Ear Pain & Ear Infection Treatment
Whether it's an ear infection, swimmer's ear, blockage, or sudden earache, we treat children and adults seven days a week. We're open evenings and weekends, right when ear pain usually hurts most.
- Walk in 7 days a week
- Children and adults treated
- Examined and treated in the same visit
Walk-In Ear Care at AFC
AFC Urgent Care Cedar Bluff in Knoxville, TN
9203 Kingston PikeKnoxville, TN 37922
Booking a visit for Ear pain.
Hours
Monday - 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday - 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday - 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday - 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday - 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday - 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday - 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Ear Symptoms We Treat, and When to Come In
While ear pain is the most obvious sign of an issue, ear conditions often bring a range of uncomfortable symptoms, from muffled hearing in adults to unexplained fussiness and trouble sleeping in little ones.
What Brings People In
Ear issues can manifest differently depending on age and underlying cause. Watch for these signs and come into your nearest AFC clinic for diagnosis and treatment.
- Earache, in one or both ears
- Muffled or reduced hearing
- A feeling of fullness or pressure
- Fluid or discharge from the ear
- Itching in the ear canal
- Ringing, or a popping that won't clear
- In toddlers and young kids: pulling at an ear, unusual crying, trouble sleeping, or a fever without other symptoms
When to Come In
Come in if the ear pain is severe, if there's fluid or discharge, if hearing has changed, or if a child has been in pain for more than a day. If ear pain is accompanied by a fever, or if a young child seems unwell, come in as soon as possible.
When to Go to the Emergency Room Instead
Some ear pain and related symptoms should be addressed at the emergency room.
- The area behind the ear is red, swollen, or the ear is pushed outward
- There's a stiff neck with a severe headache and fever
- One side of the face has become weak or droopy
- Hearing has been lost suddenly
- Severe dizziness preventing you from being able to stand
- There's a head injury with bleeding or clear fluid from the ear
If any of these describe you or your child, go to the emergency room.
How We Diagnose and Treat Ear Problems
Middle ear infections, swimmer's ear, wax buildup, and referred pain often feel the same, which is why a fast, thorough examination makes all the difference. We carry out the exam, diagnose the cause, and provide effective treatment all in the same visit.
Examine the Ear
A provider will use an otoscope to examine your ear canal, as well as your eardrum. This will help them determine if you have an infection, an impaction, or another problem, and what treatment is necessary.
Identify the Cause
In addition to examining your ear, the provider will perform a complete head and neck exam, looking for all possible causes of your symptoms, since some ear symptoms come from other areas of the head and neck.
Prescribe Treatment
Treatment will target the specific cause of your symptoms. This may include flushing the ear, ear drops, or, when necessary, antibiotics.
What to Watch For
- Swelling, redness, or tenderness behind the ear
- High or persistent fever
- Neck swelling
- Symptoms that worsen despite antibiotics
- Severe headache, vomiting, neck stiffness, confusion, or drowsiness
- Facial weakness or asymmetry
- Severe dizziness
- Sudden hearing loss
What's Causing the Ear Pain?
Because several distinct ear issues cause similar discomfort, understanding where the pain stems from and what other symptoms you're experiencing helps pinpoint the exact cause.
| Cause | What it usually feels like | Clues |
|---|---|---|
| Middle ear infection | Deep, constant ache, often worse lying down | Common in young children, frequently after a cold, sometimes with fever |
| Swimmer's ear | Pain in the outer canal, worse when the ear is touched or pulled | Often after swimming or a lot of moisture, with itching |
| Earwax build-up | Blocked, full or muffled rather than sharply painful | Hearing changes more than pain, often gradual |
| Referred pain | Ear hurts but the ear itself looks normal | Comes from a throat infection, a tooth, or the jaw joint |
Does an Ear Infection Need Antibiotics?
Not every ear infection requires antibiotics. Because many middle ear infections clear up on their own, initial treatment often focuses on effective pain relief. Antibiotics are more likely to be prescribed if the patient is a young child, has a high fever or intense pain, has infections in both ears, or isn't improving after a couple of days.
During your visit, your provider will explain which approach makes sense. Depending on the diagnosis, they may write an immediate prescription or recommend a delayed prescription if symptoms haven't improved.
Please Don't Use Cotton Buds
Cotton buds push wax further in and are the most common cause of the ear injuries we see. The same goes for ear candles, which don't remove wax and can cause burns. If your ear feels blocked, come into your nearest AFC and have a provider take a look; it takes a few minutes and it's much safer than doing it yourself.
Cost and Insurance
We bill most insurance. A visit for ear pain is billed as an office visit, so what you pay depends on your individual plan.
If you're paying for yourself, a visit at this clinic starts at $190.
Ear Care Near Knoxville
AFC Urgent Care Cedar Bluff is located at 9203 Kingston Pike, proudly serving Knoxville, TN and surrounding areas.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ear Problems
Can you treat ear infections in children?
Yes. Ear infections are one of the most common reasons children come into AFC, and we see all ages. A provider will examine the ear and explain what's causing the pain.
Does an ear infection always need antibiotics?
No. Many ear infections clear on their own with supportive pain relief. Antibiotics are more likely to be prescribed for young children when accompanied by severe pain or fever, when both ears are affected, or when symptoms haven't improved after a couple of days.
Do I need an appointment?
No. Walk in seven days a week, including evenings and weekends, or book a time online.
Can you remove earwax?
Yes. A provider can remove earwax during your visit.
Why does my ear hurt more at night?
Lying down increases pressure in the middle ear, which is why earaches often feel worse in the evening. Nighttime ear pain is the most common reason people come in after hours.
My ear hurts, but I have a sore throat too. Which is it?
Ear pain and a sore throat often accompany each other because throat infections can refer pain to the ear. We can examine the ear and test for strep during the same visit.
Is it safe to use cotton buds?
No. Cotton buds push wax further into the ear canal and are the most common cause of the ear injuries we treat. Ear candles don't help either and can burn. If your ear feels blocked, come in and have an AFC provider take a look.
Related Conditions & Nearby AFC Locations
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Ear Cleaning & Earwax Removal
-
Pediatric & Children's Care
-
Strep Throat
-
Cold, Sinus & Respiratory
Nearby AFC Locations
700 N Campbell Station RoadFarragut, TN 37934
5.0 mi away
(865) 288-0119 Pre-Register Get Directions
