What are the symptoms of cholesteatoma?

Varied: The symptoms while not specific for only this condition could include hearing loss, draining ear, ear fullness, dizziness. If suspected, go see an ENT to check it out.

Drainage: Most commonly patients present with a long history of yucky drainage from the ears (can be really stinky or even bloody). Often there is some sort of impaired hearing or a sense of fullness in the ear. Rarely is there real pain. There can be some dizziness. The face can develop weakness, almost looking like the patient had a stroke. Or it could be caught on exam before there are any symptoms.