earache
Throbbing auditory discomfort
An earache is pain in the ear, typically caused by infection, pressure changes, or inflammation.
The word describes the symptom rather than a specific condition: I woke up with a terrible earache.
Like headache and stomachache, it names discomfort by location.
Rhythmic painful pulsing
- sharpFine-edged, or astute
- stabbingWounding with a blade
- pulsatingBeating in rhythmic surges
- dullLacking edge or interest
shooting · piercing · intense · severe · acute · chronic · nagging · gnawing
Inner auditory membrane
- eustachianOf ear-throat passage
- cochleaSpiral hearing organ
- tympanicOf or like drums
- ossiclesMinute skeletal structures
malleus · incus · stapes · auricle · pinna · earlobe · vestibule · labyrinth
Made quieter, less distinct
- ringingSustained resonant sound
- tinnitusPerceived phantom ear sounds
- itchingIrritating skin sensation
- drainageLiquid removal system
discharge · vertigo · dizziness · nausea · fussiness · tugging · irritability · sleeplessness
Inflamed nasal cavities
- tonsillitisInflamed throat tissue
- allergiesAdverse immune responses
- teethingFirst molars emerging
- toothacheAche in a molar
TMJ · altitude · flying · diving · trauma · referred · congestion · barotrauma
Nucleus-free single-celled organisms
- virusMicroscopic infectious agent
- inflammationProtective tissue response
- swellingAbnormal tissue enlargement
- feverElevated body temperature
pus · antibiotics · eardrops · discharge · redness · warmth · mastoiditis · fungal
Bacteria-destroying medicines
- eardropsPendant lobe jewelry
- painkillerMedication reducing discomfort
- ibuprofenAnti-inflammatory pain reliever
- acetaminophenCommon over-the-counter analgesic
tubes · ENT · otolaryngology · otologist · audiology · decongestant · antihistamine · prescription
throbbing
Rhythmic painful pulsing
dull · shooting · piercing · intense · severe · acute · chronic · nagging · gnawing · radiating
eardrum
Inner auditory membrane
- eustachianOf ear-throat passage
- cochleaSpiral hearing organ
- tympanicOf or like drums
ossicles · malleus · incus · stapes · auricle · pinna · earlobe · vestibule · labyrinth · auditory
muffled
Made quieter, less distinct
drainage · discharge · vertigo · dizziness · nausea · fussiness · tugging · irritability · sleeplessness · balance
sinusitis
Inflamed nasal cavities
- tonsillitisInflamed throat tissue
- allergiesAdverse immune responses
- teethingFirst molars emerging
toothache · TMJ · altitude · flying · diving · trauma · referred · congestion · barotrauma
bacteria
Nucleus-free single-celled organisms
- virusMicroscopic infectious agent
- inflammationProtective tissue response
- swellingAbnormal tissue enlargement
fever · pus · antibiotics · eardrops · discharge · redness · warmth · mastoiditis · fungal · contagious
antibiotics
Bacteria-destroying medicines
- eardropsPendant lobe jewelry
- painkillerMedication reducing discomfort
- ibuprofenAnti-inflammatory pain reliever
acetaminophen · tubes · ENT · otolaryngology · otologist · audiology · decongestant · antihistamine · prescription
- painpain, agony, hurt, hurting, suffering
- symptomsfever, pain, nausea, rash, cough
- earearlobe, eardrum, pinna, cochlea, helix
- seasonal ailmentsflu, cold, common cold, seasonal flu, influenza
- ear disorderstinnitus, hearing loss, perforated eardrum, labyrinthitis, otitis
- ear painotitis, mastoiditis, eardrum rupture, barotrauma
earachecomfort
Ease or soothing relief
relief · ease · painlessness · well-being · pleasure
earacheheadache
Cranial pain
toothache · stomachache · backache · heartache · sore throat