DIAGNOSIS CHECKLIST
for Ear sounds

Why: to determine if acute or chronic.

Why: e.g. hearing inappropriate sounds such as ringing, buzzing, humming, roaring or similar noises in the ears is quite common and is called tinnitus.

Why: if you and other people can hear the noise, this is unusual but may suggest a glomus tumor (a globular tumor arising from the vessels in the middle ear) which cause a pulsatile tinnitus), arteriovenous malformations (abnormal communication between arteries and veins, carotid stenosis (narrowing of the carotid artery due to atherosclerosis), aneurysms (circumscribed dilatation of an artery), significant anemia, a patent eustachian tube or myoclonus alternate contraction and relaxation of a muscle).

Why: unilateral tinnitus is more likely to be associated with a more serious disorder such as Meniere's disease, acoustic neuroma (benign tumor of the 8th cranial nerve), cholesteatoma or vascular disease.

Why: e.g. sore throat, runny nose, sinusitis - may suggest acute otitis media.

Why: may suggest whiplash, concussion or trauma to the middle or inner ear.

Why: may aggravate tinnitus.

Why: e.g. neurofibromatosis type 2 may have tumors of the 8th cranial nerve; chronic renal failure may predispose to otosclerosis; hypertension may cause tinnitus.

Why: some drugs may cause tinnitus e.g. aminoglycoside , tetracycline and clindamycin antibiotics; tricyclic antidepressants; aspirin; quinine.

Why: caffeine may aggravate tinnitus.

Why: may aggravate tinnitus.

Why: e.g. marijuana may cause tinnitus.

Why: may suggest Meniere's disease, acoustic neuroma, cholesteatoma, multiple sclerosis, basilar artery insufficiency and brain stem tumors.

Why: may suggest presbyacusis, noise-induced hearing loss, otosclerosis, Meniere's disease, acoustic neuroma, fracture of the petrous temporal bone, ototoxicity from drugs.

Why: e.g. nausea, vomiting, tinnitus, vertigo, sensorineural deafness.

Why: e.g. infection often follows upper respiratory tract infection, ear pain, fever, sensation of pressure in the ear, hearing loss, drum may perforate with subsequent relief of pain and fever.

Why: e.g. often occurs in ears that are itchy due to eczema, dermatitis or psoriasis or in those that swim; pain, discharge, pressure on the ear lobe causes pain.