Tingling in the ears, also called paresthesia, causes the patient to feel a sensation of pins and needles inside the ear canal. The discomfort is often accompanied by numbness or increased sensitivity. Tingling inside an ear is often an indication of an infection, injury, or nerve damage. Those suffering are urged to seek immediate medical advice. Tingling ears are often accompanied by ringing inside the ears, which is known as tinnitus.
Tingling ears are often a symptom of multiple sclerosis, diabetes, high blood pressure, diabetic neuropathy, or a tumor. The problem can also indicate a possible myocardial infarction. Injuries such as sensory nerve trauma, sensory nerve compression, stroke, peripheral neuropathy, or a severe blow to the head can also leave the patient with a tingling sensation inside the ear canal. Tingling in the ears can also indicate a disorder within the oral cavity, dental problems, or a problem with the jaw. A tingling sensation can also be caused by exposure to loud music or progressive hearing loss.
Infections often cause a tingling sensation in the ear. After suffering from a common cold, an ear or sinus infection can develop. During the height of allergy season, many people with tingling ears experience an increase in sensation as their allergy symptoms become more severe. Excessive exposure to intense cold can also cause the ears to begin to tingle and go numb.
If tingling occurs after a person starts taking a new medication, the victim should immediately report the symptom to the doctor. The sensation may be a side effect of certain medications. A doctor will be able to advise the patient on whether to stop the medication or prescribe a substitute to alleviate the problem.
Tingling or ringing in the ears can be bothersome to the sufferer and can even disrupt sleep, inadvertently affecting daily life or work performance. Sufferers should seek the advice of their GP, who may refer them to a specialist such as an ear, nose, and throat doctor. The doctor will review your family history, perform a physical exam, and may order additional tests such as a computed tomography (CT) scan or a hearing test. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan may also be helpful in diagnosis. If the doctor determines that a dental or jaw problem is causing the symptom, he or she may refer the victim to an oral surgeon or dentist for further testing.
Treatment for tingling ears will depend on the underlying cause of the sensation. The condition is often treated with antibiotics to clear an infection, although it can be serious enough to require surgery. While the symptoms can be bothersome, the biggest concern with tingling ears is that the condition is often a symptom of a larger problem.