About a year ago, I got an ear infection.
As children, many of us experienced the searing pain of an infected ear. We cried to our parents and were sent home from school, told to rest in bed and get better. For most of us, ear pain became a less common occurrence as we grew older. However, there are many individuals out there who continue to suffer from chronic, uncomfortable ear pain.
In some instances, ear pain can only be solved with ear surgery – not a popular option, for many reasons. However, it may not be necessary to resort to these drastic measures. For some people suffering from pain in their ear canal, the simple action of swapping out their pillow for one designed to relieve ear pressure will do the trick. If you’ve found yourself reading this article, it’s likely that you’re experiencing chronic pain in your ear area and are searching for relief. You may find yourself wondering “what pillows are best at relieving pain from the ear?”
This was me not too long ago. I found myself in near tears, driving to the nearest emergency clinic for some decent pain killers and decongestants. The doctor, kindly, told me that much of my suffering could be relieved by managing my congestion and, surprisingly, changing the way I position my head as I sleep. A new pillow, he assured me, would go a long way in alleviating my current pain and preventing it from returning.
I found myself doing endless research, trying to find a pillow that would be both comfortable AND provide the support I needed to sleep without pain as my medicine did its work. It was difficult to determine what the best pillows were for my needs.
Eventually, I found my way to the Sleepy Center site. At the time, there weren’t any articles specifically dedicated to alleviating ear pain, but there were suggestions for other ailments. And after a few quick article scans, I found myself ordering a new, supportive pillow that has, to this date, prevented me from another ear infection.
Now, I get the pleasure of helping you. I know enough about the internet to know that you’ve stumbled across this page as the result of a very specific set of search words. And if you’ve found yourself searching for “best pillows to relive ear pain” (or something similar), my heart goes out to you. Ear pain is literally the worst.
Rest assured, we’re here to help.
Since getting the opportunity to write for Sleepy Center, I’ve had the opportunity to review several products on the market. This means that the team here (and myself) have spent time evaluating available pillow options from across the net and have narrowed the list of pillows down to those which will truly improve your sleep experience. We’ve done the work and put together a list of the greatest pillows for ear pain; use it to find the pillow that will help you sleep with less pain.
Ear Pain Pillow Comparison Table
The Top 4 Pillows for Ear Pain
PureComfort Ear Pain Relief Pillow
Highlights:
- Cover: bamboo
- Fill: CertiPur-US certified memory foam
- Texture: firm
- Warranty: 5-year warranty and 100-day satisfaction guarantee
Overview
First on our list of pillows for ear pain is the PureComfort Ear Pain Relief Pillow. This design caters specifically to the average side sleeper – each indentation is basically an “ear hole,” meant to alleviate the ear pressure associated with traditional pillows. Because this pillow is specifically constructed to support side sleepers, it’s a perfect pillow for neck pain relief as well. Its memory foam texture provides additional support for those who need a firmer level of support.
This pillow is odorless and maintains its shape even after continuous use. The cover is made with ultra-breathable bamboo which is machine washable and resistant to dust mites. It’s also hypoallergenic, free of lead, heavy metals, mercury, and other dangerous ingredients. And because it’s CertiPUR-US certified, you can rest assured knowing it’s made of the highest-quality memory foam available.
It’s also fully customizable. This pillow comes with height inserts that allow users to fine-tune their level of support.
If I’m being honest, I WISH that I had found this pillow when I was doing my research. The cushiony foam and ear indentations look like they were built to prevent pain. That’s why we’ve placed it in the number one spot on our list of pillows.
Pros
- Includes an “ear hole” on both sides, perfect for side sleepers
- Supports all sleep positions
- Hypoallergenic and mildew, mold and dust mite resistant
- Made with CertiPUR-US certified memory foam
- Relieves pain and supports the head and neck
- Machine washable
Cons
- The few low-star reviews on Amazon mention that this pillow is too firm for some users.
Best For:
Side sleepers and anyone else looking for the best pillow which with an ear hole option.
The Original Pillow for Ear Pain and CNH with a Hole
Highlights
- Cover: Rose and Hubble cotton
- Fill: Hypoallergenic hollow-fiber
- Texture: Adjustable
- Warranty: No
Overview
As the name probably revealed, The Original Pillow for Ear Pain and CNH with a Hole is, well, the original pillow for ear pain. This pillow comes all the way from England, with thousands of users touting its ability to reduce their chronic ear pain. Unlike some pillows, with holes on just one side, this pillow is designed with an ear hole on both sides, allowing its users to flip the pillow over as necessary, meaning you’ll always keep cool. This is honestly one of the greatest features of this pillow – I don’t know about you, but I HATE it when pillows get overheated. The fast that some pillows designed for ear pain basically force their users to stay put on one side is a bit irksome. This pillow fully solves that problem.
Further, his pillow comes encased in a luxurious Rose and Hubble cotton cover and is filled with hypoallergenic hollow-fiber. It’s a bit softer than traditional pillows, and is designed to lay atop another pillow on its user’s bed. Each pillow also comes with additional stuffing, so users can adjust its level of firmness to their exact needs. The cotton filling is cooler and less dense than traditional memory foam pillows, yet still provide enough support for side sleepers and those suffering from neck pain.
The double-sided ear hole makes this pillow perfect for anyone recovering from ear surgery, and the hollow-fiber fill makes it a great option for users who tend to suffer from allergies. Basically, it checks off every single box in “annoying and painful things that make it difficult to get a good night’s sleep.”
Pros
- Designed to complement the average side sleeper
- Alleviates neck pressure
- Dermatologist recommended
- Double-sided ear hole
Cons
- Some users felt that the filling flattened too easily.
Best For:
Side sleepers and those suffering from chronic ear or neck pain.
Nature’s Guest Adjustable Support Pillow
Highlights
- Cover: Cotton
- Fill: Microfiber
- Texture: Adjustable from medium to firm
- Warranty: 30-day satisfaction guarantee
Overview
Third on our list is the Nature’s Guest Adjustable Pillow. Praised by consumers, orthopedic doctors, and chiropractors alike, this pillow is truly a jack-of-all-trades. This pillow is designed specifically to support both back and side sleepers by offering premium neck support. The contoured center of this pillow allows users to switch their sleep positions throughout the night without compromising comfort. Users can move from their back to their side without putting extra pressure on their neck or ears.
Something I find particularly attractive about this pillow is that it doesn’t LOOK like a pillow intended for pain relief. It looks like a normal memory foam pillow. Adding a simple pillow case allows it to blend in with the rest of the decor in an owner’s bedroom, without rendering it useless to its intended needs. This is a bit more challenging in models which include an ear-hole; covering them would essentially negate the point of the hole!
Further, the pillow’s dual zipper design offers users the ability to adjust its firmness to meet their needs. The cover is made with 233 thread count cotton that is hypoallergenic and machine washable, meaning it’ll always feel fresh and clean.
While this pillow doesn’t come with a warranty, it does come with a 30-day money back guarantee. If you don’t love it after 30 days, you can return the pillow for a refund.
Pros
- Gusseted edge which relieves neck pain associated with side sleeping
- Hypoallergenic cover and filling
- Adjustable firmness
- Relieves ear pressure
Cons
- Some users found that the zippers on the pillow were rather fragile and broke easily.
Best For:
Anyone who can’t tell if they’re truly a back or side sleeper. This pillow is designed to let you move easily from one position to the other without any added pressure to your neck or spine.
Core Products D-Core Ear Pain Pillow
Highlights
- Cover: 50% cotton, 50% polyester
- Fill: Virgin polyester fiber
- Texture: Extremely firm
- Warranty: No
Overview
The fourth pillow on our list is The Core Products D-Core Ear Pain Pillow. Again, this is a pillow which looks less like something medicinal and more like a normal bed dressing. It helps its users by protecting the ears from discomfort and pain while also correcting the alignment of the spine. It acts as a cervical pillow, fitting the natural curvature of the upper spine and neck, making it perfect for both back and side sleepers. In fact, it’s one of the best pillows for neck discomfort available.
Its unique D shape helps relieve neck spasms, snoring, arthritis, and tension headaches, all while reducing pressure on the side of the face and ear areas.
The pillow is filled with 100% non-allergic virgin polyester fiber and is extremely firm. The manufacturer notes that this pillow might take some time to get used to; because it’s designed to realign your spine and readjust your posture, early overuse might actually increase neck discomfort in some users. If you suffer from chronic neck or orthopedic pain, it might be beneficial to consult with a doctor before using this pillow.
The cover is made of a breathable poly-cotton blend, and the pillow itself comes in different sizes based on the height and overall needs of each user. This is SUCH an important trait in a pillow; no two people are built the same (nor do they SLEEP the same), so the ability to find a pillow that suits their purposes while catering to their specific needs is absolutely essential to overall comfort (and sleep quality).
Pros
- Perfect for relieving neck pressure
- Offers orthopedic alignment
- Breathable and soft
- Fits in a standard pillowcase
Cons
- This pillow is extremely firm. Orthopedic correction can take some getting used to, so it’s important that users take the time to adjust the pillow their specific needs and stop use if pressure or pain persists.
Best For:
Side sleepers looking to alleviate pressure to their neck, back, shoulders, and spine, as well as anyone else searching for a pillow that will help correct their posture.
Final Thoughts
Ear pain is notorious for interrupting regular sleep. The chronic annoyance leaves its victims tired and lethargic in addition to the pain it causes. The first two nights of my ear infection, I barely slept at all. The second night, before I went to the clinic to seek treatment and a diagnosis, was particularly awful. As a full grown adult, I found myself crying into my pillow, wanting SOMETHING to help me feel better.
Relief, however, can be as simple as changing out the pillows on your bed.
Each of the products on this list would have helped me greatly in my moment of need. The pressure associated with chronic ear pain is absolutely not to be underestimated.
But I know, maybe better than a lot of people, that when it comes to finding the best pillow for ear pain, the choices can be innumerable. Every brand will claim that its pillows are “the best” pillows; because of this, it can be difficult to identify which “best pillow” is truly the best pillow for you.
And that’s where we come in.
As I’m sure you noticed, the items on this list come from several different brands. We don’t work for these companies, so we’re not being biased when we share our opinions. We’re just normal people, like yourself, who one day found ourselves searching for answers and eventually ended up sharing the answers that we found. We’re here to make your life a bit easier (and hopefully more pain free).
Each of the pillows on this list is designed to relieve pressure to user’s ear area, providing them with an enhanced level of comfort that will allow them to sleep pain-free. Whether you’re an adult dealing with chronic ear issues, or if you have a child suffering from an infected pierced ear or annoying ear infection, one of these pillows will help relieve you of some of your pain.
I haven’t had an ear infection since that painful week over a year ago. And while I’m sure part of it is overall health, I also attribute a lot of my luck to sleeping on a pillow that is specifically designed to keep me pain free.
