Why Do My Ears Hurt When I Run?

Why do my ears hurt when I run?

Introduction

Exercise is beneficial for a whole host of different reasons.

It helps us to lose weight, it strengthens the heart, it improves our fitness, it boosts our mental health, and plenty more besides.

As beneficial as exercise is, however, it can cause us pain and discomfort too.

If you’re a keen runner, no doubt you’ll have experienced all of the more common injuries and ailments that runners suffer from, such as shin splints, tight hamstrings, pulled Achilles tendons, sore knees, and so on.

One other ailment that runners sometimes experience, however, is one that they don’t necessarily associate with running – ear pain.

Yes, runners not only experience sore muscles and joints, but it is also not uncommon for runners to experience pain in the ear during and after a run.

But why do our ears hurt when we run, and is there anything that can be done?

Let’s take a look, shall we?

Here’s a detailed look at why some people experience ear pain when they run:

Constricted blood vessels

If you find that your ears become sore and tender during a run, and after you complete a run, it could be down to what is known as constricted blood vessels.

Typically, runners who run long distances experience constricted blood vessels, which causes a lot of pain and discomfort in the ears.

You will also notice that ear pain becomes increasingly evident and painful when running in colder weather or at high altitudes.

Basically, blood vessels that ordinarily supply blood to the ears become constricted, which means that less blood reaches the ears.

This results in an accumulation of oxygen in the ears as CO2 exchange rates are reduced.

The accumulation of oxygen causes a build-up of pressure in the ears, which causes earache and can lead to headaches too.

If you are a long-distance runner or if you run at high altitudes or in cold weather, constricted blood vessels could be the cause of all of your ear pain woes.

A ruptured eardrum

On paper, a ruptured eardrum sounds quite dramatic, yet in reality, it’s not as extreme as it sounds.

It could also, however, be the reason for your ear pain when running.

You see, a ruptured eardrum is basically a condition characterized by small holes in the soft tissue in the ears.

It’s rare for ruptured eardrums to be caused by exercise, but running could exasperate the condition and make these small holes larger.

Changes in air pressure can lead to ruptured eardrums, along with trauma caused by the head moving around a lot or being jolted when running.

Just to make matters worse, if you do have a ruptured eardrum, you’ll find that any sweat that gets in there will also heighten the pain and make it worse.

Acid reflux

Typically, people that experience acid reflux will get it at night when they’re laying down in bed.

It turns out, however, that people who suffer from GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) may be exasperating the condition by running.

Whole-body impact, such as that caused by running, can trigger acid reflux.

Not only can acid reflux cause heartburn and indigestion, but it can also lead to sore throats and earaches.

If you suffer from acid reflux, it could be that the impact from running is triggering acid reflux attacks, which could be leading to earache and discomfort.

Cold ears

Cold temperatures don’t just cause constricted blood vessels, they can also cause pain in general.

If you hold your feet in an ice bucket for a few minutes, you’ll find that your feet go numb, and you experience a lot of pain and discomfort.

When you take them out and expose them to warmer temperatures, the aching will intensify.

What does this have to do with your ears? Well, the same principle applies.

If you go running in the winter and your ears are exposed to the elements, the cold temperatures can cause them to feel sore and tender, as well as numb.

The easiest way to avoid this is to wear a hat or an ear band when working out.

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Earbuds or headphones

Let’s face it, one of life’s many pleasures is getting your running gear on, throwing in your headphones or earbuds, cranking up the volume, and listening to your favorite tunes as you go running and forget the world.

As great as the music is when running, however, one of the main downsides is the fact that earbuds can potentially cause you a great deal of ear pain.

Earbuds are popular with runners as they sit snugly in the ears and are small and discreet.

The problem, however, is that if they sit in the ears for too long, they can cause a lot of pain and discomfort.

People often force earbuds in very tight when running to try to ensure that they don’t fall out.

The problem is that the tighter in they are, the more damage they can cause.

Even large earbuds can cause problems, as they can damage the ear canal.

Ideally, you want earbuds that fit comfortably in your ears without being too large or too small.

Alternatively, go for a different style of headphones or earbuds, which are designed to minimize ear pain and discomfort.

Music volume

Finally, the last reason why your ears hurt during, and after a run, could simply be the fact that you’re playing your music too loud.

It doesn’t matter whether you have earbuds or headphones, if the volume is too loud, this can damage your eardrums and damage your hearing.

By all means, listen to music when running, but don’t have it cranked up as loud as it will go.

Image source – https://pixabay.com/photos/woman-jogging-running-exercise-2592247/

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