Expert: Harriet B Jacobster, Au.D. - 9/2/2009

Question
Three months ago, I had a face lift. After surgery I woke up feeling great.  But - I turned on the TV in the hospital and the sound was garbled.  Awful sound. SO I called the nurses station and nurse came it and  I told her about the TV that it had a bad connection or something the sound as garbled.  She said well I change out the speaker which she did.  The same thing resulted.  
So I guessed they had dotty equipment and turned it off and went to sleep. Next day I was released from ten hospital and went home. Sat down my recliner and turned on the T.V.  Boom!  it was the same sound.  And when I sing or play the piano it is extremely disturbing with a horrible sound to my left ear?>  Hope I am making sence.  I have seen my ENT and he placed a tube in my left ear. o help what so ever.  Now he is at a loss and really does not know how to treat me as I have no pain, no ear wax, and he says my ears look normal.  SO - He is sugesting steriods for treatment.   What are your thoughts on this?  I am desperate. WHen it is quite the ears to not roar.  Also when I clear my throat the roar (like a muffler or freigt train) sounds off.  Can you or someone help me?

Answer
Hi Joyce,
Unfortunately, the symptoms you describe are not all that uncommon after a facelift.  It is very possible that your facial nerve is irritated and that may be causing your symptoms.

You may want to return to your surgeon and discuss this with him.  Sometimes steroids will help the irritation in the nerve.  Sometimes it just takes time for the nerve to heal.  

Hope this helps.

Dr. Harriet B. Jacobster, AuD
Board Certified in Audiology