Did you know that there are a few ways to relieve an ear infection at home? Learn more here.
Ear infections can strike suddenly, bringing discomfort and pain that interrupt your daily routine. While it’s important to seek medical attention if symptoms worsen or persist beyond a few days, there are several effective home treatments for ear infection in adults that can alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, and promote drainage. In this blog, we’ll explore simple, evidence-informed remedies you can try right at home to feel better faster.
Address Cold and Allergy Symptoms First
Since many adult ear infections develop alongside colds, allergies, or sinus issues, managing these root causes can help improve ear pain. Try these steps:
- Drink Warm Tea with Honey: Soothe a sore throat and loosen mucus.
- Use a Humidifier: Adding moisture to the air eases nasal congestion and keeps the Eustachian tubes from drying out.
- Irrigate Sinuses with a Neti Pot: Gentle saline rinses clear out allergens and mucus.
- Take a Decongestant: Oral or nasal decongestants (e.g., pseudoephedrine, oxymetazoline) help reduce eustachian tube swelling—but follow package instructions to avoid rebound congestion.
- Stay Hydrated: Drinking 8–10 glasses of water per day thins mucus, supporting drainage.
- Get Extra Rest: Sleep boosts immunity and gives your body more resources to fight infection.
Hot and Cold Compress Technique
Applying temperature therapy is a classic home treatment for ear infection in adults because it tackles pain and inflammation in two ways:
- Warm Compress
- Relaxes the muscles around the ear.
- Encourages fluid movement in the eustachian tubes.
- Use a warm (not scalding) washcloth or a microwaved heat pack.
- Cold Compress
- Numbs sharp pain.
- Reduces local swelling.
- Wrap ice or a frozen gel pack in a towel to protect your skin.
Pro tip: Alternate between warm and cold compresses every 30 minutes for 2–3 cycles to maximize relief.
Over-the-Counter Pain Relief
When discomfort peaks, OTC medications can be a game-changer:
- Ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®): Combines pain relief with anti-inflammatory effects.
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol®): Reduces fever and eases pain—ideal if you cannot take NSAIDs.
Alternating doses of ibuprofen and acetaminophen (following dosage guidelines and spacing) often provides more consistent relief. Always read labels to avoid doubling up on pain relievers if your decongestant also contains acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
Optimize Your Sleep Position
Quality sleep accelerates healing, but ear pain can make rest challenging. Try these adjustments:
- Lie on the Unaffected Side: If only one ear hurts, sleeping on the opposite side helps fluid drain away.
- Elevate Your Head: Stack two or more pillows so your head sits higher than your chest—gravity assists drainage.
- Back Sleeping: If both ears ache, sleeping on your back may be the most comfortable option.
Gentle Neck and Jaw Exercises
Tension in nearby muscles can exacerbate ear pain by pressing on the ear canal. Gentle movements can relieve this pressure:
- Neck Circles: Slowly rotate your head in both directions.
- Side Tilts: Drop one ear toward the shoulder, hold for 10–15 seconds, then switch sides.
- Shoulder Shrugs: Lift shoulders up, hold briefly, then release.
- Jaw Opening: Open your mouth as wide as comfortable, hold for a few seconds, then relax.
Perform each exercise 5–10 times, moving only as far as you feel no sharp pain.
Hydrogen Peroxide Ear Rinse
A mild antiseptic, hydrogen peroxide can help dislodge earwax and reduce germs:
- Lie on your side with the affected ear facing up.
- Use a clean dropper to place 2–3 drops of 3% hydrogen peroxide in the ear.
- Stay still for 2–3 minutes, during which you may hear fizzing.
- Tilt your head over a sink, allowing the fluid to drain.
- Gently rinse the outer ear with warm water and dry with a soft towel.
Know When to See a Doctor
Home remedies can provide significant relief for mild to moderate ear infections. However, seek professional care if you experience:
- Severe or worsening pain
- Fever above 102°F (38.9°C)
- Ear drainage that’s green, yellow, or bloody
- Hearing loss or persistent ringing
- Symptoms lasting more than 3 days without improvement
Trust the Experts at Clarity Audiology & Hearing Solutions
Need help with your hearing? Clarity Hearing can help. Clarity Audiology & Hearing Solutions is an independently owned and operated clinic that focuses on quality of care and personalized, friendly service to the surrounding areas of Ellicott City, Catonsville, Columbia. Our Doctors of Audiology are highly trained with advanced degrees and take the time to provide the personalized care and attention that you need and deserve. We provide advanced hearing aid options that are personally calibrated with cutting-edge digital technology to fit your hearing loss, your unique ear anatomy, and your individual listening needs.
You can call us today to schedule a FREE Hearing Protection Consultation at 410-698-6594! For more blog posts, news, and updates, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and LinkedIn.