Symptoms Of A Ruptured Eardrum

Facial Weakness

Facial weakness could develop for some individuals with a ruptured eardrum. If present, the weakness is often mild, and it occurs on the same side as the affected ear. Patients might experience facial weakness in different ways. For example, one patient with a ruptured eardrum could notice mild difficulty with chewing due to the pain of the ruptured eardrum, and another patient might notice the pain causes trouble with certain facial expressions or breathing through the nose. Patients with eardrum ruptures that are slow to heal might experience more facial weakness. Since this symptom can be a sign of several serious medical conditions, patients who notice facial weakness should see a doctor as soon as the weakness develops. The patient should inform the doctor about the eardrum rupture, and they will ask questions about when the symptoms began and if anything makes them worse or better. The doctor will perform a physical examination to check the patient's sensation, and the patient might be asked to smile and perform other facial movements to check for pain and asymmetry. To rule out more serious medical concerns, the doctor might recommend a brain scan, and specialized ear testing may be performed.