Expert: Harriet B Jacobster, Au.D. - 5/19/2008

Question
I've had cervical neck problems including c3-c4 herniated discs, stenosis, arthritis.I also have documented TMJ bilaterally. In the past 6 months, I've had "attacks" of ear pressure/fullness followed by severe tinnitus similar to cochlear hydrops. The tinnitus has been constant over the 6 month period but much less intense. I'm on a low salt diet but continue to have pressure/pulling sensation by the outer ear canal (always in the same spot and ear) that is very disturbing. It rarely goes away. What is this? I find an association with my neck and TMJ. Is this possible or is it the cochlear hydrops? I also have some "autonomic" symptoms of ear redness flushing burning alternating with extreme coldness of the ears. What is going on?

Answer
Hi Liz,
Without actually examining you, I really cannot answer what is going on.  Have you been evaluated by an ENT and an audiologist? If not, this should be the first thing to do.  Next, your symptoms fit any number of conditions.  Both neck problems and TMJ can cause aural fullness and tinnitus: so can hydrops cause these symptoms. So can facial nerve problems cause these symptoms as well as vascular compression.  You need to have a full audiometric workup, a tinnitus evaluation and an Electrocochleogram (ECoG) which can diagnose hydrops.
Hope this helps.
Harriet B. Jacobster, AuD
Board Certified Doctor of Audiology