I feal a bit of a fraud as I have few of the classic symtoms of cholesteatoma but this was the diagnosis I was given a few days ago. I did suffer persistant ear infections as a child but I'm now in my late 40s and have had no ear problems for decades until last October.
I had minor discomfort in my right ear but wasn't going to bother going to my GP until I woke one morning to find the front half of my tongue was numb and I couldn't taste properly. GP prescribed antibiotic drops and said she'd deal with the tongue later once the ear cleared up. It did clear up quickly but the tongue remained unchanged so I was refered to the local hospital ENT clinic. Hearing test resulted in a \"hearing's fine\" statement. My ears was cleaned out but the registrar seemed reluctant to believe me when I said that there had been no discharge. I was sent for a CT scan at the end of December. Back at the ENT clinic on Monday for the results - I've got cholesteatoma, now waiting to see the surgeon.
So no hearing loss, no discharge, no real pain to speak of. But a numb tongue and I feel pressure across the top of my cheak bone and behind the ear. To say that I am apprehensive about what they are going to find when they open up my ear is the proverbial understatement.
Chris