually with bacteria. The tube leading into the body becomes blocked, and fluid builds up behind the eardrum. The increased pressure pushes the eardrum outward, causing pain and fever.

What can I buy for ear pain?

The CDC recommends OTC pain relievers — such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) — to control pain and inflammation caused by ear infections. For moderate pain, your healthcare provider may recommend that you alternate between acetaminophen and ibuprofen throughout the day.