We all know the feeling: your nose is blocked, and then your ear starts to ache too. Earache is not a condition in itself, but a symptom that can occur during a cold, among other things.[1] This is where infrared light comes in: the heat of an infrared lamp can make the pressure in your ear easier to bear as an accompanying measure.
Here you can find out what infrared light is used for and how to use our Beurer IL 50 infrared heat lamp correctly on your ear. Its timer with automatic switch-off limits each session to 1 to 15 minutes. And you can tilt the shade continuously from 0 to 50 degrees to position it just as you like.
What kinds of pain infrared light is used for
Infrared light from an infrared lamp is used as an accompanying treatment for ear, nose and throat conditions, for example acute rhinitis, in other words a cold. This is exactly what our IL 50 is intended for. For your face and ear, one thing matters most: you need to be able to point the lamp precisely and limit the time.
Why does your ear hurt during a cold? When the membranes lining the ear and the Eustachian tube swell up, the fluid in the middle ear can no longer drain off. The fluid builds up in the middle ear and pushes on the eardrum, which can be painful.[1]
Heat on the ear is a familiar remedy: placing a warm flannel on the ear, for example, is one of the things you can do to treat earache yourself.[2] An infrared lamp brings this heat to your ear without a flannel and without any preparation, so you can simply sit down, put on the protective eyewear and set the time.
What heat does in the tissue
With the IL 50, infrared light conveys heat to the body. As a result, blood supply to the irradiated skin increases and the metabolic rate in the temperature field also increases. Nothing more happens, and we promise nothing more.
On your ear, this means: the heat works where you feel it, on the skin around your ear and cheek. This can feel soothing, especially when a cold is pressing on your face.
What you can realistically expect
Realistically, infrared light can make the feeling of pressure and tension easier to bear when you have a cold. The heat does not fight an infection, and it does not replace treatment. So infrared light is a companion, not a remedy for the cause of your earache. Once you know this, you can use the heat exactly as intended: as a calm, soothing break for your ear and face on a day when you have a cold and are staying at home anyway.
The IL 50 is intended for self-treatment at home and is suitable for all adults who have no sensory impairment and who are fully conscious. It is not intended for use by children.
Earache is particularly common in children. In babies, infants and toddlers, colds sometimes spread to the ear and lead to a middle ear infection.[3] So if your child has earache, take them to see a GP.
Distance, duration and eye protection
Distance, duration and eye protection decide whether the heat on your ear stays pleasant. This is how to use the IL 50:
- Before switching on, remove metallic objects such as necklaces, jewellery or piercings from the area to be treated. They can heat up significantly.
- Place the device on a stable, even surface. Do not lay it down or set it up at an angle.
- Put on the supplied protective eyewear, always directly over your eyes and not over another pair of glasses. Never look directly into the infrared light without protective eyewear.
- Use the time selection button to choose a treatment time of 1 to 15 minutes. Then tilt the shade towards your ear.
The right distance
There is no fixed distance in centimetres. With the IL 50, the distance depends on your individual sensitivity to heat and on the type of treatment you have in mind. Choose it so that the heat feels pleasant. If it feels too warm, move further away.
The greater the distance, the larger the treatment area and the lower the heat. If you notice tingling, itching, burning or too much heat, stop the treatment.
The right duration
- Start with a shorter treatment time.
- Do not use the IL 50 continuously for longer than 15 minutes. Allow it to cool before using it again.
Prolonged use may cause skin burns. That is why the IL 50 switches off automatically once the set treatment time has elapsed. The fan then keeps running for 5 minutes to cool the device down. Do not unplug the device during this time.
Where the limits are
Whether you can use infrared light on your ear depends on your health, so check this first. Do not use the IL 50 in the following cases:
- with acute rheumatoid arthritis, infectious arthritis or circulatory disorders,
- with decompensated cardiac insufficiency or severe cardiac arrhythmia,
- after an acute or recent myocardial infarction,
- with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, hyperthyroidism or adrenal insufficiency,
- with infections, open wounds or severe swelling,
- during radiotherapy, including three months after treatment,
- with sensation disorders in the treatment area,
- on children and elderly people,
- after taking medication or drinking alcohol,
- on people who are insensitive to heat.
Heat sensitivity can be lessened or increased, for example, in people with diabetes, paraplegia, drowsiness, dementia, problems with concentration, skin alterations due to illness or scarred skin.
If you have an implant, do not operate the IL 50, particularly if it is located in the area to be treated. If you have any doubts, consult your doctor. If you are pregnant, do not operate the device near your abdomen.
Medication, cosmetics or food can lead to a hypersensitive or allergic skin reaction. If this happens, stop the treatment immediately. You will find all the information on your device in the supplied instructions for use.
When to seek medical advice
Seek medical advice as soon as your earache is severe or your hearing gets worse, because symptoms like these should be checked by a doctor.[4]
The same goes for a high fever, very bad or worsening symptoms, chest pain, shortness of breath or problems breathing.[3]
If your symptoms are not relieved after 6 to 8 sessions with the IL 50, stop using it. Then talk to your doctor.
The Beurer IL 50 for use on the ear
For heat on the ear, our Beurer IL 50 infrared heat lamp is a very good choice. It has exactly what the head area needs, because you can tilt its shade until the heat falls pleasantly on your ear and cheek. Its timer with automatic switch-off ends the session after the set time. A treatment time display and a safety switch-off are built in.
The IL 50 is a medical device with a ceramic glass filter disc and 100% UV protection. The IL 50 comes with protective eyewear, which complies with EN ISO 16321-1:2022. Protective eyewear is also supplied with all other Beurer infrared lamps. We give a 3-year guarantee on the device.
It has also done well in testing. In COMPUTER BILD / BILD, the IL 50 was named test winner, with a rating of 1.8 "good" and 1st place out of 4. The test is called "Rotlichtlampen im Test: Welche Infrarotwärme wirklich hilft" and was published on 3 March 2026.
Our tip: get your IL 50 ready before the cold season starts, so it is there when your ear feels under pressure. View the Beurer IL 50
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of pain does infrared light help with?
Infrared light is used as an accompanying treatment for ear, nose and throat conditions such as a cold. With a cold, the heat can make pressure and tension easier to bear without fighting the infection. The Beurer IL 50 is intended for this accompanying use in adults.
Does infrared light help with earache?
For cold-related pressure in the ear, infrared light can be a pleasant companion for adults. It does not treat the cause of the pain. Have severe earache and poor hearing checked by a doctor.
How long should you use infrared light on your ear?
Start with a shorter time and do not use it for longer than 15 minutes at a time. With the Beurer IL 50, you set 1 to 15 minutes, and it then switches off automatically.
