Assessment

Consider possible causes

• otitis externa, otitis media
• tonsillitis, temporo-mandibular joint pain, neuralgia
• referred pain from cervical spine, teeth, base of tongue, tonsils.

Management

Treat underlying condition.

Referral threshold

Please remember that unilateral unexplained head/neck pain for more than four weeks, with otalgia and normal ear drum, would qualify for Two Week Wait referral, rather than using the Referral Support Service.