Benign ear cyst or tumor

Alternative names:

cysts - ear; ear cysts; ear tumors; exostoses; osteomas; tumors - ear

Symptoms:

Cysts:

• small soft skin lumps on, behind, or in front of the ear, usually not painful or tender (unless infected)
• cysts within the external ear canal can be extremely painful

Benign tumors:

• ear discomfort
• gradual hearing loss in one ear (due to blocking of the external auditory canal)

Note: There may be no symptoms.

Signs and tests:

Benign cysts and tumors are usually discovered during a routine ear examination. Inspection of the ear canal may show cysts or benign tumors that often appear as skin-covered mounds within the ear canal.

This disease may also alter the results of the following tests:

• electronystagmography
• caloric stimulation