Are you wondering about ear infections and how they relate to MS?
While ear infections themselves aren't a direct MS symptom, MS can cause hearing-related issues due to lesions forming along the central nervous system — particularly on the brain stem or auditory nerve.
Some hearing-related symptoms that people with MS Show Full Answer
Are you wondering about ear infections and how they relate to MS?
While ear infections themselves aren't a direct MS symptom, MS can cause hearing-related issues due to lesions forming along the central nervous system — particularly on the brain stem or auditory nerve.
Some hearing-related symptoms that people with MS experience include:
- Hearing loss — which can come on gradually or suddenly over hours to a few days
- Tinnitus — ringing, clicking, or tapping sounds in the ear not caused by anything external
- Ear muscle spasms — which can create a rhythmic clicking or "Morse code" tapping sensation
As one MyMSTeam member described it: "It feels like my ear muscle has gone into spasm — hence the 'Morse code' sound, which is driving me nuts!"
It's worth noting that any sudden change in hearing could signal an MS flare. If you're experiencing new hearing symptoms, it's a good idea to reach out to your neurologist so they can help figure out what's going on and how best to manage it.
June 23
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