What is otalgia?

Otalgia specifically refers to pain in the ear. This term is derived from the Greek words "oto," meaning ear, and "algia," meaning pain. It's a clinical term commonly used in medical contexts to describe discomfort or pain that originates from the ear, which can result from various conditions, such as infections, injuries, or other medical issues affecting the ear structure.

In contrast, the other options describe different medical issues. Pain in the throat refers to a sore throat, which is unrelated to ear pain. Difficulty in hearing refers to hearing loss, which might be a symptom but not the pain itself. An infection of the outer ear is known as otitis externa, which can indeed cause otalgia, but it is a specific condition that leads to ear pain rather than defining it. Thus, understanding the precise definition of otalgia confirms that pain in the ear is indeed the correct interpretation.