tinitus and face numbnes

[Mhealleni]

i was asulted by thiefs..they hit me with a rock behind my head on the right side close to the eye.i was unconscious and they took my staff..my right ear started having tinittus,and slowly afta a day blood went to my ryt ear, i culdnt here wit my right ear,,til now..then afta 3 days my right side of the face is not functioning well,like,i cnt wink wit rite eye,whn i mak my lips to kiss th ryt part  of th lips stays behnd,my ryt eye waters alot, my mouth wont open wide on th right side, i strugle with eating...what is wrng wit me?.it has been a week and 4 days nw.

[Lauren de Moreno, MD]

I think you may have sustained a temporal bone fracture which is the bone around the ear that houses the hearing and balance organs.  The nerve that controls facial motion also runs through this bone.  This is the facial nerve.  For this type of trauma, we encourage patients to seek emergency care as soon as possible because there could be unrecognized injuries to the brain or the spinal cord as well.  For the lack of movement to your face, this is typically treated with oral steroid medication.  In most cases, this will help decrease inflammation around the facial nerve and function will return.  However, while the nerve is recovering, you must take extra steps to protect the eye.  If you are unable to get the eye to close, you will need to make sure the eye is getting sufficient protection and moisture.  Without that, your eye will dry out and this could lead to blindness.  I would recommend that you use a piece of tape when you sleep at night to keep the eyelid closed over the eye.  You should also use artificial tears to the affected eye every hour while awake and apply eye lubrication (Lacrilube) before you tape the eye closed at night.  Make sure you follow good oral hygiene as it is hard to clear food particles when the lips do not move well and this can lead to cavities.  I would also recommend an audiogram (hearing test) as well as a CAT scan of the temporal bones for further evaluation of the injuries.  This can be arranged at an ENT clinic.

[Paderla Anitha, DNB]

Hello and hope you are doing well.

Due to the injury there has been damage to the facial nerve. And after an injury if there is bleeding it can be due to a ruptured tympanic membrane( ear drum) or it can also be due to an injury to the outer canal and sometimes due to head injuries causing temporal bone fractures in case of blunt injury. As it has affected your hearing also I would advise you to go the ER for proper evaluation.

Hope this helped and do keep us posted.