Differential Diagnosis for One Sided Ear Fullness and Hearing Loss
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Middle Ear Effusion: This condition, where fluid accumulates in the middle ear, is a common cause of unilateral ear fullness and hearing loss. It often follows an upper respiratory infection and can be associated with Eustachian tube dysfunction.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Otitis Media: An infection of the middle ear, which can cause pain, fever, and hearing loss, in addition to ear fullness. It's more common in children but can occur in adults.
- Earwax Impaction: A buildup of earwax can cause a feeling of fullness and hearing loss in one ear. It's a common issue that can often be resolved with earwax removal.
- Meniere's Disease: A disorder of the inner ear that affects balance and hearing, leading to episodes of vertigo, tinnitus, hearing loss, and ear fullness. It typically starts in one ear.
- Acoustic Neuroma: A benign tumor on the nerve connecting the inner ear to the brain, which can cause hearing loss, tinnitus, and balance problems, often affecting one side.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA): Though less common, sudden hearing loss can be a symptom of a stroke or TIA, especially if accompanied by other neurological symptoms. Prompt diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment.
- Multiple Sclerosis: An autoimmune disease that can affect various parts of the body, including the auditory system, leading to hearing loss and other neurological symptoms.
- Lyme Disease: In rare cases, Lyme disease can cause neurological symptoms, including hearing loss, especially if left untreated.
Rare Diagnoses
- Otosclerosis: A condition in which there is abnormal bone growth in the middle ear, causing hearing loss. It can start in one ear and may lead to a feeling of fullness.
- Cholesteatoma: A type of skin cyst located in the middle ear, which can cause destruction of the surrounding bone and tissue, leading to hearing loss and other complications.
- Ramsay Hunt Syndrome: Caused by the varicella-zoster virus, this condition can lead to facial paralysis, ear pain, and hearing loss, typically affecting one side of the face.
- Temporal Bone Fracture: A fracture of the temporal bone, which houses critical structures of the ear and brain, can cause hearing loss, vertigo, and other neurological symptoms, depending on the fracture's location and severity.