Another effect of sleep deprivation that I have felt is that when sleep deprived, the body's tollerance for alcohol, (and probably other drugs), is much lowered, so a small amount of alcohol will have more effect on you when you're very tired.
Mastoiditis can cause pain behind the ear and down the neck. MedlinePlus states that mastoiditis is an infection of the mastoid bone of the skull, which is located directly behind the pinna or the outside portion of the ear.hoto Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images. Numerous conditions can cause pain behind the ear and down the neck. According to MedlinePlus, a publication of the National Institutes of Health, neck pain can travel to other parts of the body, such as the shoulder, arm and head.
Neuralgia, pain caused by irritation of the nerves in the ear. Pain from a sore throat or a problem with the jaw joints called temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ) may be felt in the ear. When too much wax blocks the ear, you may feel pressure, but this usually doesn't cause pain.