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Differential Diagnosis for Chronic Ear Pain

  • Single Most Likely Diagnosis
    • Otosclerosis: A condition where abnormal bone growth in the middle ear causes hearing loss and chronic ear pain. It is a common cause of chronic ear pain, especially in young adults.
  • Other Likely Diagnoses
    • Chronic otitis media: A persistent infection of the middle ear that can cause chronic ear pain, discharge, and hearing loss.
    • Eustachian tube dysfunction: A condition where the tube that connects the middle ear to the back of the throat is blocked, leading to chronic ear pain and fullness.
    • Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder: A condition that affects the joint that connects the jawbone to the skull, causing chronic ear pain, jaw pain, and clicking or popping sounds.
    • Cerumen impaction: A condition where earwax builds up in the ear canal, causing chronic ear pain, itching, and hearing loss.
  • Do Not Miss Diagnoses
    • Malignant otitis externa: A rare but serious infection of the outer ear that can spread to the skull and brain, causing severe chronic ear pain, discharge, and neurological symptoms.
    • Nasopharyngeal carcinoma: A type of cancer that can cause chronic ear pain, hearing loss, and nasal symptoms.
    • Petrous apicitis: A rare but serious infection of the petrous part of the temporal bone, causing chronic ear pain, headache, and neurological symptoms.
  • Rare Diagnoses
    • Relapsing polychondritis: A rare autoimmune disorder that can cause chronic ear pain, hearing loss, and cartilage damage.
    • Wegener's granulomatosis: A rare autoimmune disorder that can cause chronic ear pain, hearing loss, and respiratory symptoms.
    • Cholesteatoma: A rare skin cyst in the middle ear that can cause chronic ear pain, discharge, and hearing loss.

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