Symptoms and Signs of Herpes Zoster Oticus Symptoms of herpes zoster oticus include Severe ear pain with vesicles in the ear Transient or permanent facial paralysis (resembling Bell palsy) Vertigo lasting days to weeks Hearing loss (which may be permanent or which may resolve partially or completely) Vesicles occur on the pinna and in the external auditory canal along the distribution of the sensory branch of the facial nerve.