Can otitis externa affect both ears at the same time?

Yes, it can, although it usually begins in one ear. If both ears are exposed to the same triggers such as frequent swimming or eczema, infections can occur on both sides.

Why does the pain get worse when I chew or touch my ear?

The skin of the ear canal and the cartilage of the outer ear are directly connected. When you chew or move the ear, it stretches the inflamed tissues, which makes the pain more noticeable.

Is it safe to use ear drops from a previous infection?

Old ear drops may not be effective and could even make things worse if the infection this time is different. Always check with your doctor before using any leftover medication.

Can swimmer’s ear cause long term hearing problems?

Most cases heal completely once treated, and hearing returns to normal. Long term problems are rare, but repeated infections or untreated severe cases can occasionally cause lasting changes to the ear canal or eardrum.

Why do some people keep getting swimmer’s ear while others never do?

Individual anatomy, skin type, and habits all play a role. People with narrow canals, eczema, or a history of cotton bud use are more likely to have recurrent infections.

Does flying make otitis externa worse?

The pressure changes during a flight mainly affect the middle ear, not the outer ear. However, if your canal is swollen and painful, the confined environment of flying may make the discomfort more noticeable.

Can otitis externa happen in winter when I am not swimming?

Yes, it can. Even without swimming, moisture from showers, sweating after exercise, or irritation from earbuds and hearing aids can trigger an infection at any time of year.

Acute Otitis Externa: Rapid Evidence Review - American Academy of Family Physicianshttps://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2023/0200/acute-otitis-externa.html Necrotizing (Malignant) Otitis Externa - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelfhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK556138/ Expanding the diagnostic spectrum of malignant otitis externa - Frontiers in Medicinehttps://www.frontiersin.org/journals/medicine/articles/10.3389/fmed.2025.1577525/full Otitis externa - Symptoms, diagnosis and treatment - BMJ Best Practicehttps://bestpractice.bmj.com/topics/en-gb/40 Otitis Externa - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelfhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK556055/ Otitis Externa: Practice Essentials, Background, Anatomy - Medscapehttps://emedicine.medscape.com/article/994550-overview Epidemiology, risk factors and monitoring of acute otitis externa - International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Healthhttps://www.ijcmph.com/index.php/ijcmph/article/view/9120

Melbourne ENT Archives

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What is Otitis Externa? (Swimmer’s Ear)

20/01/2026 Dr Stephen Kleid

Otitis externa, more commonly referred to as swimmer’s ear, is one of the most frequent ear conditions treated by ear, nose, and throat specialists. It is an infection or inflammation of the ear canal, the narrow passage between the outside of the ear and the eardrum. While the condition is usually not life-threatening, it can
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Ear health is often something people do not think about until there is a problem. When ears are working well, they go unnoticed, but when blocked with wax or infection, the impact on hearing, comfort and even balance can be significant. At Melbourne ENT in St Kilda East, Victoria, our specialists – Dr Stephen Kleid,
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27/12/2025 Dr Simon Braham

Children are naturally curious explorers. From the moment they begin crawling, they interact with the world around them by picking things up, tasting them, and experimenting with different textures. While this stage is a vital part of development, it also presents risks. One of the greatest concerns for parents and carers is the possibility of
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