Ear Problems And Injuries, Age 12 And Older: Check Your Symptoms

Content provided by Healthwise

Check Your Symptoms

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, click on the "Yes" in front of the question for information about how soon to see a health professional.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

If you have the following symptom, evaluate that symptom first.

• Drainage from the ear occurs following a head injury: Go to the topic Head Injury, Age 4 and Older.

Yes

Have you had an injury to your ear?

Yes

Do you think you have an ear infection or other problems from an ear infection?

Yes

Have you had a sudden hearing loss?

Yes

Do you have drainage from your ear that you do not think is earwax?

Yes

Do you still have symptoms after 48 hours of treatment with antibiotics?

Yes

Has hearing loss come on slowly and not gotten better?

Other Symptoms to Watch For

Do you have any of the following symptoms?

• An object in the ear: Go to the topic Objects in the Ear.
• Ringing in the ears: Go to the topic Ringing in the Ears (Tinnitus).
• Earwax: Go to the topic Earwax.
• Dizziness: Go to the topic Dizziness: Lightheadedness and Vertigo.
• A cut on or in the ear: Go to the topic Cuts.
• Frostbite of the outer ear: Go to the topic Cold Temperature Exposure.
• A burn to the outer ear: Go to the topic Burns.
• Skin changes on your ears: Go to the topic Skin Changes.

If a visit to a health professional is not needed immediately, see the Home Treatment section for self-care information.

Last updated:	February 13, 2008
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, Donald R. Mintz, MD - Otolaryngology
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer