Expert: Dina Q Goldin, Ph.D. - 12/15/2008

Question
I have had ringing in my left ear for over a year now, which has become constant.  At the same time I have have intermittent facial numbness over the area from under my left eye spanning across the top of my nose to under my right eye. I have headaches inbetween my eyes frequently, and have had several headaches (about 5 now) where I have woken up with pain so severe on movement of my head that it hurt to swallow. These headaches would last most of the day without relief from Motrin, and then they would subside.  I am worried. I have seen an ear, nose and throat doctor who says that he thinks it is all allergy related. Should I get another opinion? From a neurologist?

Answer
The fact that the ringing is one-sided, and that there is facial numbness on the same side, suggests that it is nerve-related rather than something like an allergy, which should affect both sides equally. You should definitely get another opinion from a neurologist; find someone with a lot of experience in skull problems, including benign tumors.  Insist to have this problem diagnosed properly, since it could be something serious that should not be left too long.