Inner Ear Question

[Greedyfly]

I've been to ENT today as I've been having Pulsatile Tinnitus in long bouts, last time two months non stop. I've also noticed hearing loss on that ear which has been for a good year.

The specialist examined my ear and 'hoovered' some wax out. I get a lot of ear infections in my tinnitus ear and deep pain. When he was rooting around in there the same pain was present, the specialist told me that I have a bony mass in that ear and that is where he was when the pain occurred.

He said it was best left alone unless the infections continued, got worse.

Due to my tinnitus issues I am going for an MRI of my head to rule out anything sinister which apparently is unlikely. Hearing is normal in both ears but I do struggle to hear when there is a secondary noise.

My question is about the bony mass, do you have one? What could it be? I assume it's just something I was born with. Is it the cause of my infections? If so why? Why does it cause me so much pain on a regular basis? I'm concerned for my hearing later on.

Thanks

GF

[Sqad]

The bony mass is an osteoma.......very common and not at all dangerous.
It doe not need removing unless in exceptional circumstances of recurrent infections in the outer ear.

It has nothing to do with your pulsatile tinnitus.

Osteomas are common in people who regularly, or have regularly, swum in cold water.

[Greedyfly]

That's funny, he did ask if I swam a lot as a child. But I can't swim.

Thanks Sqad.

Will await the MRI which will no doubt be clear.