Ear Numbness

Ear numbness as a symptom

If your ear feels numb or you notice a tingling sensation in one or both ears, this can signal several medical issues that warrant evaluation by a clinician. Your physician may direct you to an otorhinolaryngologist — commonly known as an ENT — who focuses on disorders of the ear, nose, throat, and nearby structures.

7 common causes of ear numbness

1. Sensory nerve injury

Sensory nerves transmit sensations from various body parts to your central nervous system. For instance, the chilly feeling in your ears on a winter day is mediated by sensory nerves.

If the sensory nerves serving your ear are injured, the ear can lose normal sensation. This may produce a tingling sensation called paresthesia, which can progress to numbness.

Damage to sensory nerves is a frequent source of ear numbness and can result from trauma to the ear, such as a forceful impact or even complications from an ear piercing.

2. Middle ear infection

An infection in the middle ear can cause more than numbness; you may also notice:

• reduced hearing
• ear pain
• a constant feeling of pressure inside the ear
• discharge that may resemble pus

3. Earwax buildup

Hardened earwax that obstructs the external ear canal can lead to a numb sensation in the ear. Other possible signs include:

• diminished hearing
• ringing in the ear (tinnitus)
• ear discomfort
• itchiness in the ear

4. Swimmer’s ear

When water remains trapped in the ear canal, it creates a favorable setting for bacteria or fungi to grow. An infection of the external ear canal, often called swimmer’s ear, may produce numbness along with symptoms such as:

• reduced hearing
• ear pain
• redness around the ear
• tingling in the ear

5. Foreign object

The presence of a foreign body in the ear — for example, a cotton swab tip, a piece of jewelry, or an insect — can cause numbness and often comes with:

• loss of hearing
• ear pain
• risk of infection

6. Stroke

A stroke can produce numbness in the ear. Other warning signs of a stroke include:

• trouble speaking
• drooping on one side of the lower face
• weakness in an arm

Strokes are medical emergencies: they may cause significant brain injury and can be fatal. If ear numbness appears alongside these other signs, call emergency services immediately.

7. Diabetes mellitus

Individuals with diabetes who do not keep the disease well controlled may develop peripheral neuropathy. This condition involves damage to the peripheral nervous system, which carries signals to and from the central nervous system. Peripheral neuropathy can produce tingling and numbness in the limbs and on the face, including the ears.

Diagnosing the cause of ear numbness

To determine the cause, your clinician will inquire about additional symptoms beyond tingling or numbness in the ear. For example, they’ll ask whether you’re also experiencing any of the following:

• pus- or watery-like discharge from the ear
• nasal congestion or runny nose
• ringing or buzzing sounds in the ear
• tingling or numbness elsewhere on the body
• facial numbness
• dizziness
• nausea
• vision problems

If you have any of these accompanying symptoms, it’s a strong reason to make an appointment with your physician. You can find a local doctor through the Healthline FindCare tool. Ear tingling or numbness together with other warning signs may point to more serious conditions, including:

• salicylate (aspirin) poisoning
• respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
• Meniere’s disease
• labyrinthitis

The takeaway

Numbness or a tingling sensation in the ear can stem from many causes, ranging from a routine ear infection to disorders like Meniere’s disease. When you discuss ear numbness or tingling with your doctor, be sure to report every symptom you’re experiencing, even those that may not seem directly related to the ear.