HomeAnswersOtolaryngology (E.N.T)ear painI have tinnitus with ear pain after waking up. Why?

What causes tinnitus with ear pain after waking up?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Divya Banu M

Published At December 31, 2019
Reviewed AtAugust 1, 2023

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Only when I wake up, I feel ear ache/pain, also pressure in my left ear, it only happens when I have been sleeping on the left ear. The ear ache/pain lingers for 5 minutes or so and fades away. It started 4 months ago, but seemed to go away for 1 month, but now I have had it again for the last 3 days. I did try and used some Cortisone cream in the ear canal before the pain went away last time, but not sure if this was just a coincidence. My doctor has examined the ear and said it looks normal, with no middle ear infection.

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

It is a rare case which I saw few times. It is caused by warming the auricle while sleeping on it. Use Corticosteroidand antibiotic cream when needed. Do not apply water for your ear during the time of pain.

Patient's Query

Thank you doctor, I can only get Hydrocortisone 1 % cream over-the-counter I think, is that sufficient to use?

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Yes, it is sufficient for now but if the pain continues for a whole day all over 24 hours without any improvement you should use antibiotic cream besides Hydrocortisone.

Patient's Query

Thank you doctor,

I think I have some mild tinnitus/ringing in both ears. I only can notice it when the room is completely in silence. Would this and the ear ache when waking up suggest anything else?

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Is the tinnitus pulsating like heart beating or continuous noise? Do you hear well? Do you smoke or drink alcohol?

Patient's Query

Thank you doctor,

It is continuous, but mild, seems to be heard in both ears when the room is in silence. I hear well, with no problems. I do not drink and gave up smoking 5 years ago.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Great. Now you need to perform a tympanometry and pure tone audiometry to assess the condition of your middle ears and your cochlear nerves. Mostly it can be a tinnitus caused by mild sensorineural hearing loss but investigation are needed to confirm the diagnosis or discovering the exact cause.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Mohammed Osama Aboborda
Dr. Mohammed Osama Aboborda

Otolaryngology (E.N.T)

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