Definition and Classification
Otalgia is the medical term universally used to describe the sensation of pain in the ear. 2, 3, 4
Otalgia is further classified into two distinct categories based on the anatomic source of pain:
- Primary otalgia: Pain originating directly from pathology within the ear itself (external, middle, or inner ear structures), typically associated with abnormal otoscopic findings. 2, 5
- Secondary (referred) otalgia: Pain felt in the ear but originating from a non-otologic source outside the ear, typically with a normal ear examination. 2, 3, 4
Clinical Context
Primary otalgia is more common in children and most frequently caused by acute otitis media (AOM) or acute otitis externa (AOE). 6, 2
Secondary otalgia is more common in adults, with temporomandibular joint syndrome and dental infections being the most frequent causes. 1, 2, 5
The term "otalgia" is preferred in medical documentation over lay terms such as "ear pain" or "earache" for precision and standardization. 2, 7
Related Terminology
Otodynia is an alternative but less commonly used medical term for ear pain. 3
Specific conditions causing otalgia have their own terms: