Signs of nerve pain in the ear

Nerve pain in the ear is not a strange condition in today's life. The cause of pain may be ear neuritis or nerve pain 5, 7, 9, 10,...

Ear nerve pain is a symptom stemming from the following underlying causes:
1.1 Ear neuritis Inflammation of the ear neuritis (inflammation of the auditory nerve - cranial nerve 8) occurs in about 6% world population, most commonly in men over 55 years old. The auditory nerve is one of 12 pairs of cranial nerves, located in the inner ear and responsible for transmitting nerve impulses between the brain and the vestibule. It ensures the body's ability to hear and keep balance.
Most cases of auditory neuritis are caused by viruses (Herpes, measles, influenza, mumps, hepatitis, polio, Rubella,...) In addition, auditory neuritis can also be caused by a virus. caused by otitis media, meningitis or auditory neuroma. Besides, in some cases, the ear nerve can be poisoned due to the influence of toxins, alcohol, tobacco, heavy metals,...
1.2 Nerve pain 5, 7 , 9, 10 Pain may be conveyed to the ear through certain nerves entering the ear from areas of head and neck disease. The location of ear pain can guide the patient to know certain diseases in the head - neck area. Specifically:
5th nerve: Pain sensation in front of the ear. May be due to dental problems, temporomandibular joint, infection or parotid gland tumor; 7th nerve: Pain behind the ear. May be caused by problems such as knee pain or cerebellar angina; Nerve 9: Sensation of pain deep in the ear. May be caused by problems such as VA, tonsillitis, sinusitis, throat tumor, eustachian tube dysfunction; Nerve 10: Pain in the outer ear canal. It can be caused by problems such as tonsillitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, or a tumor in the throat.

If left ear nerve pain or right ear nerve pain is caused by auditory neuritis, the patient often has symptoms such as hearing loss, tinnitus, increased blood pressure, severe ear pain. , difficulty seeing, loss of body balance, decreased concentration, sudden dizziness, nausea and vomiting, loss of orientation and difficulty understanding other people's words,...
Depends on the severity and cause cause of the disease that the symptoms of nerve pain in the ear can manifest differently. Therefore, when seeing some of the above symptoms, patients should see a specialist for examination and accurate diagnosis.

Not all ear pain is caused by an ear problem, but it can be caused by other problems in the head and neck area. Therefore, when having ear pain, the patient needs to monitor and answer the doctor's questions such as: When did the pain start, how long it lasted, intermittently or continuously, specific pain location ( before, in or behind the ear), is there a swallowing disorder, is there any dental disease?...
The patient will be examined in the head - neck area, including examining the oral cavity, nasal cavity, cervical spine and temporomandibular joint. The doctor will examine the tonsils and the base of the tongue to see if there is a problem here that is causing the ear pain. Besides, the doctor can perform flexible endoscopy to examine the patient's nasal cavity, nasopharynx, oral cavity and larynx. Finally, MRI and CT scans can be performed for the most accurate diagnosis.
Because ear nerve pain can be caused by inflammation of the ear nerve (nerve 8) or other nerves, the patient needs to go to a specialist ear for early detection of hidden diseases and have a timely treatment plan.
Currently, Vinmec International General Hospital is one of the leading addresses for examination and treatment of common ear, nose and throat diseases, head and neck tumors or congenital malformations of the ear, nose and throat area. with the best internal and external surgical methods. Coming to Vinmec International General Hospital, patients will receive a direct, dedicated and professional examination from a team of qualified and experienced medical staff.