Does Greater Auricular Nerve Damage ALWAYS Cause Ear Numbness?

Thank you for your question.  Although numbness of the ear occurs after complete cut or disruption of the Greater Auricular Nerve,  pain and irritation of the ears is possible after a facelift if the Greater Auricular Nerve is stretched, partially injured, or compressed by a suture after facelift surgery.

The symptoms that you describe are called dysesthesias or paresthesias and indicate a disturbance of Greater Auricular Nerve function.

Most commonly this indicates partial nerve injury which will recover.  In some cases a permanent suture used to lift and tighten the SMAS during your facelift may be compressing the Greater Auricular Nerve.  A technique called the Giampappa suture can cause this syndrome and can usually be relieved by removing the suture.

The important thing is that you are recovering.  Understand that nerves are the slowest healing tissue in the body and after injury, recovery of normal nerve function can take up to 2 years.

 

Numbness usually means the nerve has been totally cut. If there is some discomfort or electric like feelings the nerve is typically intact and just taking time to heal from swelling

The greater auricular nerve is in jeopardy during a facelift. The trauma should always be minor and can result in anesthesia and possibly discomfort for a while after the operation. This should resolve with time it sounds like your trend is favorable.