Ears – Eastside Ent

EAR INFECTION

Ear infections can occur in the middle or outer ear. Middle ear infections are most common in younger children but can affect people of all ages. Outer ear infections occur most commonly when the skin in the outer ear is dry or cracked. This can lead to ear pain, drainage or swelling in the ear canal. Treatment for these types of infections can include ear drops, antibiotics or in some cases a tube placed in the ear drum to drain the trapped fluid. Proper diagnosis by an otolaryngologist will help to relieve symptoms and clear the infection in a timely manner

EARACHE

Ear pain, also known as an earache, is a common complaint that can have many different causes. These include infection, poor eustachian tube function, or temporomandibular joint problems (TMJ). Other causes can include tooth pain, sore throat, an excess buildup of ear wax, sinus infection, or a foreign object in the ear. Treatment of earache will depend on the cause, which should relieve the pain in most situations

EARDRUM PERFORATION

Eardrum perforations are holes within the eardrum. This can lead to potential middle ear infections or hearing loss. In most cases, a perforation will close on its own, but in some cases surgery is needed to repair the hole. Your doctor will typically examine your ear and obtain a hearing test to assess for any hearing loss.

BALANCE DISORDERS

Balance disorders are a common problem faced by many people, typically adults. Balance disorders can include feeling unsteady, off balance, or that the room is spinning around them. Dizziness can have many different causes, including the inner ear. A thorough patient history and physical exam will help to determine the cause of dizziness or imbalance and to identify the proper treatment.

EAR TUBES

Middle ear infections are particularly common in younger children. If these infections do not resolve on their own, they can become chronic issues that can lead to hearing loss, speech delay and other problems. Ear tubes can help to resolve these chronic infections by allowing fluid to drain and the ear to ventilate properly. In younger children, these procedures are usually performed in the operating room and take less than 15 minutes. Children are usually back to themselves as soon as the following day.

EARWAX REMOVAL

Earwax (cerumen) is produced by healthy ears and protects the ears from bacteria, water and foreign particles. Usually, excess wax is removed from the ear canal on its own. In some cases, the buildup can occur and block the ear. This can lead to hearing loss, a feeling of fullness in the ear, ringing in the ear or even ear pain. Treatment will usually include removal of wax in the office. At home treatments such as baby oil, mineral oil or hydrogen peroxide can help to soften the wax to allow easier removal in the office.

EUSTACHIAN TUBE DISORDERS

The eustachian tube is a ventilation pathway that travels from the middle ear to the nose. This helps to ventilate the middle ear space and keep the area filled with air to allow for normal hearing. In patients with dysfunction of the eustachian tube, symptoms can include a feeling of ear fullness, ear popping, or fluid buildup in the middle ear. Most cases can be treated with medications such as nasal sprays or saltwater nasal rinses. In more severe cases, an ear tube can be placed in the eardrum to allow for an alternate ventilation pathway. More recently, a technique has been developed to dilate the eustachian tube with a balloon. This is done in the operating room and can help to relieve symptoms in certain cases.