What Do Ringing In The Ears And Swollen Auricular Lymph Nodes Indicate?

Posted on Mon, 11 Sep 2017

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

Mon, 11 Sep 2017 Answered on

Wed, 4 Oct 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : I have slight ringing in the left ear and a little swelling/tenderness of what seems to be the auricular lymph node. The ringing has been going one for years and I have chronic allergies and sinus issues on the left side

I should clarify that it seems to be the left pre-auricular node

Answered by Dr. Lekshmi Rita Venugopal (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Possible middle ear infection (otitis media)

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for trusting HealthcareMagic for your health concern

Tender swollen pre auricular lymph node is suggestive of middle ear infection (otitis media).
People with allergies and chronic sinusitis are prone to bacterial infection of ear.
ENT examination can confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment is with antibiotics. Amoxicillin-clavulonic acid is a good initial choice antibiotic.
Please be advised to follow up with an ENT specialist.
Meanwhile, you can take Tylenol or Advil for pain.
Use saline nasal drops thrice daily to open up the nose and eustachian tube to enhance drainage.
Once the acute infection has subsided, an audiometric evaluation is needed for the evaluation of tinnitus.

Hope this answers your questions
Please address further questions here
Regards
Dr.Lekshmi

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T