Ears

Ears

One of the most common conditions I see is otitis media with effusion (glue ear), which is infection in the middle ear. This usually affects children, but sometimes also adults, and causes pain, hearing loss and balance problems.

Other common causes of hearing loss I see are noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) and age associated hearing loss (presbyacusis). This type of sensorineural loss can make people prone to developing tinnitus.

Much like home entertainment systems, hearing aids have come ahead in leaps and bounds over just the last few years, and offer a great option for rehabilitating hearing loss.

I frequently deal with otitis externa, which is a bacterial and sometimes fungal infection of the outer ear.

Bony narrowing of the ear canal called exostosis (often seen in surfers) can be treated by exostectomy, a procedure to widen the narrowed canal.

Prominent ears are treated by otoplasty, a cosmetic procedure to create a more natural-looking ear.

Perforated ear drums are repaired by myringoplasty and tympanoplasty to restore a waterproof ear and improve hearing. 

Sudden hearing loss is an ENT emergency, and needs prompt assessment and treatment.