Ear Conditions & ENT Treatment

What ear conditions require treatment from an ENT specialist? Your ear consists of three major parts: the inner, middle, and outer ear. The hearing process involves all these three sections. Sound waves enter your ear through the outer sections. When the waves reach the middle ear, it vibrates the eardrum. The middle ear also includes three tiny bones. These bones are ossicles, and they transfer the vibrations to the inner ear. In the inner ear, there are hair-like nerve cells. These nerve cells receive impulses and transmit signals to the brain for processing.

Ear Conditions & ENT Treatment
(Source)

You may develop a hearing condition when any of these parts stop functioning or cause problems. Internal or external sources can cause hearing loss and other ear conditions such as an ear infection, barotraumas, or tinnitus. In this article, you will learn about some ear conditions and how an ENT specialist can help treat those problems. If you live in NYC and want to consult with a highly qualified ENT doctor, you can visit Ear, Nose, and Throat of New York.

Common Ear Conditions and their ENT Treatments

1. Otitis Media

In this condition, a virus or bacteria attacks your inner ear causing inflammation. Otitis media is a disorder wherein you develop fluid buildup behind the eardrum. The symptoms of this condition include fever, fluid draining from the ear, unusual irritability, difficulty sleeping, and pulling at one or both ears. When you visit an ENT specialist for the treatment of this condition, they will prescribe antibiotics. Initially, this ear infection is not critical. But if left untreated, the infection can lead to permanent hearing loss.

2. Otosclerosis

Ostosclerosis is also a common condition and can cause gradual hearing loss. You may develop this condition because of abnormal growth of bone in the middle ear. You can seek medical help and recover your hearing ability. The abnormal growth of the bone or tissues in this region prevents the stapes bone from properly vibrate. The vibration of these bones is one of the reasons you can hear. The symptoms of this condition include tinnitus, vertigo, dizziness, and balance problems. An ENT specialist will recommend a stapedectomy. Early diagnosis can prevent the inability to hear.

3. Tinnitus

Tinnitus is the buzzing or ringing sound that you often hear after exposure to loud music such as a concert. There are different types of tinnitus, such as pulsating tinnitus, acute tinnitus, and chronic tinnitus. The causes of this ear condition involve Meniere’s disease, ear wax buildup, inner ear damage, or middle ear infection.

If the ringing or buzzing sound doesn’t decrease over time, you should visit an ENT doctor. The doctor will diagnose the condition to determine its intensity. For relief, the doctor will suggest treatment such as sound therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, or tinnitus retraining therapy.

4. Ménière’s Disease

Meniere’s disease is an inner ear disorder that can lead to loss of hearing or dizziness. You may develop this ear condition in one or both ears. Tinnitus or viral infection is the common cause of this disorder. You may also develop this condition due to abnormal immune response or improper fluid drainage.

After the development of this disease, you will experience blurry vision, trembling, anxiety, and nausea. For diagnosis, an ENT specialist will perform an audiometric exam, rotator chair testing, or electrocochleography. Once diagnosed, the doctor will prescribe oral medication and other therapies. The therapies may include vestibular rehabilitation therapy, physical therapy, or positive pressure therapy.

If medication and therapy don’t work, you need to undergo surgery. Numerous surgical options are available for the treatment of Meniere’s disease. These options include vestibular nerve sectioning, endolymphatic sac shunt surgery, labyrinthectomy, and cochleosacculotomy.

5. Presbycusis

Presbycusis is an age-related hearing disorder and occurs within your inner and middle ear. The symptoms of this condition include inherited factors, long-term exposure to loud noises, and infections. This disease can be symmetrical or bilateral. This indicates that you may develop it in one or both ears. This condition may lead to a permanent inability to hear. You can reduce the severity of the condition by avoiding loud noises. For that, you can wear earplugs. Apart from that, an ENT surgeon will suggest you wear hearing aids.

Ear Conditions & ENT Treatment
(Source)

6. Barotrauma

Barotrauma is a condition wherein you undergo physical damage to the ear. You may develop this condition because of water or air pressure. You can also feel dizziness, pain, stuffy ears, and loss of hearing. In most cases, barotrauma clears up on its own. However, if you do not find relief after a few minutes, you need to consult an ENT specialist.

A professional doctor will diagnose your ear and suggest appropriate treatment. The treatment includes antibiotic therapy and OTC medications. However, if your barotrauma is critical, the doctor will perform surgery. During surgery, the doctor will insert tubes inside your ear and collect the fluid or infection causing the disorder.