What Causes Ear Pain, Numbness In Forehead And Vertigo?

Posted on Sun, 21 Dec 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 21 Dec 2014 Answered on

Mon, 19 Jan 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I have ear pain sometimes sharp and then ache, along with a numbness in forehead that comes and goes and vertigo. Could this be from a fall I had about 18 months ago. I had a concusion at that time. No ear infection according to Dr. and a CT.

Answered by Dr. Luchuo Engelbert Bain (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
No worries, Exclude tumor, see ENT specialist, new MRI and CT scan

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks to the query,

It would be reassuring if an Ear, Nose, Throat (ENT) specialist did a proper examination and thinks there is no ear infection.

Ear infections however are not the only cause of pain in the ears. I think it is important that you get another consultation again. I am afraid this is unlikely to be due to the concussion.

The fact that the ear ache is associated to vertigo deserves a keener attention. When the nerve conducting nerve impulses to the brain with regards to hearing if touched, sensations and the pain can be experienced. The vertigo could result from such an affection. It might be worthwhile to remember that the ear is the centre for hearing, balance and coordination. It is important to rule out conditions that present as such, the most common being a tumors of the vestibular nerves. Other conditions that could require the attention of the neurologist could cause this, but excluding the tumor remains a priority.

I suggest booking an appointment with an ENT specialist, and getting an oriented CT scan and MRI done.

Thanks and kind regards as I wish you the best of health.

Dr Bain

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar