Hi tantanac -
I just looked up the chorda tympani nerve. It is a small branch of the Facial nerve (cranial nerve VII). The Facial nerve comes out of the skull right next to where the styloid process is attached & is one of the CNs that can be irritated by an elongated, thick or angled styloid. I would deduce from this that if the facial nerve is being irritated by your styloid, it is possible that there is “referred” irritation that includes the chorda tympani which is causing your ear fullness. Your hyperacusis could be a function of the possibly irritated chorda tympani as well. Another option to explore would be something like Meniere’s Disease which is not caused by ES but which does have as its symptoms a feeling of ear fullness, hyperacusis & loud tinnitus.
I completely agree w/ what Jules says about the length of the styloid is not the only consideration in an ES diagnosis - thickness & how it’s angled count too. Clicking when swallowing has been frequently noted in people w/ s-h ligament calcification. The ligament doesn’t need to be fully calcified to cause that problem. It can happen w/ just a small amount depending on which part of the ligament is calcified. Has anyone looked at your CT scan to see if there is ligament calcification?
How did your appointment go w/ Dr. Tiago?
Hoping this info is helpful!
