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Diseases
and disorders of the ears, nose, throat,
head, and neck negatively impact the lives
of millions around the world. Our health
information, created by our member
physicians, provides a basic overview of
diagnoses and treatment for many of these
conditions. |
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Otolaryngology Ear & Hearing
Problems
Conditions that impair ear
function can be as minor as wax
buildup or as serious as
congenital deafness. This
section contains valuable
information about how to protect
your hearing, how to recognize
indications of hearing
disorders, and what ENT-head and
neck physicians can do to
evaluate and treat these
problems.
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01. I Sometimes Hear Ringing in My Ears. Is This Unusual?
02. What is the Treatment?
03. What causes Otitis Media?
04. What are the symptoms?
05. What causes Swimmer's Ear
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01. I Sometimes Hear Ringing in My Ears. Is This
Unusual?
Not at all, Tinnitus is the name for
these head noises, and they are very common.
Nearly 36 million Americans suffer from this
discomfort. Tinnitus may come and go, or you
may be aware of a continuous sound. It can
vary in pitch from a low roar to a high
squeal or whine, and you may hear it in one
or both ears. When the ringing is constant,
it can be annoying and distracting. More
than seven million people are afflicted so
severely that they cannot lead normal lives.
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02. What is the Treatment?
In most cases, there is no specific
treatment for ear and head noise. If your
otolaryngologist finds a specific cause of
your tinnitus, he/she may be able to
eliminate the noise. But, this determination
may require extensive testing including
X-rays, balance tests, and laboratory work.
However, most causes cannot be identified.
Occasionally, medicine may help the noise.
The medications used are varied, and several
may be tried to see if they help.
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03. What causes Otitis Media?
Blockage of the Eustachian tube during a
cold, allergy, or upper respiratory
infection and the presence of bacteria or
viruses lead to accumulation of fluid (a
build-up of pus and mucus) behind the
eardrum. This is the infection called acute
otitis media. The build up of pressurized
pus in the middle ear causes earache,
swelling, and redness. Since the eardrum
cannot vibrate properly, you or your child
may have hearing problems.
Often after the acute infection has passed,
the effusion remains and becomes chronic,
lasting for weeks, months, or even years.
This condition makes one subject to frequent
recurrences of the acute infection and may
cause difficulty in hearing.
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04. What are the symptoms?
In infants and toddlers look for:
 Pulling
or scratching at the ear
(especially if accompanied
by the following
Hearing
problems
Crying,
irritability
Fever
Vomiting
Ear
drainage
In young children, adolescents, and adults
look for:
Earache
Feeling of fullness or pressure
Hearing problems
Dizziness, loss of balance
Nausea, vomiting
Ear drainage
Fever
So, remember . . .
Otitis media is generally not serious if it
is promptly and properly treated. With the
help of your physician, you and/or your
child can feel and hear better very soon. Be
sure to follow the treatment plan, and see
your physician until he/she tells you that
the condition is fully cured.
Swimmers Ear Symptoms
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The ear feels blocked and may itch |
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The ear canal becomes swollen, sometimes
swelling shut |
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The ear starts draining and a runny milky
liquid |
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The ear becomes very painful and very
tender to touch, especially |
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on the cartilage in
front of the ear
canal. |
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If you experience these symptoms
or if glands in the neck become
swollen, see your doctor.
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05. What causes Swimmers
Ear?
When water
gets into the ear, it may bring in bacterial
or fungal particles. Usually the water runs
back out; the ear dries out; and the
bacteria and fungi don't cause any problems.
But sometimes water remains trapped in the
ear canal, and the skin gets soggy. Then
bacteria and fungi grow, flourish, and can
infect the outer ear.
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CapeCod-ent.com
Cape Cod Ear, Nose, & Throat Specialists. Head & Neck
Surgery, P.C.
65 Cedar Street, Hyannis, MA 02601
(508) 790-0611 |
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