Hearing Loss
If the shingles affects a person’s facial nerve close to one of their ears, they will have Ramsay Hunt syndrome or herpes zoster oticus. Aside from the painful rash, this condition can cause hearing loss in the affected ear and facial paralysis. The Varicella zoster virus causes the syndrome. At the first sign of Ramsay Hunt syndrome, the individual should see the doctor promptly before complications develop. Untreated, the syndrome can lead to hearing loss and permanent facial muscle weakness.
Symptoms of Ramsay Hunt syndrome include a painful band of red rash with blisters filled with fluid around, on, and in one ear. Moreover, the person may experience facial paralysis or weakness on the affected ear’s side.
The appearance of the symptoms varies. For example, the rash may not develop, or the rash may appear after facial paralysis. There are also times when both facial paralysis and inflammation occur simultaneously.
Aside from the rash and facial paralysis, an affected person may experience pain in the ear, tinnitus (ringing in the ear), deafness, difficulty in closing one eye, dry eyes and mouth, loss of taste, and vertigo.
