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Ear Pain & Ear Infection Treatment Online

See a bulk billed telehealth GP for ear pain or suspected ear infection. Get antibiotic eScripts where indicated, ENT referrals, and same-day medical certificates from home.

Can a telehealth GP treat ear pain online?

Yes for many cases. An AHPRA-registered GP at NewDoc can take a focused history, review your symptoms, and identify likely causes — swimmer's ear (otitis externa), middle ear infection (otitis media), eustachian tube dysfunction, barotrauma, wax impaction, or referred pain from the jaw, teeth, or throat. Where antibiotic or steroid ear drops are appropriate, an eScript is sent to your phone within minutes. The consultation, eScript, and any medical certificate are bulk billed for eligible Medicare cardholders.

For young children with suspected middle ear infection, in-person review may be recommended because direct visualisation of the eardrum often changes management. Seek emergency care for severe pain with high fever, swelling spreading behind the ear, sudden hearing loss, facial weakness, severe headache, or neck stiffness.

What causes ear pain?

Ear pain (otalgia) has many possible causes. Some come from the ear itself — infection of the outer ear canal (otitis externa, often called swimmer's ear), infection of the middle ear (otitis media), eustachian tube dysfunction, wax impaction, or barotrauma after flying or diving. Others are referred pain from nearby structures — the jaw joint, the teeth, the tonsils, or the upper neck.

A telehealth GP can take a careful history, identify the most likely cause, and decide whether telehealth treatment is appropriate or whether in-person review is needed. Most adult cases — including otitis externa, eustachian tube dysfunction, and barotrauma — can be managed entirely by telehealth. Young children with suspected middle ear infection often need in-person otoscopy to confirm the diagnosis.

Common causes of ear pain

  • Otitis externa (swimmer's ear) — inflammation of the ear canal, often after water exposure, cotton bud trauma, or earphone use. Painful, itchy, sometimes with discharge. Usually treated with antibiotic-steroid ear drops.
  • Otitis media (middle ear infection) — more common in children, often after a cold. Causes ear pain, fever, sometimes hearing loss or discharge. Most cases in adults and older children resolve within 48 to 72 hours without antibiotics.
  • Eustachian tube dysfunction — pressure or fullness in the ear, often after a cold or sinus infection. Settles with time, decongestants, and equalisation techniques.
  • Barotrauma — pain from rapid pressure change (flying with a cold, scuba diving). Usually resolves within hours to days.
  • Wax impaction — fullness, muffled hearing, sometimes itch or pain. Treated with softening drops and in-person wax removal.
  • Referred pain — from the jaw (TMJ dysfunction), teeth, tonsils, throat, or upper neck. The ear itself often looks normal.
  • Less common but important: mastoiditis (swelling and redness behind the ear), cholesteatoma, perforated eardrum, malignant otitis externa (in diabetics and immunocompromised patients), and rarely tumours of the ear canal or middle ear.

When to see a GP, and when to go straight to an ED

Book a GP (in person or via bulk billed telehealth) if your ear pain persists beyond 24 to 48 hours, comes with fever or discharge, is recurrent, or interferes with sleep or work. People with diabetes, immunocompromise, or any swelling behind the ear should seek review early.

Attend an emergency department, or call 000, if you have any of the following red-flag features:

  • Severe ear pain with high fever or significant unwellness
  • Swelling, redness, or tenderness spreading behind the ear (possible mastoiditis)
  • Sudden hearing loss
  • Severe dizziness with vomiting, vertigo, or inability to walk
  • Facial weakness or asymmetry on the affected side
  • Severe headache, neck stiffness, or any neurological symptoms
  • Significant blood from the ear, particularly after head injury or barotrauma
  • Children who are very unwell, drowsy, refusing fluids, or with bulging or red swelling behind the ear

For these features, do not delay by booking telehealth — go straight to an emergency department.

How a telehealth GP can help with ear pain

Many causes of ear pain can be diagnosed and treated from a careful history alone, particularly in adults. Your NewDoc GP will ask about the pain's character and duration, any recent water exposure, cotton bud use, recent colds or sinus problems, fever, discharge, dizziness, hearing change, and any red-flag features. For young children with suspected middle ear infection, in-person review may be the right next step because the eardrum needs to be seen.

During the consult, your GP can:

  • Send an eScript for antibiotic-steroid ear drops (otitis externa), an appropriate oral antibiotic course (if the clinical picture warrants), or topical/oral decongestants (eustachian tube dysfunction, barotrauma)
  • Refer you to an ENT specialist for recurrent infection, persistent hearing loss, or any suspected structural cause
  • Issue a pathology referral for discharge swab if chronic or treatment-resistant
  • Advise on safe wax softening and arrange in-person wax removal at a GP clinic, audiologist, or ENT practice
  • Issue a medical certificate for work, school, or carer's leave (covering the period from when your symptoms started, where clinically appropriate)

For eligible Medicare cardholders, the consultation, eScript, referral, and certificate are all bulk billed with no out-of-pocket cost. Medications themselves are usually subsidised under the PBS at your pharmacy.

Otitis externa (swimmer's ear)

Otitis externa is inflammation of the outer ear canal. It commonly follows swimming or humid conditions, but also follows trauma from cotton buds, earphones, or hearing aid use. The ear typically feels itchy, then sore, with pain that worsens when the outer ear is gently pulled or the tragus is pressed. Discharge and muffled hearing are common.

First-line treatment is typically antibiotic-steroid ear drops per Australian Therapeutic Guidelines, alongside strict water avoidance during treatment and avoidance of cotton buds. Most cases improve within a few days. If symptoms do not improve, or if there is spreading redness, fever, or features suggesting malignant otitis externa (severe pain out of proportion, especially in diabetics or immunocompromised patients), in-person review is essential.

Acute otitis media (middle ear infection)

Acute otitis media is inflammation of the middle ear, usually following a cold or upper respiratory infection. It is more common in young children but does occur in adults. The diagnosis traditionally depends on visualising the eardrum, which is why in-person review is often the right next step for children.

Australian Therapeutic Guidelines and the RACGP recommend watchful waiting for many cases in adults and otherwise-healthy older children: most settle within 48 to 72 hours with pain relief alone. Antibiotics are recommended when symptoms are severe, when there is ear discharge, in immunocompromised patients, in babies under 12 months, and in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children — for whom the risk of complications such as chronic suppurative otitis media and hearing loss is significantly higher. Your GP will follow current guidelines and explain the recommended approach.

References

This content is informational and does not replace individual medical advice. For personal assessment, book a consultation with your GP. In emergencies, call 000.

Reviewed by Dr. Jason Yu FRACGP

Last reviewed 12 May 2026. Editorial policy

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Frequently asked questions

Can a telehealth GP assess ear pain?

Yes, in many cases. A NewDoc telehealth GP can take a focused history, ask about symptoms, recent infections, and risk factors, observe any visible swelling around the ear, and decide on the most likely cause and the next step. A telehealth GP cannot directly see your eardrum with an otoscope, so for cases where examination of the eardrum changes management — particularly young children with suspected middle ear infection — your GP may recommend in-person review. Many adult cases (swimmer's ear, eustachian tube dysfunction, referred pain) can be managed entirely via telehealth.

Will I get antibiotics for an ear infection over telehealth?

Antibiotics are appropriate for some ear infections — particularly bacterial otitis externa (swimmer's ear) and certain bacterial middle ear infections — but not for most. Australian Therapeutic Guidelines recommend a watchful-waiting approach in many cases of acute otitis media in adults and older children, because the majority improve without antibiotics within 48 to 72 hours. Where antibiotics are clinically appropriate (such as severe symptoms, ear discharge, immunocompromise, or specific risk groups including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children), your GP can send an eScript to your phone during the consultation.

When should ear pain be assessed in person or in an emergency department?

Attend an emergency department, or call 000, if you have severe ear pain with high fever, swelling or redness spreading behind the ear (possible mastoiditis), sudden hearing loss, severe dizziness with vomiting, facial weakness or asymmetry, severe headache, neck stiffness, or any neurological symptoms. Children who are very unwell, drowsy, or refusing fluids need urgent in-person review. Sudden severe ear pain after head trauma or barotrauma (rapid pressure change, diving, flying) also warrants prompt assessment. For these features, do not delay by booking telehealth.

What is swimmer's ear (otitis externa)?

Otitis externa is inflammation of the ear canal, often caused by water exposure (swimming, humid environments), trauma from cotton buds or earphones, or contact with irritants. Symptoms include itchy or painful ear that hurts when the outer ear is pulled, ear discharge, and sometimes muffled hearing. It is typically treated with antibiotic-steroid ear drops — your GP can prescribe these via telehealth, often without needing to see the eardrum. Keeping the ear dry during treatment is essential.

What is a middle ear infection (otitis media)?

Otitis media is inflammation of the middle ear, often following a cold or upper respiratory infection. It is more common in children but does occur in adults. Symptoms include ear pain, fever, hearing loss, and sometimes discharge if the eardrum bursts. Most cases in adults and older children improve within 48 to 72 hours without antibiotics, per current Australian Therapeutic Guidelines. Young children, children with severe symptoms, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are managed differently due to higher risk of complications.

Can I get my ear syringed or cleaned via telehealth?

Ear wax removal — syringing, microsuction, or curette removal — has to be performed in person. Telehealth is well suited to advising you on softening drops (such as olive oil or commercial preparations), deciding whether wax is likely the cause of your symptoms, and arranging a referral for in-person wax removal at a GP clinic, audiologist, or ENT practice. Do not attempt to remove wax with cotton buds.

Why does my ear hurt when I fly or dive?

Barotrauma — pain caused by rapid pressure change — is common during aircraft descent, scuba diving, or with a cold or sinus congestion. The eustachian tube cannot equalise pressure between the middle ear and the outside, causing pain and sometimes muffled hearing. Most cases resolve within hours to days. Your GP can recommend decongestants where appropriate, advise on safe equalisation techniques, and identify cases that need ENT review (such as persistent pain, severe hearing loss, or visible blood from the ear).

Could my ear pain be coming from somewhere else?

Yes. Referred ear pain can come from the jaw joint (temporomandibular joint dysfunction), the teeth (dental infection or cracked tooth), the throat (tonsillitis, pharyngitis), or the upper neck. The ear itself may look normal in these cases. Your GP can take a history, identify likely sources, and arrange appropriate next steps such as a dental review or ENT referral.

Can children with ear pain be assessed via telehealth?

Telehealth can be helpful as a first step for a child with ear pain — your GP can review the history, advise on pain relief, identify red-flag features, and decide whether in-person review or otoscopy is required. Because the diagnosis of acute otitis media in young children typically depends on direct visualisation of the eardrum, many cases will need in-person review. Children who are very unwell, drowsy, refusing fluids, or who have swelling behind the ear need urgent in-person assessment.

Can I get a medical certificate for ear pain?

Yes. If your GP determines that you are unfit for work, school, or carer responsibilities because of your ear pain or the underlying condition, a medical certificate can be issued during the consultation and sent electronically within minutes. Where clinically appropriate, the certificate can cover the period from when your symptoms started.

Can a telehealth GP refer me to an ENT specialist?

Yes. ENT (ear, nose and throat) specialist referrals can be issued during the consultation and are sent electronically. Common reasons to refer include recurrent ear infections, persistent hearing loss, suspected cholesteatoma, chronic eustachian tube dysfunction, suspected acoustic neuroma, and any concerning features identified during the consult. Referrals are valid for 12 months.

Is the ear pain consultation bulk billed?

Yes. NewDoc bulk bills telehealth consultations for eligible Medicare cardholders, so there is no out-of-pocket cost for the GP appointment. Any eScript, pathology referral, ENT specialist referral, or medical certificate issued during the consultation is included at no extra charge. Medications themselves are usually subsidised under the PBS at your pharmacy.

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