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Vertigo and Ear infection with ringing
Hi Doctors,
Good afternoon.
I am a 36 year old male. 2 months back, I had a sudden vertigo, kind of double vision, with an Ear infection, discharge with a bad smell, ringing sound and pain.
I visited ENT and after evaluation Doctor suggested few medicines like vertin etc for a week but I have not got relief and on friends suggestion I visited Neurologist, and the doctor evaluated me, had a brain MRI and was asked me to follow medication (Vertin,dizitac,tryptomer,zinckofer plus,naxdom - Ignore spelling mistakes) for 3 weeks. Initially it looked good, but from past 2 days I am experiencing the vertigo, vomiting sensation and headache.
Now I am confused on my condition and whom to contact. ENT or NEUROLOGIST or some other doctors.
Requesting you to guide me on this.
Answers (42)
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Based on ur explanation we can suspect that u might have a perforation of tympanic membrane with middle ear infection which may be the cause for ur foul smelling ear discharge, tinnitus and vertigo. This goes into the court of ENT. There's no point in consulting neurologist at this moment.
Next Steps
As a budding ENT surgeon I would recommend you to contact ENT surgeon. I can help u if u could share me ur reports or past prescription with me so That I can conclude the picture and help you further in ur treatment process
Health Tips
please maintain ear hygiene and avoid exposure to cold winds and avoid entry of water into the ears
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Based on your history, your symptoms initially started with an ear infection (foul-smelling discharge, pain, ringing), which strongly suggests an inner or middle ear–related vertigo (vestibular cause) rather than a primary brain problem.
Since your MRI brain is normal, a serious neurological cause is unlikely.
The recurrence of vertigo with nausea and headache can happen due to:
Persistent inner ear infection or inflammation (labyrinthitis / vestibular neuritis)
Chronic otitis media causing balance disturbance
Temporary vestibular imbalance after infection
Sometimes migraine-associated vertigo
ENT specialist is the right doctor to consult again, especially one who deals with neuro-otology / vertigo cases.
A neurologist is mainly required when:
MRI is abnormal
Weakness, speech problem, facial deviation, or limb numbness occurs
Since these are not present, ENT should be your primary doctor now.
What should be done next:
Detailed ear examination (otoscopy / microscope exam)
Hearing test (PTA)
Tympanometry
Review of ear infection clearance
Adjustment of vertigo medicines (long-term Vertin alone is usually not sufficient)
Next Steps
Avoid self-medication and do not continue vertigo medicines for long without review.
If vertigo is severe, continuous vomiting, or associated with hearing loss — consult ENT urgently.
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X ray cervical vertebrae ap n lateral view. In xray any finding u can consult orthopedic
Consult superspecialist like ent again.
Till than
Stugeron25 two times n Stugeron75 at night. Emset4 MD to put under toung it dissolve with saliva slowly once for vomit.
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You certainly don't need neuro consultant visit ent clinic/ hospital as you infection/inflammation may not be fully eradicated...virtigo is because of ear problem not because of brain problem
Next Steps
take proper consultation from ENT and take proper medication as directed by physician
Health Tips
you don't need to hopp from one specialist to another you just need one doctor he'll treat have a good health...
Answered
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All you mention conditions are suggesting of middle ear infection so there is no need to go to neurologist rather visit ENT surgeon as there are high chances of tympanic membrane ruptured
Next Steps
Visit ENT surgeon
Health Tips
Avoid water in ears
Answered
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I get why you’re confused — this started like an ear problem, not a brain one. Foul-smelling discharge, ear pain, ringing + vertigo strongly point to an inner/middle ear (vestibular) cause. The MRI being normal supports that. The recent return of vertigo and vomiting usually means the ear issue hasn’t fully settled, not that something new has started.
At this stage, ENT is the right primary doctor, preferably one who deals with vertigo/inner ear disorders. Neurology is useful only if there are red flags (weakness, speech issues, persistent double vision), which you haven’t mentioned.
Next Steps
• Detailed ear exam + hearing test (audiometry)
• Check for ongoing infection or inner ear inflammation
• Vertigo-specific management (sometimes repositioning maneuvers + targeted meds work better than long courses of Vertin alone)
Health Tips
Vertigo often needs fine-tuning, not just medicines. If you want, we can go step-by-step (symptom pattern, triggers, meds you took, MRI report) and narrow this down properly so you know exactly why it’s recurring and how to stop it.
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Hi,
Your initial symptoms (foul smelling discharge, tinnitus, pain, vertigo) are more likely pointing towards middle-ear infection. To confirm the diagnosis, proper history and examination is required. Consult with a good ENT specialist. Take care. All the best.
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