What is otalgia?

Otalgia specifically refers to pain in the ear. This term is often used in medical contexts to describe any discomfort or pain experienced in the ear, which can arise from various conditions, including infections, blockages, or referred pain from other areas such as the throat. Understanding otalgia is essential for hearing instrument specialists, as ear pain can influence hearing ability and the suitability of certain hearing aids or interventions.

The other options represent different ear-related issues: fluid in the middle ear typically indicates a condition like otitis media; sensation of fullness may be associated with Eustachian tube dysfunction; and hearing distortion can result from various auditory processing or structural problems. While all these conditions can occur in conjunction with ear pain, they do not define otalgia itself, which is solely characterized by pain.