Ear and throat symptoms

[tiddles2]

Hi,
I have a feeling of pressure in both ears (more so in one side) reduction in hearing ability, numbness to head and part of face on one side, high pitch bleeping in ears and deep inner ear pain. I feel tired much of the time also. This has been going on for 4+ weeks. I have taken 2 different sets of antibiotics now with no impact also nasal spray (steroid). I am unable to pop my ears at all right from the start. I feel no dizziness. I had an ultrasound which detected multi-nodule goitres and  a barium swallow which showed oesophageal webbing ( these were before the ear problems presented) they were done because I have a persistent low grade sore throat and a feeling of a slight obstruction for 8+ months. I have just noticed red lumps on both sides of very back of tongue. Could the recent ear problems be related to this??

43 yr old otherwise healthy female

[Paderla Anitha, DNB]

Hello and hope you are doing well.

If there is no middle ear infection. The cause could be an inner ear problem with your symptoms of tinnitus and deafness. An ENT examination, auditory brainstem response (ABR), a computerized test of the hearing nerves and brain pathways and CT/MRI brain may be needed to diagnose the cause for your symptoms. So, please dont worry, its unlikely to be due to a tumor.

Hope this helped and do keep us posted.

[margypops]

I get similar ear problems at intervals , read my post on the one below ....

[tiddles2]

I visited the acute ent services dept. The doctor said that he did not believe there was a build up of fluid behind the eardrum due to infection as he said he would expect to see a bulging ear drum. I had hearing tests done which showed significant hearing loss however the doctor said 'acutely' they had nothing to offer as he was unsure as to the cause of the sudden partial hearing loss. He has referred me to the local ent dept for further investigation however when I asked him what he would expect this to entail he wouldn't be drawn on this..I am worried that in the absence of infection and any suggested explanations from this doctor that I may never get to the bottom of this. I fear permanent damage to my hearing the longer it is left untreated. I also fear what might be causing it i.e tumour, cancer? Although the doctor said he did not suspect that at this point? which he did not elaborate on.  

[Paderla Anitha, DNB]

Hello and hope you are doing well.

There are tubes called 'Eustachian  tubes' which connect the middle ear to the throat, this balances the air pressure in the ears. This tube can get  blocked due to infections of the throat, which can give lead to a feeling of fullness in the ears. This can also result in infection of the ears. The blocked ears can be opened up by the valsalva maneuver, where air is blown into the cheeks against a closed nostrils, this sometimes helps to open up the tubes. Steam inhalations and warm salt water gargles can help clear the tube. Please consult your family physician.  

Hope this helped and do keep us posted.