It has been reported that some patients have been misdiagnosed with Ramsey Hunt Syndrome, when in fact the correct diagnosis in their specific case was Otitis Externa.
Otitis externa or swimmers ear is an inflammation of the outer ear canal. It occurs more frequently with young children. Symptoms include itchiness in the ear, pain, trouble hearing (muffled sounds), fluid or pus draining from the ear. Swimmers ear infections can be misdiagnosed as otitis media (middle ear infection), cholesteatoma of the ear, and mastoiditis.