Acute vertigo with central signs — vertigo with a new focal neurologic deficit, severe headache, or inability to walk — activate the stroke pathway/transfer (a central cause).

Facial-nerve weakness after ear surgery — new facial asymmetry on the operative side — urgent ENT/provider notification.

Post-operative infection / mastoiditis — severe pain, fever, purulent drainage, or postauricular swelling/redness — escalate.

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss — a sudden, unexplained loss of hearing — urgent evaluation (a treatment-time-sensitive condition).