Why does common cold cause ear pain?

Common cold, which is caused by an infection of the upper respiratory tract, can cause ear pain in several ways. One possible explanation is that common cold viruses can enter your inner ear and lead to infections like otitis media or bacterial meningitis. Otitis media involves inflammation of the middle ear due to some sort of infection and can cause severe discomfort, difficulty hearing, and dizziness. It can also spread from the eardrum to other parts of the ear such as the mastoid bone behind it which again causes inflammation and pain in that area.

Another possible reason for why common colds cause ear pain could be related to congestion or blockage in the Eustachian tube (a tube running from each side of your throat down into each inner ear) due to swelling triggered by a viral infection resulting in pressure being built up within your ears causing them to become painful or uncomfortable.  Ultimately, both bacterial infections as well as blockages resulting from swelling are potential explanations for why common colds may present with symptoms such as soreness and aching inside your ears.