Urgent Care for Ear Infection
Ear pain, pressure, or hearing changes. Common in kids but adults get them too. Urgent care can examine and prescribe antibiotics if needed.
Find Urgent Care Near You$100-$175
At urgent care. ER treatment for the same condition typically costs 5-15× more.
Common Symptoms
- Ear pain (sharp, dull, or throbbing)
- Feeling of fullness or pressure
- Muffled hearing or ringing
- Fluid drainage from the ear
- Fever (especially in children)
- Tugging at the ear (in young children)
- Trouble sleeping due to pain when lying down
How Urgent Care Treats Ear Infection
- Otoscope examination of the eardrum
- Diagnose middle ear infection vs. swimmer's ear vs. wax buildup
- Prescribe oral antibiotics (amoxicillin) if bacterial
- Prescribe ear drops for swimmer's ear (outer ear infection)
- Treat pain with a numbing eardrop
- Remove impacted ear wax
What to Expect at Your Visit
Most ear infection visits are 20-40 minutes. The provider looks in the ear with an otoscope, decides if it's bacterial, viral, or wax-related, and prescribes accordingly. Many ear infections (especially in adults) are viral and resolve without antibiotics — your provider may recommend wait-and-see with pain management. Cost: $100-$175.
- Severe pain with high fever and stiff neck (possible mastoiditis)
- Sudden hearing loss with vertigo
- Ear pain following a head injury
- Bloody discharge from the ear
Frequently Asked
Do all ear infections need antibiotics?
No. Many ear infections — especially in adults — are viral and clear on their own with pain management. The American Academy of Pediatrics actually recommends a 'wait and see' approach for many mild cases in older children. Your urgent care provider will decide based on age, symptoms, and severity.
Can adults get ear infections?
Yes, although they're less common than in children. Adult ear infections often follow a cold, sinus infection, or allergies, and can be more painful because the adult ear canal is narrower.
Urgent Care Clinics That Can Help
0 mi · Miami, FL
0 mi · Miami, FL
0 mi · Orlando, FL
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911.
This page is general information, not medical advice. Always call 911 for emergencies and consult a qualified healthcare provider for personal medical decisions.