Ear Problems and Injuries, Age 12 and Older

Emergencies

Yes	Do you have any of the following symptoms that require emergency treatment? Call 911 or other emergency services immediately.

• Sudden hearing loss occurs with other symptoms, such as:
  • Facial droop.
  • Numbness or paralysis on all or one side of the face or body.
  • Eye or vision problems, including blurred or double vision or the inability to see out of one eye.
  • Slurred speech, inability to speak, or difficulty understanding speech.
  • Difficulty standing or walking (ataxia).
  • Severe nausea or vomiting.
  • Dizziness (vertigo).
  • Sudden ringing or buzzing in the ears (tinnitus).

Check Your Symptoms

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, click on the "Yes" in front of the question for information about how soon to see a health professional.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

If you have the following symptom, evaluate that symptom first.

• Drainage from the ear occurs following a head injury: Go to the topic Head Injury, Age 4 and Older.

Yes	Have you had an injury to your ear?
Yes	Do you think you have an ear infection or other problems from an ear infection?
Yes	Have you had a sudden hearing loss?
Yes	Do you have drainage from your ear that you do not think is earwax?
Yes	Do you still have symptoms after 48 hours of treatment with antibiotics?
Yes	Has hearing loss come on slowly and not gotten better?

Other Symptoms to Watch For

Do you have any of the following symptoms?

• An object in the ear: Go to the topic Objects in the Ear.
• Ringing in the ears: Go to the topic Ringing in the Ears (Tinnitus).
• Earwax: Go to the topic Earwax.
• Dizziness: Go to the topic Dizziness: Lightheadedness and Vertigo.
• A cut on or in the ear: Go to the topic Cuts.
• Frostbite of the outer ear: Go to the topic Cold Temperature Exposure.
• A burn to the outer ear: Go to the topic Burns.
• Skin changes on your ears: Go to the topic Skin Changes.

If a visit to a health professional is not needed immediately, see the Home Treatment section for self-care information.

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Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS	Last Updated: February 13, 2008
Medical Review:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine Donald R. Mintz, MD - Otolaryngology
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