My Ears Are Ringing Post SMAS Face Lift, What's Going On?

Question

I had a SMAS facelift about 3 months ago, In the past three weeks, I have been experiencing ringing in my ears, especially on the left side. I asked my PS about this (he is very reputable) and he said he never heard of a facelift causing this. Has anyone else heard of this? Could it be something with the nerves in the area? Any help or suggestions would be deeply appreciated!

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Ringing in the ears is probably the result of medication or fluid or some other substance irritating or partially occluding the ear canal on that side. There are many causes of tinnitus, but the most likely things after facelift would be those two things. Have an ENT work it up if necessary. Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

Surgery would be a rare cause of ringing in the ears also called tinnitus. It should be worked up however by an ENT specialist. The list of of causes of ringing in the ears is very long and some of the more common factors that can cause it are:

	                                                                                                           external ear infection                                                                                                    acoustic shock, excessive noise loud noises/ or music (most common cause)

	earwax impaction                                                                                                       middle ear fluid

	age-associated  and other causes of hearing loss
	M&eacute;ni&egrave;re's disease
	acoustic neuroma (tumor of nerve)
	mercury or lead poisoning
	certain medications
	Pain meds such as aspirin,nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
	antibiotics: such as Ciprofloxacin, aminoglycosides, chloramphenicol,erythromycin,tetracycline
	Some Diuretics medications:
	Som antidepressents
	multiple sclerosis and other neurologic disorders
	head injury
	temporomandibular joint problesms
	metabolic disorders:
	thyroid disease
	hyperlipidemia
	vitamin B 12 deficiency
	iron deficiency anemia
	psychiatric disorders including depression and anxiety
	fibromyalgia
	vasculitis and other collagen vascular diseases
	Lyme disease
	benzodiazepine (e.g. valium) withdrawal
	nasal congestion

Carlo Honrado, MD, FACS · Answer

Having a facelift procedure should not cause any ringing of the ear, commonly known as tinnitus. Occasionally, blood and cleaning solution could enter the ear canal during the procedure, but this would cause either muffled or a decrease in your hearing. It would be beneficial to consult with an ear nose and throat physician (otolaryngologist) as you may also need to obtain a hearing test.

Michael Sundine, MD, FACS · Answer

It would be very unusual for someone to have ringing in their ears as a result of the face lift procedure. Occasionally patients will get some blood into their ear canals and have some decreased hearing following a face lift, but ringing is an unusual complaint. I would recommend that your plastic surgeon refer you to an otolaryngologist with expertise in tinnitus.

My Ears Are Ringing Post SMAS Face Lift, What's Going On?

Answers (4)

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