Headaches localized behind the ears while wearing glasses are a common and frustrating experience. This specific type of discomfort, often felt near the mastoid area, is typically not a sign of a serious health issue but rather a direct result of an improper physical fit. The constant pressure exerted by the frame on sensitive areas of the head is the primary driver of this pain. Understanding the mechanical and biological reasons behind this pressure-induced headache is the first step toward finding relief.
Causes Related to Frame Pressure
The physical dimensions of the eyeglass frame are the most frequent source of pressure and subsequent headaches. When the temple arms are too short for your head’s width, they exert a constant inward squeeze. This tightness prevents the frames from sitting correctly and creates excessive tension where the arms curve behind the ear. Conversely, if the temple arms are too long, the curve may rest too far down the neck, failing to distribute weight properly and causing an unnatural pressure point.
Frame weight also contributes significantly to discomfort, especially with bulkier frame styles or thick prescription lenses. Heavy frames continually pull downward, concentrating strain onto the small contact areas behind the ears. This concentrated weight is often compounded by an incorrect bend in the temple tip, the final section of the arm that hooks around the ear. An optician should adjust this bend to match the contour of your ear and the prominent mastoid bone, preventing a focused pinch. If the frame’s overall width is too narrow, the entire structure binds the head, leading to pain.
Nerve Compression and Referred Pain
The mechanical pressure from ill-fitting frames often translates into a headache through the irritation of specific sensory nerves. The greater auricular nerve, which provides sensation to the skin around the ear and over the mastoid process, is particularly vulnerable to compression from a tight temple tip. Constant pressure on this spot can lead to a condition known as neuralgia, where the nerve becomes inflamed and sends pain signals. This nerve irritation can feel like a sharp, burning, or aching pain localized exactly where the glasses rest.
The pressure can also affect the occipital nerves, which extend from the neck up into the back of the scalp. This is known as referred pain, explaining how irritation at the ear can be felt as a headache radiating up the head. Pressure from the frame can also cause the small muscles around the ear, such as the posterior auricular muscle, to tense up as they attempt to stabilize the glasses. This muscular strain contributes to the overall tension headache sensation, causing pain that feels like it originates deep within the head. The persistent compression acts as a trigger, converting a localized fit issue into a widespread headache.
Immediate Steps and Professional Adjustments
The most immediate action is to gently check your frames for visible pressure marks, especially redness or indentations behind the ears. For minor, temporary relief, you can try to slightly widen the temple arms by gently stretching them outward, which may reduce the inward squeeze on your head. You should also verify that the nose pads are appropriately positioned to bear a significant portion of the frame’s weight, which helps relieve the downward pull behind the ears. If your glasses slide down your nose, it indicates that the weight distribution is incorrect, forcing the temple tips to grip the ears too tightly to compensate.
For a long-term solution, a visit to a professional optician or optometrist is highly recommended. These specialists possess the training and tools necessary to safely adjust the frame material without causing damage. They can use specialized heating equipment to soften plastic or acetate frames, allowing them to mold the temple tips precisely to the shape of your ear’s curve. A professional fitting ensures the glasses are balanced across three contact points—the bridge of the nose and both ears—to evenly distribute the weight.
If your current frame design is problematic, the optician may suggest alternatives. These include frames made from lightweight materials like titanium or flexible memory metals. These materials naturally reduce the load placed on the contact points, minimizing pressure on the sensitive nerves. If the headaches persist even after a professional refitting, it is advisable to consult a physician to ensure the pain is not related to an underlying medical condition.