Your ear canals are the tube-like passageways that connect your outer ears to your ear drums. In some circumstances, you can develop a type of ear canal infection called external otitis or otitis externa.

Blocked ears can be painful and can temporarily impair hearing. The most common causes include colds, air travel, sinus infections and impacted earwax. There are exercises you can try to unblock your ears. If your ears remain blocked for more than 24 hours, you should seek medical advice.

Discovering a new lump or bump on your skin can be frightening. When located behind the ear, those bumps could be anything from an infection, such as mastoiditis, to an allergic reaction, such as dermatitis. Only your doctor can diagnose you properly and prescribe the appropriate treatment.

Itchiness behind the ears can be because of a number of causes ranging from allergies to infections. To properly treat itchiness, also called pruritis, you should consult a doctor for a definitive diagnosis.

Blocked or clogged ears occur when the eustachian tubes inside your ears fill with fluid. Sinus infections, cold and flu viruses and allergies can inflame the linings in your ears, leading to blocked passages. Though not a cure, acupuncture can help relieve ear pressure and congestion.

Gluten sensitivities typically affect your digestive system, skin or sinuses, but in certain circumstances, a gluten allergy can cause ear congestion and a temporary reduction in hearing.

Ear piercing is one of the earliest types of body modification. It was replaced by the popularity of clip-on earrings in the 1900s, but pierced ears came back in style in the 1950s. Many people pierced their own ears at home until jewelry stores and doctors began offering the service.

Ear pressure and pain are common symptom of sinus congestion and drainage due to allergies or sinusitis. In order to relieve pressure in the ears, it is important to treat the underlying sinus condition with rest, hydration, decongestants and over-the-counter pain relievers.

Whether you have a cold or you’ve just stepped off a cross-country flight, you feel one symptom--your ears are plugged. While this is not a serious condition, it is uncomfortable and it makes it inconvenient when you need to hear what others are saying to you.

A keloid is a scar made of cartilage and forms as a result of an infection. A keloid scar is especially common on the ear due to infections from ear-piercing. Keloid symptoms include pain and itchiness on the scar, as well as a noticeable change in skin texture around the keloid.

Ear pain can come from a long list of conditions, but if your ears only hurt when you eat, the list of causes narrows considerably. If you go about your day or sleep at night without feeling pain in your ears, two scenarios are likely to be the cause.

Hotness of the ears might cause discomfort and interfere with typical daily activities such as listening to music, talking on the phone or even participating in face-to-face conversations. Hotness that persists, worsens or is accompanied by other symptoms such as ear or facial pain might require medical evaluation.