Dear Doctor Dankle,
For the past eight months I have suffered from constant tinnitus and intermittent ear pain. The GP diagnosed otis media and after antibiotics failed I was referred to an ENT. After a three week wait for an appointment the ENT could not find any otis media or anything else.
The tinnitus has continued with the intermittent ear pain. For
the past couple of months my ears at times become bright red (sometimes
left ear, sometimes right or both) My GP witnessed this and said it was
vasodilation but did not know what this meant. Do you have any
suggestions? This has me very concerned but I don't know what I should do
about this?
anonymous
Reply -------------------------
The complaint of constant tinnitus and intermittent ear pain for many months could have a number of different possible causes. A few of the possible causes include: 1)eustachian tube dysfunction - this can lead to abnormal air pressure in the middle ear and cause both discomfort as well as subtle alterations in the quality of hearing including tinnitus; 2) myofascial pain syndrome or a form of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome whereby there is abnormal tension and/or inflammation in the muscles of chewing; 3) other inflammatory conditions such as rheumatologic conditions could conceivably cause such a constellation of symptoms.
It would be important to know whether the symptoms are experienced in just one ear or both. Also, I assume that the "redness" you are describing is seen on the outer ear or auricle. Finally, you do not mention whether a hearing test or tympanogram was done, both of which would be helpful in ruling out eustachian tube dysfunction.
If the problem persists, I would suggest a follow-up examination, when symptoms are present, by the ENT specialist with consideration being given to possible TMJ or rheumatologic causes if no obvious localized ear abnormality was seen.
--
Steve Dankle, MD
Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Milwaukee, Wis
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