Healthdirect Free Australian health advice you can count on.

Medical problem? Call 1800 022 222. If you need urgent medical help, call triple zero immediately

healthdirect Australia is a free service where you can talk to a nurse or doctor who can help you know what to do.

beginning of content

Ear disorders

1-minute read

Ear conditions may be caused by problems in the ear, the neck, sinuses or head. Babies and children are more vulnerable to ear infection, especially middle ear infection.

Inflammation causing swelling and discharge in the ears can be a result of reactions to topical medicines, jewellery, cosmetics or ear plugs.

Follow the links below to find trusted information about ear disorders.

Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.

Last reviewed: May 2019


Back To Top

Related pages

Search our site for

Need more information?

These trusted information partners have more on this topic.

Top results

Eardrum perforation: symptoms, causes and treatment

Eardrum perforation can be caused by infection, a blow to the ear, injury from an object inserted in the ear, or exposure to a sudden loud noise.

Read more on myDr website

Labyrinthitis and vestibular neuritis - Better Health Channel

Labyrinthitis and vestibular neuritis are disorders that result in inflammation of the inner ear and the nerve connecting the inner ear to the brain.

Read more on Better Health Channel website

Ear health | Australian Government Department of Health

If left untreated, hearing loss and ear disease can affect a child's learning and development. Adults with with untreated hearing loss may also be at risk of developing other health problems. Find out what were doing to raise awareness of ear health and help prevent hearing loss in Australia.

Read more on Department of Health website

Ears - Hearing loss in One Ear: Babies & PreSchool Children | Sydney Children's Hospitals Network

Many babies who are born with hearing loss in one ear are now identified in the first few months of life by the newborn hearing screening program (SWISH)

Read more on Sydney Children's Hospitals Network website

Ears - Unilateral (single sided) hearing loss: The school child | Sydney Children's Hospitals Network

Children who have been diagnosed by an audiologist as having unilateral hearing loss (deafness in one ear) should be followed up by an Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) Specialist, or Paediatrician, to check if anything can be done to correct the hearing impairment

Read more on Sydney Children's Hospitals Network website

Microtia | Sydney Children's Hospitals Network

What is microtia? This is the medical name for an ear which has developed differently

Read more on Sydney Children's Hospitals Network website

Meniere's disease - myDr.com.au

Meniere's disease has 4 typical symptoms: vertigo; hearing loss; tinnitus; and a sensation of fullness in the ear. Find out about causes and treatments.

Read more on myDr website

Ears - Hearing loss in children with Down syndrome | Sydney Children's Hospitals Network

Hearing loss is common in children with Trisomy 21 (also known as Down syndrome)

Read more on Sydney Children's Hospitals Network website

Hearing tests - Better Health Channel

A ringing sensation in the ears (tinnitus), or people complaining that you talk too loudly are signs you may need to have your hearing checked.

Read more on Better Health Channel website

Baby cold symptoms

A baby with a cold has symptoms like a blocked nose and cough. Baby colds usually heal without treatment but are sometimes a sign of more serious illness like pneumonia or ear infection.

Read more on Parenthub website

Healthdirect 24hr 7 days a week hotline

24 hour health advice you can count on

1800 022 222

Government Accredited with over 140 information partners

We are a government-funded service, providing quality, approved health information and advice

Australian Government, health department logo ACT Government logo New South Wales government, health department logo Northen Territory Government logo Government of South Australia, health department logo Tasmanian government logo Government of Western Australia, health department logo