Ear Disorders
We give you a thorough examination and offer effective treatment for a variety of ear disorders. We treat everything from simple wax buildup to chronic ear disease and disorders. If you suffer from dizziness, we can conduct balance testing to determine how to treat it.
Using Otomicroscopic Exams
Otomicroscopy, provides superior illumination and magnification and gives the clinician the freedom of both hands to examine the ear and for cerumen (earwax) removal.
Otomicroscopy, provides superior illumination and magnification and gives the clinician the freedom of both hands to examine the ear and for cerumen (earwax) removal.
Chronic ear infections and diseases
What is otitis media?
Otitis media refers to inflammation of the middle ear. When infection occurs, the condition is called “acute otitis media.” Acute otitis media occurs when a cold, allergy, or upper respiratory infection, and the presence of bacteria or viruses lead to the accumulation of pus and mucus behind the eardrum, blocking the Eustachian tube. This causes earache and swelling.
When fluid forms in the middle ear, the condition is known as “otitis media with effusion.” This occurs in a recovering ear infection or when one is about to occur. Fluid can remain in the ear for several weeks following an infection. If not treated, chronic ear infections have potentially serious consequences such as temporary or permanent hearing loss.
How does otitis media affect hearing?
A patient with a middle ear infection or fluid will have some degree of hearing loss. The average hearing loss in ears with fluid is 24 decibels…equivalent to wearing ear plugs. (Twenty-four decibels is about the level of the very softest of whispers.) Thicker fluid can cause much more loss, up to 45 decibels (the range of conversational speech).
Types of hearing loss
Conductive hearing loss is a form of hearing impairment due to a lesion in the external auditory canal or middle ear. Untreated middle ear fluid can lead to conductive hearing loss; draining fluid will usually return hearing to normal. Disorders of the middle ear bones or the tympanic membrane can lead to condustive hearing loss. Many of these disorders are correctable with surgery.
The other form of hearing loss is sensorineural hearing loss. This hearing loss is due to a lesion of the auditory division of the 8th cranial nerve or the deterioration of the inner ear. Historically, this condition is most prevalent in middle age and older patients; however, extended exposure to loud music can lead to sensorineural hearing loss in adolescents.