Symptoms begin to occur over a short period of time and full weakness of the face usually occurs after two to five days. Early symptoms may include pain in or behind the ear. This is followed by a rapidly worsening weakness of one half of the face. It becomes difficult to close one eye completely, and one corner of the mouth on the same side begins to droop. Other common symptoms include loss of taste and intolerance of loud noises in the ear of the affected side of the face.
Some people also experience altered sensation in the face on the side of the weakness.
Recovery occurs for the majority of patients. Improvement from complete paralysis to partial paralysis within five to seven days after the beginning of symptoms is a good sign and usually indicates a rapid and full recovery. Eighty per cent of people recover within a few weeks or within a month or two. If recovery of taste occurs within the first week, then recovery is more likely to be rapid and complete. Recovery of taste usually precedes recovery of facial weakness.