- Swelling, redness, or tenderness on the bone behind the ear (possible mastoiditis)
- Facial weakness or drooping on one side
- Severe dizziness, spinning sensation (vertigo), or severe vomiting
- High fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, or confusion
- Significant bleeding or sudden complete loss of hearing following trauma
Online Ear Pain & Infection Consultations with Australian GPs
Get fast medical triage and management for ear ache, swimmer's ear, and ear pressure from home. Consult an AHPRA-registered GP online for symptom evaluation, e-Prescriptions for ear drops, medical certificates, and ENT referrals.
🎧 When Telehealth Can Help with Ear Pain
A telehealth GP consultation provides an efficient first step for evaluating ear symptoms:
- Managed Online: Outer ear infections (swimmer's ear), eustachian tube dysfunction following a cold, barotrauma after flying, and referred jaw/throat pain.
- In-Person Direct Review Recommended: Infants under 2 years with suspected otitis media, suspected impacted wax requiring syringing, foreign objects in the ear canal, or suspected eardrum perforation requiring direct otoscopy.
Common Ear Conditions Assessed Online
Review how telehealth GPs manage non-emergency ear presentations.
| Condition | Common Symptoms | Telehealth GP Management |
|---|---|---|
| Otitis Externa (Swimmer's Ear) | Ear canal pain, itching, pain when pulling earlobe, discharge, mild fullness. | Evaluation for prescription antibiotic/corticosteroid ear drops via eScript. |
| Eustachian Tube Dysfunction | Fullness or popping feeling in ears, mild hearing muffling following a cold or flight. | Nasal decongestant guidance, equalization techniques, steroid nasal spray review. |
| Referred Otalgia (Pain) | Earache with normal outer ear, associated with jaw (TMJ) grinding, dental pain, or sore throat. | Symptomatic pain management, dental referral advice, or sore throat evaluation. |
| Recurrent or Complex Pain | Repeated ear infections, chronic discharge, or unresolved structural pain. | Official referral letter to an Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) specialist or pathology swab request. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get prescription ear drops sent via eScript?
Yes. If your GP determines during the consultation that you have an uncomplicated outer ear infection (otitis externa), they can issue an e-Prescription for combination antibiotic-steroid ear drops sent directly to your phone via SMS.
Can I get a medical certificate if ear pain affects my work or study?
Yes. If severe ear discomfort or dizziness prevents you from attending work, university, or school, your GP can issue an official medical certificate following your appointment.
What should I avoid doing before my consult?
Do not insert cotton buds, keys, or foreign objects into your ear canal, as this can worsen inflammation or damage the eardrum. Avoid getting water in the affected ear during showering or bathing.
What Causes Ear Pain?
Ear pain can occur for many different reasons.
Common causes include:
- Middle ear infection
- Outer ear infection, also called swimmer's ear
- Earwax build-up
- A cold or respiratory infection
- Sinus congestion
- Sore throat or tonsillitis
- Dental problems
- Jaw or temporomandibular joint problems
- Pressure changes during flying or diving
- Irritation or injury to the ear canal
- Foreign objects in the ear
The cause can be different in children and adults, so your GP will consider your age, symptoms and medical history.
What Does an Ear Infection Feel Like?
An ear infection can cause:
- Ear pain
- A feeling of pressure or fullness
- Reduced hearing
- Fever
- Irritability, particularly in young children
- Fluid or discharge from the ear
- Difficulty sleeping
- Headache
- Dizziness in some cases
The symptoms depend on which part of the ear is affected.
Middle Ear Infection
A middle ear infection occurs behind the eardrum and commonly develops following a cold or respiratory infection.
Symptoms may include:
- Earache
- Pressure or fullness
- Reduced hearing
- Fever
- Irritability in children
- Difficulty sleeping
Young children may not be able to explain that their ear hurts. Instead, they may become unusually unsettled, cry more than usual, have difficulty sleeping or repeatedly touch or pull their ear.
An in-person examination may be required to look at the eardrum and determine whether a middle ear infection is present.
Outer Ear Infection
An outer ear infection affects the ear canal and is sometimes called swimmer's ear.
It can occur after water remains in the ear canal or following irritation or damage to the skin inside the ear.
Symptoms can include:
- Ear pain
- Itching
- Redness or swelling of the ear canal
- Discharge
- Pain when touching or moving the outer ear
- Reduced hearing if the canal becomes swollen
Treatment depends on the cause and severity of the infection.
Earwax Build-Up
Excessive earwax can cause:
- Earache or discomfort
- A blocked sensation
- Reduced hearing
- Ringing in the ear
- A feeling of fullness
Do not insert cotton buds, fingers or other objects into the ear in an attempt to remove wax.
If earwax is causing significant symptoms, your GP or pharmacist can advise about appropriate treatment and whether the ear needs to be examined or professionally cleaned.
Ear Pain After a Cold
Ear pain or pressure can develop during or after a cold.
Congestion in the nose and throat can affect the Eustachian tube, which helps regulate pressure in the middle ear.
This can result in:
- Ear pressure
- A blocked sensation
- Muffled hearing
- Mild ear discomfort
These symptoms may improve as the respiratory infection and congestion settle.
However, worsening pain, fever, discharge or significant hearing changes should be assessed by a GP.
Can a Telehealth GP Diagnose an Ear Infection?
A telehealth consultation can be useful for discussing ear pain and determining the appropriate next step.
Your NewTeleDoc Medical GP may ask:
- When the pain started
- Whether the pain is in one or both ears
- How severe the pain is
- Whether you have a fever
- Whether you have hearing loss
- Whether there is discharge from the ear
- Whether you recently had a cold or flu
- Whether you have been swimming recently
- Whether touching the outer ear causes pain
- Whether you have dizziness or balance problems
- Whether you have experienced ear infections previously
- Whether you have used any ear drops or medicines
However, an ear infection cannot always be diagnosed accurately without examining the ear.
If your GP believes an otoscope examination is needed, they may recommend an in-person appointment.
Can a Telehealth GP Prescribe Treatment for Ear Pain?
Depending on the cause and clinical assessment, your GP may recommend treatment or prescribe medication when appropriate.
Treatment can vary considerably.
For example, some ear infections may require prescription ear drops, while other infections may require oral medication. Some ear pain does not require antibiotics at all.
Antibiotics are not appropriate for every case of ear pain.
Your GP will consider the likely cause, severity of symptoms, age, medical history and other factors before recommending treatment.
Ear Pain in Children
Ear pain is particularly common in children.
Children with an ear infection may have:
- Earache
- Fever
- Irritability
- Crying
- Poor sleep
- Reduced appetite
- Difficulty hearing
- Pulling or rubbing their ear
If your child has ear pain, your GP can assess the symptoms and determine whether an in-person examination is required.
Young children can deteriorate more quickly, so parents should seek medical advice if symptoms are severe, persistent or worsening.
When Should I See a GP About Ear Pain?
You should consider speaking with a GP if:
- Ear pain lasts more than a short period
- Pain is getting worse
- You have a fever
- You notice fluid or pus coming from the ear
- Your hearing has changed
- You have repeated ear infections
- The ear feels blocked for a prolonged period
- You have significant ear pressure
- Symptoms develop after swimming
- You have recently had a respiratory infection
- You are experiencing significant pain in a child
Your GP can determine whether you need treatment, an ear examination or further assessment.
When Is Ear Pain an Emergency?
Most ear pain is not an emergency, but certain symptoms require urgent medical assessment.
Seek urgent medical attention rather than waiting for a telehealth appointment if you have:
- Severe or rapidly worsening pain
- Significant swelling or redness behind the ear
- The ear appears to be pushed forward
- Sudden significant hearing loss
- Severe dizziness or loss of balance
- Facial weakness
- A serious head injury associated with ear symptoms
- Significant bleeding from the ear
- Severe headache with fever and neck stiffness
- Severe illness or confusion
If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 000 or attend your nearest emergency department.
Ear Discharge: What Does It Mean?
Fluid or discharge from the ear can have several causes.
It may occur with:
- An outer ear infection
- A middle ear infection
- A perforated eardrum
- Injury to the ear canal
The appearance of the discharge can provide useful information, but an ear examination may still be necessary to determine the cause.
Do not place medication, cotton buds or other objects into an ear that is draining unless advised by a healthcare professional.
What About a Perforated Eardrum?
A perforated eardrum is a hole or tear in the eardrum.
It can occur because of:
- An ear infection
- Injury
- Sudden pressure changes
- Inserting an object into the ear
- A loud noise or explosion
Symptoms can include ear pain, reduced hearing, ringing in the ear or discharge.
If you suspect you have a perforated eardrum, arrange medical assessment. Your GP can advise whether you need an urgent in-person examination.
Avoid putting anything into the ear unless specifically advised by a healthcare professional.
What Can I Do for Ear Pain at Home?
While waiting for medical advice, some people may obtain relief from appropriate pain medication such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, provided these medicines are safe for them.
Other helpful measures may include:
- Resting
- Staying hydrated
- Avoiding inserting anything into the ear
- Keeping an infected or draining ear dry
- Avoiding swimming until advised that it is safe
- Following the instructions of your doctor or pharmacist
Children should receive medicines according to their age and weight and the product instructions or medical advice.
How to Prepare for a NewTeleDoc Medical Telehealth Consultation
Before your appointment, it can help to have the following information available:
- When the ear pain started.
- Whether one or both ears are affected.
- How severe the pain is.
- Whether you have a fever.
- Whether your hearing has changed.
- Whether there is any discharge or bleeding.
- Whether you recently had a cold or respiratory infection.
- Whether you have recently been swimming.
- What medications you have taken.
- Whether you have any medication allergies.
- Whether you have experienced ear infections previously.
For children, it is also useful to know whether they have been sleeping, eating and drinking normally.
How NewTeleDoc Medical Can Help With Ear Pain
A NewTeleDoc Medical telehealth GP consultation can be a convenient first step when you or your child develops ear pain.
Your GP can:
- Discuss your ear symptoms
- Assess possible causes
- Review your medical history
- Discuss appropriate pain relief
- Determine whether prescription treatment may be appropriate
- Advise whether antibiotics may be needed
- Assess whether you need an in-person ear examination
- Recommend further investigation when necessary
- Arrange appropriate follow-up
- Provide a medical certificate when clinically appropriate
If an examination of the ear is required, your GP can advise you to attend an appropriate medical service.
Book a Telehealth GP Appointment for Ear Pain
If you or your child has ear pain, you do not always need to start by travelling to a medical centre.
NewTeleDoc Medical provides convenient telehealth GP consultations from the comfort of your home.
A GP can discuss your symptoms, assess the urgency of your condition and advise whether treatment can be managed through telehealth or whether you need an in-person examination.
Book your NewTeleDoc Medical telehealth appointment today and speak with a GP from home.
Important Medical Information
This article provides general health information and does not replace individual medical advice.
Not every case of ear pain requires antibiotics, and treatment depends on the underlying cause and clinical assessment.
If you develop severe pain, sudden significant hearing loss, facial weakness, severe dizziness, swelling behind the ear, significant bleeding or other serious symptoms, seek urgent medical attention rather than relying on telehealth.