Ear Care

From Balance Problems to Ear Pain, We are Here to Help

The ears can be a difficult area to perform self-care on. It’s hard to get a good look at them, and agitating the inner ear too much can cause damage to the eardrum. The ENT physicians at West Jefferson Ear, Nose and Throat can provide you with the safe, effective ear care you’ve been looking for.

Your ear canal contains the vestibular system, which is responsible for regulating balance. Feelings of dizziness, lightheadedness, and even nausea can often be attributed to ear problems. Visiting our ENT clinic may be the right choice if you are experiencing these problems.

Ear infections

Ear infections cause painful inflammation and fluid build-up in the inner ear. While many ear infections last only a short time and will usually go away on their own, people with chronic ear infections that keep coming back should seek professional treatment. There are many things that could cause an ear infection, such as a sinus infection, allergies, or even changes in altitude.

Symptoms of an ear infection include:

• Pain or discomfort in the ear
• Difficulty hearing
• Feeling pressure inside the ear
• Ear leakage
• Feeling dizzy
• Difficulty sleeping

Ear infections usually occur in one ear, but they can occur in both at once. Even if your ear infection is not serious, an ENT doctor can help you manage the symptoms. You should seek medical attention immediately if a knot forms behind the ear or you have difficulty moving your face. Fevers, seizures, and changes in personality are also a cause for concern.

Tinnitus

Have you ever heard a ringing in the ears even when there was no reason for it to be there? This is a common problem known as tinnitus. While it is annoying, tinnitus is usually not a cause for concern. The ringing sound usually goes away after a few minutes. Many people start to experience tinnitus as they enter old age.

Tinnitus does not always sound like ringing, it can also manifest as hissing, clicking, roaring, or buzzing. Essentially, any noise that has no apparent cause could be a case of tinnitus. You normally do not need medical attention if you have tinnitus, but if the noise is particularly distracting, occurs frequently, or is accompanies with dizziness, you should schedule an appointment with your doctor.

Vertigo treatment

Vertigo is an inner ear condition that affects the vestibular system. Patients with vertigo can suffer bouts of disorientation that make it difficult to stand or walk in a straight line. This is dangerous because it increases their risk of suffering a serious injury. Anyone who experiences frequent bouts of severe dizziness should seek medical attention.

The following are possible treatments for vertigo:

• Antibiotics for ear infection-induced vertigo
• Medications
• Vestibular therapy, a balance-focused form of physical therapy
• Repositioning maneuvers that can treat vertigo symptoms and eventually make it go away entirely
• Surgery for cases caused by a tumor or injury

Tympanoplasty

The eardrum, also called the tympanic membrane, is a membrane in the inner ear that vibrates when exposed to sound waves. It plays an important role in our ability to hear, which is why damage to the eardrum is nothing to take lightly. If they eardrum becomes perforated, it is usually treated with a surgery known as Tympanoplasty.

There are many different types of Tympanoplasty. A doctor recommends treatment based on the patient’s age and the extent of damage to the eardrum. The most common and least invasive form involves placing a graft over the hole to help the eardrum heal. The procedure is done on an outpatient basis and has a very high success rate.

Tympanomastoidectomy

Patients with chronic ear infections that keep coming back despite medical intervention may need to under tympanomastoidectomy surgery. In this procedure, the surgeon removes the infected tissue behind the ear (the mastoid). The eardrum is then repaired so that the patient does not suffer hearing loss.

Sensations after the surgery, including your sense of taste, may feel strange for the next few days. You will need to be gentle with your ear while it heals and avoid things like swimming, moving between altitudes, and playing contact sports.