23 Aug Numbness in the ear: What could be behind it?

Posted at 08:50h in ENT, ENT practice, sudden deafness, Hearing loss, Dizziness, Tinnitus by Goethe10 practice clinic

We usually take hearing sounds and music clearly and without restriction for granted. However, it often happens quickly and something changes in our hearing perception, which can be very disturbing and frightening. This includes, for example, numbness in the ear. This gives the impression that part of the ear or even the entire ear is anaesthetised, as if cotton wool had been inserted into it. This impression is reinforced by the feeling that sounds are coming from far away. Numbness in the ear can be a warning sign. How they can occur and when you should contact our ENT practice in Frankfurt we explain in this article.

Possible causes of numbness in the ear

Cold

A comparatively banal cause of numbness in the ear is the common cold. The middle ear is not properly ventilated due to blockage of the nose and possibly also the sinuses. This can also lead to an accumulation of fluid and/or inflammation, resulting in discomfort.

Earwax plug

A feeling of pressure, ringing in the ears, hearing loss, dizziness or deafness can have another simple cause: An unusual build-up of earwax at the end of the ear canal, which can form a compact mass. This can adhere to the eardrum or block the ear. If we remove the blockage, there is usually an immediate improvement.

Otitis media

Otitis media occurs when a virus or bacterium causes an infection in the middle ear. In this case, the ear becomes blocked with mucus and/or fluid. This is accompanied by symptoms such as tingling and numbness in the ear region, nausea and/or fever. Otitis media can be very painful.

Problems with the Eustachian tube

The Eustachian tube is a canal that connects the middle ear with the upper part of the throat. It also controls the pressure in the middle ear. If the Eustachian tube narrows or becomes blocked, e.g. due to inflammation, an inflammation of the middle ear can develop with all the associated symptoms, including numbness.

Migraine

Migraine attacks are severe headaches that occur in attacks - usually on one side of the head only. This is a neurological disorder. Movement, light and noise exacerbate the pain. The attacks can be accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Some patients suffer from a special form of migraine and have an aura. This refers to symptoms/neurological deficits that precede the headache. These can include loss of vision, numbness in the cheek or ear, speech disorders and signs of paralysis. Although migraines cannot be completely cured, they can be treated well.

Ear canal exostosis

With ear canal exostosis, water accumulates in the ear. Bacteria and fungi can proliferate in it. This causes the external auditory canal to become inflamed, which is accompanied by pain, redness and numbness in the ear. This is also referred to as surfer's ear.

Circulatory disorders

Also in the Ear there may be circulatory problems. This results in a dull feeling and the ear feels numb - similar to a foot that has fallen asleep. The blood vessels that supply the ear are very fine. Accordingly, they are very sensitive and a disturbance can quickly become noticeable. In addition to deafness, there are often other symptoms such as hearing loss, ear pressure, ringing in the ears, dizziness and nausea. However, it is usually difficult to determine the actual causes of the circulatory disorder in the ears. In many cases, various factors interact, such as deposits in the arteries. If blood fats and calcium clog the blood vessels, the fine branches in the ear (and other areas) cannot be sufficiently supplied with blood. However, skull injuries or blockages in the cervical spine can also impair the proper blood supply to the ear. Stress can be another cause. General risk factors are advanced age, high or low blood pressure, diabetes, high blood lipid levels, obesity, smoking and frequent alcohol consumption.

sudden deafness

Ear infarction, more commonly known as sudden hearing loss, can also be associated with circulatory disorders. This causes hearing loss in the inner ear, which can lead to temporary or permanent hearing loss. Typically, sudden hearing loss is accompanied by a dull, furry feeling in the ear - as if cotton wool were stuck in it. Tinnitus can also occur. The finding must be taken seriously, but is not an emergency.

Treatment of ear numbness in our ENT practice in Frankfurt

The specific treatment for ear numbness depends on the cause.

If you are generally not feeling well, the situation with your ears worries you and you cannot link the complaints to a direct cause, then please make an appointment at our practice. On the basis of a careful examination, we can, for example, use otoscopy or the Hearing and dizziness diagnostics get an overview of the health of your ears. Radiological examination methods (MRI or CT) may be required.

We initiate treatment based on the results of the examination. This may, for example, consist of administering medication such as antibiotics or cortisone. At our ENT practice in Frankfurt, we also offer the special Hearing loss and tinnitus therapy on. Sometimes the support of other medical colleagues or physiotherapists is also required.

ENT Frankfurt: Dr Thomas Fischer & Dr Albrecht Linke

Your specialists for ear, nose and throat medicine, who will provide you with professional and individualised advice, examinations and treatment in all matters relating to ENT medicine, functional plastic surgery and the aesthetic treatment of changes to the facial skin.

Our news articles are prepared for you to the best of our knowledge and belief and are intended for general education. They are in no way a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis and treatment and are not intended to encourage self-diagnosis or self-treatment. Please always contact your ENT specialist in Frankfurt directly if you have any health complaints!

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ENT, sudden deafness, Hearing loss, Otitis media, Ear specialist, Earache, Ringing in the ears, Hearing loss, Tinnitus