Children get more ear infections than any other disease except the common cold. It’s highly likely that kids will suffer one or more earaches by age three. Boys are more prone to ear infections than girls, and children with a family history of earaches are more likely to get them. The season is also a factor – active children may get more upper respiratory tract infections or colds, which can lead to earaches.

The main cause of an earache is a small tube that links the throat with the inner ear. The ear has three parts: the outer ear, middle ear and inner ear. To hear, the middle ear must maintain a pressure that’s equal to the outside world, which is done by the Eustachian tube, a small highway that allows air to travel from the back of the throat to the inner ear.

The Eustachian tube equalizes air pressure in the middle ear and drains mucus from the inner ear into the throat. Children have a smaller tube than adults, so when congestion in the throat or adenoids causes them to swell, the Eustachian tube may get blocked. This will create a fluid buildup, which often results in bacteria or viruses building up in the location. Eventually, they develop into an ear infection, which can cause the earache.

Beyond pain, there are several symptoms that indicate ear problems. They include tugging at the ear, extreme irritability, excessive crying, fluid draining from the ear, temporary loss of hearing (usually indicated by turning up the volume on the television, radio or computer), talking louder than normal and not hearing instructions delivered in softer tones as well as before.

When infections get worse, the child may develop dizziness, nausea, a fever and start vomiting. Additionally, the child may experience pressure in the head or a headache, difficulty walking, appetite loss, and difficulty sleeping.

That’s one of the ways that an earache can develop. Here are some others: