Lump below the left ear

Dear Ask The Doctor: This morning I noticed that there was a lump, roughly the size of a dime, where my law bone attaches to my skull. Maybe a cenitmeter away from my left ear. I don't feel the same thing on the opposite side. I don't know when it came up but it is rather soar. I have noticed some weird changes with my ears lately as far as hearing. And they always feel like the are stuffed up or filled with water. I was wondering what this lumb could possibly be and if I should go see a dr. or wait it out. Please advise...

Dear Hannah: The lump that you are experiencing may be due to a swollen lymph node in the presence of eustachian tube dysfunction. The eustachian tube connects the middle ear to the throat. Symptoms include fullness and dizziness and earache. Diagnosis is of eustachian tube dysfunction is made by tympanometry. Treatment involves medications such as decongestants, systemic or local antihistamines and nasal topical steroids.