Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.
1
Is any of this happening now?
Call 911
Go to emergency care for heavy ear bleeding that does not stop, fainting, breathing difficulty, or sudden neurological symptoms such as facial drooping, arm weakness, or difficulty speaking.
These symptoms can have causes other than a glomus tympanicum tumor, but they need immediate assessment.
Other emergency signs, for anyone
Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
2
Is any of this happening?
Be seen today
Seek prompt medical advice for:
New or rapidly worsening hearing loss
Repeated ear bleeding
New dizziness that affects walking
Facial weakness, hoarseness, or trouble swallowing
A known tumor with clearly changing symptoms
3
Does any of this apply?
Book an appointment
Arrange a routine medical appointment if you develop a pulsing sound in one ear, ongoing one-sided hearing loss, persistent ear fullness, or unexplained ear discharge.
These symptoms usually are not an emergency, but they should be assessed rather than assumed to be harmless tinnitus or an infection.
Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Glomus tympanicum tumor. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.