why does the inside of my ear hurt when i touch it

The inside of the ear can hurt when touched for several reasons, most commonly due to infections or irritation. One frequent cause is an outer ear infection (otitis externa), often called swimmer's ear, where bacteria or fungi infect the ear canal causing pain, itching, redness, swelling, and increased sensitivity when touching the ear. Middle ear infections or fluid buildup behind the eardrum can also cause pain that worsens when the ear is touched. Other causes include impacted earwax pushing deeper in the ear canal, sinus infections causing referred ear pain, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders near the ear, and dental issues. Touch sensitivity typically indicates inflammation or infection of the ear canal or surrounding tissues. If the pain is severe, persistent, accompanied by fever, discharge, or hearing loss, it's important to seek medical evaluation and treatment, which may involve antibiotics, ear drops, or other interventions depending on the cause.