The dangers of ear stones

Dec 02, 2022 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Xu Gang

Introduction

Ear stones refer to cerumen. When cerumen becomes impacted, it can cause various problems such as ear canal itching, fullness, hearing loss, tinnitus, and pain. Blockage or complete occlusion of the ear canal by cerumen leads to discomfort and a sensation of fullness in the ear, along with itching. Swollen cerumen obstructing the ear canal results in unilateral hearing loss. Persistent buzzing or low-pitched tinnitus may occur. Pain or a feeling of pressure in the ear can be triggered during eating or talking.

Ear stones usually refer to cerumen. When cerumen becomes impacted, it generally causes adverse effects such as ear canal itching and fullness, hearing loss, tinnitus, and pain.

1. Itching and fullness in the ear canal

When the ear canal is blocked or completely sealed by cerumen, it can lead to a sensation of fullness and discomfort in the ear, accompanied by intense itching inside the ear.

2. Hearing loss

When cerumen swells and blocks the ear canal, it may cause sudden hearing loss in one ear.

3. Tinnitus

Irritation of the eardrum by cerumen can lead to persistent buzzing sounds or low-pitched tinnitus in the patient.

4. Pain

Cerumen impaction often causes ear pain or discomfort while eating or speaking. When water enters the ear, the cerumen absorbs water and swells, resulting in a feeling of pressure and pain.

After cerumen impaction occurs, prompt and effective treatment should be administered according to the severity of the condition. This helps prevent delayed treatment that could lead to hearing damage or complications such as external auditory canal dermatitis or otitis media.

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Will tinnitus disappear after removal of ear stones?

Ear complaints refer to cerumen. After removal, tinnitus may disappear or may persist. When cerumen presses against or irritates the eardrum and causes tinnitus without perforation of the eardrum, tinnitus usually resolves after cerumen removal. Redness or stinging pain inside the ear typically takes about one week to recover. Tinnitus caused by eardrum injury, external ear trauma, excessive mental stress, or other reasons unrelated to cerumen will not resolve after cerumen removal if the underlying condition remains untreated.

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What causes tinnitus?

Tinnitus is most likely caused by otogenic disorders, such as otitis media or otolithiasis (ear stones). Additionally, dizziness may co-occur. For instance, Ménière’s syndrome—though not strictly otogenic—along with vascular diseases that compromise blood supply to the inner ear, can also trigger tinnitus. Treatment must be individualized according to the underlying cause. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), therapy often focuses on nourishing the liver and kidneys to alleviate tinnitus.

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What's the reason for feeling dizzy as if spinning when lying down?

Dizziness and vertigo experienced while lying down may be caused by conditions such as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), cervical spondylosis, and hypertension. When otoliths (ear stones) become dislodged, they can stimulate the sensory cells in the semicircular canals, leading to a sensation of dizziness. Patients with cervical spondylosis may suffer from insufficient blood supply to the brain, resulting in symptoms like dizziness and vertigo. Hypertensive patients may also experience vertigo and a spinning sensation when lying down due to inadequate cerebral perfusion.