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What Causes Fluttering Sensation In Left Ear?

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Posted on Tue, 2 Sep 2014
Question: I have a fluttering in my left ear since I had a case of bells palsy in march. It only flutters when clench my jaw or sometimes when I touch the outside of my ear of side of head around ear. No pain just a fluttering. I am also lightheaded and feel slightly off balance with tinnitus that is mostly in left ear but is at times in right and others both,hearing is fine. Dizziness is when walking or moving around,fine while lying down. I do have some pain in my jaw on left side when extending lower jaw or opening mouth wide. To ad my facial palsy is about 85 percent recovered from bells,just some tightness, and weakness in mouth on bells side,but much better,I can now whistle and spit after brushing teeth,but since bells have developed dry eyes,the tinnitus started about 1 month ago. Is the dizziness,tinnitus and fluttering complications from bells or another nerve problem?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Rajkishori Godhi (25 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
bell's palsy not related to complaints

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to healthcaremagic,

Bell's palsy does not cause tinnitus or fluttering or dizziness.

From your complaints it appears that you have 2 separate problems going on.

The pain in the jaw on openiing the jaw wide or extending is because of temporomandibular (TM) joint problems. The TM joint is a joint between the lower jaw and the skull. Inflamation in this joint can give rise to pain on clenching, sounds in the jaw on clenching or biting.

The tinnitus and dizziness is due to some problems in the inner most portion of the ear. You have to see an ENT specialist. You will need examination of the ear and also hearing tests.

For the jaw related problems, you will have to follow some simple measures which are as follows -
1) Do not open your mouth wide.
2) Avoid side to side movements of the jaw. It puts a lot of pressure on the joint.
3) Soft diet for 7 days. Avoid all kinds of hard and chewy food.
4) While yawning, support your lower jaw with your hand.

Regards,
Dr Rajkishori Godhi.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Rajkishori Godhi (10 minutes later)
Fluttering has only been present since the bells,the tinnitus j(high pitched ringing) started about 1 month ago and usually gets worse as day goes on,some evenings and during night and early morning it is almost gone. I had a hearing test back in April with an ent and it was normal. Is the fluttering I get another issue?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Rajkishori Godhi (13 hours later)
Brief Answer:
more details about fluttering

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Fluttering on clenching is not because of bell's. It is related to the TM joint.

Please give me some more details about fluttering so that I can understand the problem better.

Since the tinnitus has started recently you will need a repeat examination of the ear and tests as well. Dizziness and tinnitus occur together in a condition called a s meniere's disease. It needs to be ruled out by an ENT specialist.

Regards,
Dr Rajkishori Godhi.
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Rajkishori Godhi

ENT Specialist

Practicing since :2003

Answered : 708 Questions

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What Causes Fluttering Sensation In Left Ear?

Brief Answer: bell's palsy not related to complaints Detailed Answer: Hello and welcome to healthcaremagic, Bell's palsy does not cause tinnitus or fluttering or dizziness. From your complaints it appears that you have 2 separate problems going on. The pain in the jaw on openiing the jaw wide or extending is because of temporomandibular (TM) joint problems. The TM joint is a joint between the lower jaw and the skull. Inflamation in this joint can give rise to pain on clenching, sounds in the jaw on clenching or biting. The tinnitus and dizziness is due to some problems in the inner most portion of the ear. You have to see an ENT specialist. You will need examination of the ear and also hearing tests. For the jaw related problems, you will have to follow some simple measures which are as follows - 1) Do not open your mouth wide. 2) Avoid side to side movements of the jaw. It puts a lot of pressure on the joint. 3) Soft diet for 7 days. Avoid all kinds of hard and chewy food. 4) While yawning, support your lower jaw with your hand. Regards, Dr Rajkishori Godhi.