Although of unproven benefit, a short and rapidly tapering burst of steroids may be offered to counter the swelling of the nerve. Patients with Bell's Palsy are followed closely and considered for surgical decompression if their nerve ceases to function. The procedure permits a swollen nerve to expand outside the confines of its usual bony tunnel where swelling tends to compress the blood supply to the nerve. Rehabilitation of facial paralysis will be discussed in the section on facial plastic and reconstructive surgery. Tinnitus Tinnitus is sound heard in one or both ears that is constantly present and not by any stimulus outside the body.
Objective tinnitus is tinnitus which can be heard and appreciated by an objective examiner.
For the most part, objective tinnitus consists of vascular tinnitus. That is to say they are sounds made by blood rushing through blood vessels. Generally, vascular tinnitus is caused by an arteriovenous malformation or vascular tumor close to the inner ear. Therefore, AV malformations and vascular tumors anywhere in the temporal bone may cause vascular tinnitus. Occasionally, an aberrant carotid artery with significant obstruction may cause a sufficient amount of vascular noise to produce audible sound to the patient.