How to overcome earache causing ringing, itchy sore, and muffled hearing?

Question

Hi doctor,

I have had an earache for a few weeks with ringing, itchy, sore, and muffled hearing. Can someone explain what is happening with my ear drum? It is sore, and I keep getting throbbing pain on that side. Does it look like there is fluid or blood behind my ear drum? It is also itchy. I am taking Venlafaxine 150 mg. Please help.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern. There is a dark shadow behind the drum at the bottom of the picture (the attachments are removed to protect the patient's identity). The diagnosis depends on your history. Did you receive any trauma, like a slap on your ear, face, or head? Is your right ear auricle tender to touching or pressing? Do you suffer from hearing loss or buzzing sounds in your right ear? Did you have a common cold a few days ago? Regards.

Answer 2

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

The right half of the first picture (the attachments are removed to protect the patient's identity) shows a small linear dark mark which may be a perforation. Your words indicate the ear pain and buzzing sounds because of the slap. All you can do is keep your ear dry away from water, using an anti-inflammatory drug such as Ibuprofen 400 mg once daily plus an edematous drug like Alphentern three times daily for a week. Some investigations, like pure tone audiometry and tympanometry, can be performed after one week in case symptoms persist. I hope you find it helpful. Kind regards.