5 months after radiation therapy on my face I start losing my hearing in one ear

[Dilly1959]

I had radiation therapy on right temple for a squamous cancer that had gone into the nerves on my face. 5 months later I noticed that I wasn't hearing as well and that my vision was worse. Then, I started having this sickly sweet smell in my nose that soon turned into a burnt smell that I just can't seem to shake. I can't taste many foods now, only sweet and spicy foods have any amount of flavor and many foods that I have always loved literally make me nauseous to smell, as they literally stink to me now. I've had several dizzy spells and have struggled with being very tired. My head feels like it has been filled with water and my ears feel full as well. Also having problems with neck pain that I have attributed to a previous back surgery, but I'm beginning to wonder about now. Also having frequent sharp pains in my ears, especially the one that has lost the most hearing. I've had a MRI and the doctor said everything looks fine. Am seeing a ENT now and he said I had no infections, but after audiology test I did have a distinct loss of hearing in my left ear. He is doing another CT in a couple of weeks. From what I have read, this could be anything from a tumor to inner ear infection to sinus issues. Just don't understand why it is taking so many doctors, so long to come up with a diagnosis and treatment.

[purple1234567]

I am not any where close to an expert on this, but I do know that radiation can really mess with you for a while after and doctors are not always able to quick figure out where issues that arise after radiation are coming from.  It sounds like you have a team of doctors who are following up and exploring avenues, so that's good.  It's hard not knowing what the cause is of this stuff and hard not knowing how to deal with it- I hope you are able to get some answers soon!