I've been struggling with a peculiar ear problem and has finally decided to share that with you. I wonder if anyone has the same symptoms.
My probelms started last year around March. My right ear became swollen and blocked, I had some ear ringing and also some dizziness, but not a typical vertigo - rather floating and a partial loss of hearing. The ENT found the swelling around tonsils, she also performed audiometric tests which indicated middle-ear problems. I didn't have any fluid behind the eardrum. The first diagnosis was Eustachian Tube Dysfunction. As I've always had seroius problems with inhalant allergies, they were blamed. However, antihistamines as well as other medications helped only partially. Dizziness disappeared quickly, but other symptoms kept recurring. I noticed that the swelling got worse e.g. on hot days. Sometimes it was so bad that I was almost deaf. I consulted 2 other doctors but they also considered allergy to be the problem. I went back to the first doctor and she decided to perform some tests in hospital. The tests revealed inner ear problems or nerve deafness. Next, as Acoustic Neuroma was suspected, I underwent CT scan of the head which showed NOTHING abnormal. It was the beginning of November. A week later all the symptoms disappeared - it coincided with the end of allergy season in my country (Poland). My hearing went back to normal. The winter was great but at the end of February the symptoms returned. In winter I was tested for allergies and I reacted strongly to almost everything. Now I take allergy medications. The swelling and hearing loss changes from day to day. I'm trying to see the connection between the weather, atmospheric pressure and pollen in the air. But I am scared to death that in fact it could be Acoustic Neuroma - I know that small tumours may not show in CT scan. Does anybody have similar experiences?
Is it possible for the symptoms (especially hearing loss) to disappear for some time when you have this acoustic nerve tumour?
P.S. I think this forum is great! At least I know there are others who know what I mean. Good luck!

Hearing loss related to acoustic neuroma generally does not fluctuate. Classic symptoms are 1.aural fullness, 2. tinnitus, 3. vertigo(not always), 4. sensorineural hearing loss. Generally, these symptoms are all one sided.

Meniere’s Disease carries the same symptoms with the exception of hearing loss that fluctuates early in the disease process. Has your doctor discussed Meniere’s?

Thank you for answering
I asked my doctor about Meniere's but she said it was quite unlikely as I didn't have any nausea and dizziness was not typical for this disease. However, I did a lot of reading on the Net and know that there is something like atypical Meniere or endolymphatic hydrops or something like that. I think I will bring the matter up with the doctor again.

Originally posted by aga15:
and dizziness was not typical for this disease.

She said what???? Many times dizziness is the first sign of Meniere’s. You may want to seek a second opinion.

Thank you for answering again.
Indeed I am going to another doctor on Tuesday for yet another opinion. This will be the fourth doctor.

I phrased the sentence in a wrong way. Sorry. I meant the dizziness that I had, and not that the doctor said that dizziness was not typical of Meniere’s.
My dizziness was not at all like spinning. I read that this kind of dizziness was typical of this disease. I also did not have any attacks as they are often described by people on the Net. I haven’t been dizzy (in my way) for 14 months. Should I expect a bout?

Do you think that the kind of dizziness one has may indicate the problem or help to differentiate between different diseases? Is there something like typical dizziness e.g. for Meniere’s?

I’ve got another question if you don’t mind.
Is there something like inner ear response to allergies (but not Meniere’s, which as I heard can also be triggered by allergens)? My symptoms (hearing loss, ear noise and the feeling of blockage) seem to disappear or improve considerably e.g. on rainy days like now. Maybe these are the fluctuations in Meniere’s. I really don’t know what to think. I’m quite pessimistic about the whole problem.

Has a diagnosis of autoimmune ear disease been ruled out for you? Fluctuating hearing is typical of autoimmune related problems as are tinnitus and balance problems. The balance problems tend to be pretty pronounced but then again everybody has a different reaction to different illnesses. It'd be worth discussing it with your doctor as autoimmune problems are treatable to some extent in some people.
Best of luck with it.

Have the Dr. order a MRI with contrast to determine if it is an acoustic neuroma. The cat scat is not always reliable. I has the same symptoms including unusual tiredness. Found out I have a 1.5cm acoustic neuroma on my left side. I had gamma knife radiations vs. surgery in June 2003. Awaiting my next MRI in Nov. to see progress. My hearing and ringing in the hear comes and goes due to the barometric pressure changes, salt intake and excess noise. DO no give up. Diane

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