ABSTRACT
Otalgia is one of the commonest symptoms for which patients report to the ear, nose and throat (ENT) outpatient department (OPD) and to the emergency department. Otalgia is a cardinal symptom of ear disease and its origin is varied, depending on its aetiology. While it is otogenic in most cases, it can be referred from a distant site which occurs as a result of a plethora of neural innervations that the ear receives. As the symptom has multiple aspects, a patient presenting with otalgia often poses a diagnostic challenge to a clinician and an otolaryngologist should be prepared to tackle these challenges to provide the best possible care to the patients.
