Ear pain
Ear pain may be caused by infection, inflammation, pressure changes, wax or irritation of the ear canal.
Doctor-led ear infection care
Ear Infection Treatment in Nottingham
Private assessment and treatment planning for adults with ear pain, discharge, itchiness, inflammation, blocked ears or hearing changes, carried out by a GMC-registered doctor.
Treatment of Ear Infection
Private doctor-led care for painful, itchy or inflamed ears
Ear infections can affect the ear canal, eardrum or middle ear and may cause pain, discharge, itchiness, swelling, reduced hearing or a blocked sensation. Symptoms can overlap with wax, eczema, irritation and eustachian tube dysfunction, so careful examination is important before treatment is recommended.
Ear infection symptoms should be assessed when they are persistent, worsening, recurrent or associated with discharge, swelling, significant pain, hearing change, dizziness or feeling unwell. In many adults, ear infections are treatable, but ongoing inflammation can cause pain, discharge, swelling of the ear canal and temporary hearing reduction. Symptoms may also be caused or worsened by wax, eczema, moisture, irritation or middle ear problems, so examination is important before treatment is advised.
In higher-risk patients, including people with diabetes or reduced immune function, some external ear infections can behave more aggressively and may require urgent specialist or hospital input. At Nottingham Ear Clinic, your doctor will examine the ear canal and eardrum, assess the likely cause of your symptoms and provide safe treatment advice, follow-up guidance or escalation where clinically needed.
At Nottingham Ear Clinic, your appointment is carried out by a GMC-registered doctor with specialist ENT training. We are based in Stapleford, Nottingham, and support patients from across Nottingham, Beeston, Long Eaton, Ilkeston, Wollaton, West Bridgford, Derby and surrounding areas.
What can ear infection treatment help with?
A doctor-led appointment can help assess whether your symptoms are due to infection, inflammation or another ear condition.
Ear discharge
Discharge can occur with infection or inflammation and should be assessed carefully to guide treatment.
Itchy ears
Itchiness may be linked to infection, eczema, dry skin, irritation or overuse of cotton buds or ear drops.
Reduced hearing
Infection or swelling can affect hearing clarity, especially if the ear canal is inflamed or blocked.
Blocked or full ears
A blocked feeling may be due to infection, wax, fluid, pressure problems or inflammation.
Middle ear symptoms
Middle ear problems may cause pressure, muffled hearing, discomfort or a sensation of fluid behind the eardrum.
Understanding ear infections
Ear pain, discharge, itchiness and reduced hearing can have different causes. Your appointment is designed to identify the likely cause before treatment is recommended.
Clinical assessment
We look beyond the symptoms
Many ear problems feel similar at first. A doctor-led ear examination helps distinguish infection from inflammation, wax, eczema, irritation, middle-ear fluid or eustachian tube problems, so treatment can be more targeted and clinically appropriate.
Outer ear canal
Otitis externa
Inflammation or infection of the ear canal, often causing pain, itchiness, swelling, discharge and tenderness when the outer ear is touched.
Middle ear
Middle ear infection or fluid
Can cause earache, pressure, muffled hearing, feverish symptoms or the sensation of fluid behind the eardrum.
Organism type
Bacterial or fungal infection
The ear canal appearance, discharge and previous response to treatment can help guide whether bacterial, fungal or mixed infection is more likely.
Non-infective causes
Eczema, irritation or wax
Itchy, painful or blocked ears are not always due to infection. Dry skin, cotton bud use, wax build-up and irritation from drops can produce similar symptoms.
Further testing
Ear swabs where indicated
If there is discharge, recurrent infection or poor response to treatment, a swab may help identify bacterial or fungal causes and guide treatment.
What happens during your ear infection appointment?
Clinical history
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms, onset, pain, discharge, itchiness, hearing changes, previous infections, ear surgery, allergies and any treatment already tried.
Clinical ear examination
Your ears will be examined carefully using appropriate clinical instruments, such as a digital otoscope, so the ear canal and eardrum can be assessed clearly.
Images or video where useful
Images or video may be taken to document the findings, help you understand what is happening inside the ear and support follow-up comparison if needed.
Diagnosis and treatment plan
Your doctor will explain the likely cause, whether infection appears bacterial, fungal or inflammatory, and discuss treatment options including private prescription treatment where appropriate.
Clinical escalation when needed
When urgent ENT input may be needed
Most ear infections can be assessed and treated safely in clinic. However, some symptoms may suggest a more serious or complex ear problem that needs urgent specialist advice.
Because Nottingham Ear Clinic is doctor-led, we can recognise when urgent ENT input may be required and advise on the safest next step. Where clinically appropriate, our doctors can contact local ENT teams, including Queen’s Medical Centre, to discuss urgent cases and support timely onward assessment.
Symptoms that may need urgent review
- Severe or rapidly worsening ear pain
- Swelling, redness or tenderness around the ear
- Persistent discharge that is not improving
- Significant dizziness or balance disturbance
- Sudden or marked hearing change
- Facial weakness, severe headache or feeling very unwell
- Diabetes, immune suppression or other higher-risk medical conditions
Clear advice before you leave
Your doctor will explain what has been found, what treatment is recommended, what to monitor for, and when further medical review or onward ENT assessment may be needed.
What is included in your ear infection appointment?
Medical consultation
Time to discuss your symptoms, concerns, previous ear history and any treatment already used.
Clinical otoscopic ear examination
Careful assessment of the ear canal and eardrum using clinical instruments such as a digital otoscope, allowing your doctor to assess inflammation, discharge, wax, swelling and the appearance of the eardrum clearly.
Images or video where useful
Clinical images or video may be used to document findings and help explain what is happening inside the ear.
Ear swabbing where indicated
If discharge or recurrent infection is present, your doctor may recommend an ear swab to check for bacterial or fungal infection and help guide the most appropriate treatment.
Personalised treatment advice
Your doctor will explain the likely cause of your symptoms and provide tailored advice on the most appropriate treatment, ear care, medication options and practical steps to support safe recovery.
Private prescription where appropriate
If medication is clinically needed, your doctor can discuss suitable options and provide a private prescription.
Microsuction if required
If wax, debris or discharge is affecting the examination or contributing to symptoms, careful microsuction may be carried out where clinically safe and appropriate.
Recovery review and follow-up plan
You will receive clear guidance on expected recovery, warning signs to watch for and follow-up review where clinically appropriate to ensure the infection is improving or has fully settled.
Before and after your appointment
Before your appointment
If you have pain, discharge, swelling, recent infection, a history of ear surgery or a known eardrum perforation, avoid putting anything into the ear unless you have been advised to do so by a clinician.
Please bring details of any ear drops, antibiotics, allergies or previous ear conditions so your doctor can make a safe, informed treatment plan.
After your appointment
Your doctor will explain how to use any prescribed treatment and whether the ear should be kept dry. Avoid cotton buds, ear candles, tissues or other objects in the ear canal.
If symptoms worsen, you develop severe pain, facial weakness, dizziness, significant hearing loss or feel systemically unwell, seek urgent medical advice.
Related ear care services
If infection is not the cause of your symptoms, your doctor may recommend one of our related ear care services.
Private ENT Consultation
Doctor-led assessment for ear pain, blocked ears, tinnitus, dizziness, discharge or hearing concerns.
Microsuction Wax Removal
Safe wax removal using ENT-grade microscope equipment where wax build-up is contributing to symptoms.
Private Hearing Care
Advice on hearing assessment and hearing care where hearing changes need further review.
Ear Conditions We Can Help With
Learn more about common symptoms including tinnitus, dizziness, blocked ears and eustachian tube dysfunction.
Your questions, answered
Common questions about private ear infection treatment at Nottingham Ear Clinic.
Do I need a GP referral?
No. Adults can book directly with Nottingham Ear Clinic for a private assessment of ear infection symptoms.
What symptoms may suggest an ear infection?
Symptoms can include ear pain, discharge, itchiness, swelling, reduced hearing, tenderness, pressure or a blocked sensation. Outer ear infection, known as otitis externa, often causes canal pain, itching, discharge and tenderness. Your doctor will examine the ear to understand the likely cause.
Can you prescribe treatment?
Where clinically appropriate, your doctor can discuss treatment options and provide a private prescription. Treatment will depend on the examination findings and your medical history.
What if it is not an infection?
If infection is not the cause, your doctor can assess for other possible explanations such as wax build-up, eczema, irritation, eustachian tube dysfunction or middle ear problems.
Will you take images or video inside my ear?
Images or video may be taken where clinically useful to document findings, explain the problem and support follow-up advice.
Can you remove wax at the same appointment?
If wax is present and it is clinically appropriate to remove it, your doctor will explain the options. Sometimes infection or sensitivity means wax removal should be delayed until the ear has settled.
Do you see children?
Nottingham Ear Clinic currently provides private ear care for adults aged 18 and over only.
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