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Dr. Michael Burnett Specializes in Problems of the Ear, Nose, Sinuses and Throat.

An ear, nose and throat specialist (ENT) is a physician trained in the medical and surgical treatment of the ears, nose, throat, and related structures of the head and neck. They have special expertise in managing diseases of the ears, nose and nasal passage sinuses, larynx (voice box), oral cavity and upper pharynx (mouth and throat), as well as structures of the neck and face. ENT is the oldest medical specialty in the United States.

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Category Archives: Ear Infection

Tips for Dealing with Chronic Ear Infections

ENT Doctor Tips for Dealing with Chronic Ear InfectionsChronic ear infections can be a persistent and painful problem, affecting both children and adults. Here are some comprehensive tips for managing and preventing this sometimes painful and persistent condition.

Understanding Chronic Ear Infections

Lasting and persistent ear infections, also known as otitis media, occur when fluid or infection persists in the middle ear for an extended period. They can lead to discomfort, hearing problems, and other complications if not properly managed.

Causes of Chronic Ear Infections

Recurring Acute Infections

Repeated episodes of acute ear infections can lead to chronic conditions. Bacteria and viruses are common culprits.

Eustachian Tube Dysfunction

The Eustachian tube helps drain fluid from the middle ear. Dysfunction can cause fluid buildup, leading to infection.

Allergies and Sinus Infections

Allergic reactions and sinus infections can cause inflammation and blockage, contributing to chronic ear infections.

Environmental Factors

Exposure to tobacco smoke, pollution, and crowded living conditions can increase the risk of chronic ear infections.

Symptoms of Chronic Ear Infections

Symptoms include persistent ear pain, drainage from the ear, hearing loss, and a feeling of fullness in the ear. Fever and irritability are also common in children.

Diagnosis

An ENT specialist like Dr. Michael Burnett will perform a thorough examination, including a review of medical history, physical examination, and possibly hearing tests or imaging studies to diagnose chronic ear infections accurately.

Treatment Options

Medications

  • Antibiotics: Prescribed to treat bacterial infections.
  • Steroids: Reduce inflammation and swelling.
  • Pain Relievers: Over-the-counter pain medications can help alleviate discomfort.

Surgical Interventions

  • Myringotomy: A small incision is made in the eardrum to drain fluid.
  • Tympanostomy Tubes: Small tubes are inserted into the eardrum to allow continuous drainage and prevent fluid buildup.
  • Adenoidectomy: Removal of the adenoids if they are contributing to Eustachian tube blockage and recurrent infections.

Preventive Measures

Maintain Good Hygiene

Regular handwashing can prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses that cause ear infections.

Avoid Environmental Triggers

Keep children away from tobacco smoke and reduce exposure to pollution.

Allergy Management

Treat allergies promptly to reduce the risk of inflammation and blockage in the Eustachian tubes.

Regular Check-Ups

Regular visits to an ENT specialist can help monitor ear health and catch problems early.

Home Remedies and Lifestyle Changes

Warm Compress

Applying a warm compress to the affected ear can help alleviate pain.

Hydration

Drinking plenty of fluids can help thin mucus and promote drainage.

Avoid Inserting Objects

Do not insert cotton swabs or other objects into the ear, as this can cause damage and increase the risk of infection.

When to Seek Medical Attention

If you or your child experience severe pain, high fever, hearing loss, or persistent symptoms despite home treatment, seek medical attention immediately.

Conclusion

Serious ear infections require diligent management and preventive measures to avoid complications. By understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatment options, you can effectively deal with this condition.

For expert diagnosis and treatment of chronic ear infections, contact Dr. Michael Burnett at Ear, Nose & Throat of New York. Our dedicated team is here to provide comprehensive care.

Ear, Nose & Throat of New York
Michael C. Burnett, MD
212-867-4813

Convenient East Side / Upper East Side Location

Inner Ear Infection & Treatment

Are you struggling with ear pain and don’t know whether it’s an inner ear infection or minor injury? If you haven’t considered going to a doctor already, opt for an ENT specialist. ENT specialists know more about ear, nose, and throat infections because that’s what they specialize in. Whether you’re suffering from minor injuries or chronic infections, ENT specialists deal with a number of issues involving the ear, nose, and throat.

Inner Ear Infection & Treatment
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Ear infections can be painful and uncomfortable, considering you are not getting the right treatment at the best possible time. That’s why you must never wait longer than necessary for chronic symptoms to appear if the pain seems to be unusual. Here’s a quick overview of inner ear infection, symptoms, causes, and a few treatment options.

What is an Inner Ear Infection?

There are many different types of ear infections ranging from outer ear infections to middle and inner ear infections. Identifying the cause of your ear infection will help your ENT specialist in choosing the right treatment option.

Often, an inner ear infection refers to the irritation or inflammation of the inner ear parts. The inner parts and highly important areas of the ear are responsible for proper hearing and maintaining conscious balance. So, if irritation and inflammation progress rapidly to become a serious infection, it could lead to potential hearing losses and balance disorders.

In most cases, an infection inside the ear is caused by bacteria or viruses. Check out the most common symptoms of having an inner ear infection due to viruses or bacteria.

Symptoms of Inner Ear Infection

During the initial stages of an ear infection, some people experience little to no symptoms. However, at chronic stages, several inner ear infections exhibit symptoms including:

  • Balance or walking problem
  • Spinning sensation or dizziness
  • Hearing loss
  • Vomiting and nausea
  • Ear pain/discomfort
  • Tinnitus (ringing in the ear)
  • Feelings of ears being full

Causes of Inner Ear Infection

Ear infections are primarily caused by different types of viruses and bacteria. It’s usually a sign of another illness that leads to inner ear infections. For an inner ear infection to manifest and progress, the viruses responsible for it must be present in the middle ear. Here’re a few illnesses and viruses that cause the problem:

  • Herpes
  • Influenza
  • Cold/Flu
  • Allergies
  • Epstein-Barr virus

Available Treatment Options for an Inner Ear Infection

Check out some of the few treatment options that help patients recover effectively from an inner ear infection. Even at chronic stages, some of the most effective treatment options grant substantial relief and comfort.

Inner Ear Infection ENT
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Over-The-Counter Medication

OTC medication helps patients get rid of nausea and vomiting symptoms while providing instant relief from headaches and severe migraines as a result of ear infections. However, you must not go for OTC medicines without consulting an ENT specialist.

Anti-Inflammation Medication

Since inflammation is one of the top causes of inner ear infections, your ENT specialist may prescribe anti-inflammation steroids or other OTC medicine to help reduce the ear inflammation and irritation in the inner regions.

Drainage and Surgery

Depending on how severe your case is, your ENT specialist might suggest removing excess ear fluid and bacteria buildup through surgery. Although a lot of evaluation and assessment will take place, surgeries are less common solutions for ear infections.

Inner Ear Infection & Treatment: Conclusion

Michael C. Burnett, MD at Ear, Nose & Throat of New York, offers comprehensive care to patients with inner ear infections and a lot of other ENT related health issues. You can visit our health institute at any time during working hours to get an appointment with Dr. Michael C. Burnett. He will offer compassionate care and reliable treatment remedies to recover from various types of ENT health issues.

Whether you’re facing an ENT related infection, disorder, or disease, Dr. Burnett can help. Call today.

EAR, NOSE & THROAT OF NEW YORK
115 East 57th Street
Suite 600
New York, NY 10022
212-867-4813

Doctor for Ear Infection: Types, Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Do you need a doctor for ear infection? An ear infection is a painful collection of germs, bacteria, and viruses in the ear due to fluid buildup or inflammation. It can also affect the outer ear, but is most commonly associated with viral middle ear infection. Although ear infections can be both acute and chronic, they both are equally quite painful.

You can treat an acute ear infection quickly, but treating a chronic ear infection is quite difficult since they keep recurring. A chronic ear infection can even cause permanent damage to the inner or middle ear.

Types of Ear Infections

Outer Ear Infection

The outer ear infection affects the ear canal or the pinna. It is treatable with topical therapies, ear drops, or oral ingestion of antibiotics, depending on the severity of the infection. A typical type of outer ear infection is swimmer’s ear (Otitis Externa). Diabetic people are at a higher risk for certain outer ear infections.

Middle Ear Infection

Middle ear infection affects the area or section of your ear that is directly behind the eardrum. Although this type of infection can happen at any age, it is most common in children. You can treat your ear infection with antibiotics, but depending on the clinical scenario, steroids can also be a possible treatment.

Causes of an Ear Infection

An ear infection can happen when you have a blocked or swollen Eustachian tube that causes excess fluid to build up in the ear. These are those tiny tubes present in each ear, and that runs to the back of the throat.

The following things can cause a Eustachian tube to be blocked:

  • Sinus infection
  • Allergies
  • Colds
  • Excess mucus
  • Smoking
  • Change in the air pressure
  • Swollen or infected adenoids which are tissues located near the tonsils and trap harmful viruses and bacteria.

Symptoms of an Ear Infection

The symptoms of an ear infection are quite distinct. Answer the following questions to see if a visit to an ENT specialist is due.

  • Are you experiencing discomfort or mild pain inside your ear?
  • Do you feel a pressure inside your ear that continues to persist?
  • Is your child presenting signs of fussiness?
  • Have you noticed a pus-like fluid or drainage from your ear?
  • Are you experiencing hearing loss?

If you are experiencing any one of these symptoms in one or both ears, regardless of symptoms persisting or recurring, then it is prudent to consult an ENT specialist at your earliest.  This is because the chronic ear infection symptoms are more subtle, but if left untreated can cause permanent hearing loss.

If you have a double ear infection, then you can expect to experience very sharp and severe pain.

You should also see a professional health care provider if your child is younger than six months and has fewer symptoms but a severe ear pain coupled with a fever higher than 102oF, i.e., 39oC.

Treatment for an Ear Infection

The treatment is straightforward for a mild ear infection since the ear clears up without intervention. The methods you can adopt to relieve a mild ear infection’s symptoms effectively are:

  • Put a slightly warm cloth on the affected ear.
  • Taking over-the-counter pain medications such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) and Advil (ibuprofen) to dull the pain.
  • Using prescribed or OTC ear drops to relieve pain.
  • Taking OTC decongestants like Sudafed (pseudoephedrine) is also useful.

Apart from these treatments, book an appointment with an ENT specialist, especially if the symptoms get worse instead of improving. Doctors may prescribe additional antibiotics if you have a case of chronic ear infection.

Doctors can also prescribe antibiotics to children under the age of 2 years. It is vital to finish your antibiotic course completely as prescribed.

If the symptom continues to persist even after the usual medical treatment, then surgery is a very likely option. The procedure for the surgery involves draining out the buildup fluid by placing tubes in the ear. Another surgical procedure for an ear infection is removing the enlarged adenoids.

Doctor for Ear Infection

An ear infection is a severe condition that you should not take lightly. Expert ENT specialists like Dr. Michael Burnett highly recommend seeking the treatment as early as spotting the first symptom. Not letting the ear infection progress form a mild to a severe stage is vital for comfortable treatment.

Visit Dr. Michael Burnett at his offices, or can give him a call at 212-867-4813 for more information about your ear infection.

ENT Doctor: Ear Infections

If you have infants at home, you may have often consulted pediatrics for their ear infections. Young children are prone to developing an ear infection more than other age groups. No wonder half of all the antibiotics prescribed for the American children are for ear infections.

Earache and ear infections are often confused with each other. There is a distinction between the two. Earache is a common symptom of an ear infection. Ear infections can cause annoyance, discomfort, or ear-discharge.

Most of the inner ear infections develop and disappear on their own shortly. However, some infections may haunt you with frequent comebacks.

How Does an Ear Infection Develop?

Viruses are the root cause of an ear infection. Just behind our eardrums, there is a small air-filled cavity called “middle ear.” A passageway connects our middle ear to the back of the throat. Air also enters our middle ear through this route, i.e., the Eustachian tube.

The passageway is responsible for draining out the fluid of the middle ear.  A virus attack on the fluid behind the eardrum may lead to an ear infection. Our middle ear needs ventilation, and when it does not get sufficient air, it becomes dry and warm.  Germs breeding in the sinus or nose may enter the middle ear through the Eustachian tube.

Ear infections or otitis media is often the result of a blockage in the tube. An allergy, sinus infection, common cold or flu, and adenoid problems may clog the passageway.

Types of Middle Ear Infections

Let’s have a look at some of the Middle ear problems that may result in an ear infection.

·      Acute Otitis Media (AOM)

Clogged Eustachian tubes cause fluids to build up in the middle ear. If the fluid behind the eardrum gets infected, it causes acute otitis media. The common symptoms include earache, fever, nausea, or sometimes ear-discharge.

·      Otitis Media with Effusion (OME)

This infection is common in children. The bacteria or virus is not involved in otitis media with effusion (fluid buildup) in the middle ear. It usually occurs when fluid buildup persists in the middle ear even after an infection gets better. A blockage in the Eustachian tube may also cause OME.

·      Chronic Otitis Media with Effusion (COME)

When the fluid in the middle ear remains trapped for a longer period –more than three months, it transforms into Chronic Otitis Media With Effusion. Children with COME are vulnerable to other ear infections and may lead to hearing problems.

·      Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media (CSOM)

If an infection does not go away with regular medication, it may result in a hole in the eardrum.

There is no particular symptom to suggest if a person is suffering from a chronic ear infection. People with chronic ear infections report hearing problems. They may respond late or experience difficulty in speaking or reading.

Treatment

If your ear infection is not going away on its own, it’s time to seek medical help. For OME, the American Academy of Otolaryngology does not recommend antibiotics, decongestants, or antihistamines. Antibiotics may work in case of an acute ear infection.

For treating chronic ear infection, you may try one of these options:

  • Flush out the ear wax with dry mopping –of course with a doctor’s help.
  • Over-the-counter pain killers and fever reducers may help with an ear infection too.
  • Antibiotic drops may be effective if the infection has ruptured your eardrum, or has made a hole in the middle ear.
  • Excess use of antibiotics may adversely affect your ears.

Bottom Line

If your ear infection is persistent and is recurring, you should visit an ENT specialist immediately. Contact us today and book an appointment with the best Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) doctor in NYC.

The Problem With Polyps

Your nose can suffer from a variety of health problems. You can have sinusitis. You may get a cold or another infection. You can also suffer from something called nasal polyps.

What Are Nasal Polyps?

Polyps are small, soft growths (tumors) that attach themselves to the walls of their target surface using small stems. Nasal polyps attach themselves to the linings of your nose. They resemble grapes, particularly if they cluster together and hang down into the nasal passageway or sinuses. They may be miniscule or as large as a grape. However, even though polyps are tumors it is extremely rare for nasal polyps to be malignant.

The Causes of Polyps

The medical professionals and scientists are not precisely sure of the causes of polyps. They do know, however, you stand a higher chance of getting them under certain conditions. They are common if you suffer from chronically inflamed sinuses. The inflammation can be the result of several conditions including:

  • Allergies
  • Asthma
  • Drug sensitivity
  • Some immune disorders such as
  • Recurring infection
  • Polyps may often accompany common cases of chronic sinusitis. The symptoms or results are similar to those connected with colds and sinus infections or sinusitis.

Results of Polyps

This will block your nasal and sinus cavities. In turn, this means:

    • Congestion
    • Runny nose
    • Difficulty in breathing through your nose
    • Impaired sense of smell
    • Decrease sense of taste
    • A sensation of pressure in your forehead, face and/or upper teeth

The problem with polyps is increased if they are large in scope. This results in:

Blockage of the natural draining process of your nasal passages
Increased growth – even an overgrowth of bacteria, in your nasal cavities
The sometimes excruciating pain of a sinus infection
Fortunately, there are ways to treat the medical problem.

Treatment of Polyps

If you have nasal polyps, the best treatment is one that shrinks them. Elimination is best, but reducing their size will alleviate many of the problems of polyps. The initial approach undertaken by an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist is medication. He or she will probably prescribe corticosteroids, including

    • Beclomethasone
    • Budesonide
    • Ciclesonide
    • Fluticasone
    • Flunisolide
    • Mometasone
    • Triamcinolone

You can try them first in a nasal spray form. If this proves ineffective, your doctor may recommend oral or injectable versions of the drug treatment. Only if these methods fail and the problem persists, causing severe problems will your ENT recommend surgery.

Contact us at 212-867-4813 to schedule a consultation

How Serious Are Ear Infections?

Ear infections – they can cause problems for anyone of any age. Children commonly get them. They arrive with earaches, sore throats and a stuffy nose. In the United States, ear infections account for approximately half of all prescriptions written for antibiotics for children.

What Are Ear Infections?

Ear infections are common and treatable conditions that can negatively affect the ability of you to hear. It may occur in the space behind the eardrum or in the skin of the ear canal. The most common type of ear infection for adults and children is otitis media.Ear infections can be categorized as acute or chronic. Acute ear infections are generally short if painful.

They do not last for more than a few days. Chronic ear infections, however, are of longer duration. They may last a month or adopt a pattern of short but repetitive durations. In other words, a chronic ear infection is one that simply refuses to leave and may permanently recur.

Causes and Treatment of Ear Infections

The most common type of ear infection is otitis media. It occurs when the middle ear swells and is infected. In many cases, the problem will clear up in a short period without requiring medical attention. Yet, in other instances, particularly if the problem is chronic, your ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist will have to consider your options. This is true for all types of ear infections.

The culprit of infection may be a bacteria or a virus. Determining which causes it is important. It will determine what means of treatment your ENT specialist can employ. If you suffer from a bacterial ear infection, your doctor will prescribe an antibiotic. This should prove to be effective against the problem. However, if the source of your ear infection is viral, he or she will have to adopt another approach.

Why Is Treatment Necessary?

If you fail to address an ear infection, the result can be serious problems. Complications can follow what starts out as a simple ear infection. These include:

  • Hearing loss – although this can be short term during and following an ear infection, it can be more permanent if the problem is left untreated
  • Eardrum puncture
  • Facial nerve paralysis
  • Meningitis
  • Mastoiditis – a rare inflammation of those bone adjacent to the ear and around the skull)
  • Meniere’s disease in adults

While it is true that many ear infections disappear in a short time without any indication of damages, it is important to monitor the condition. If you have an earache, make sure you talk to your doctor and follow his or her directions. If it becomes chronic ear infections, talk to an ENT. They are specialists in this field and can provide you with the help you need to ensure your simple ear infection does not evolve into a more serious condition.

Contact us at 212-867-4813 to schedule a consultation

Does Your Child Have Too Many Ear Infections? Here’s When to Get Help

In some situations, parents worry about ear infections because they tend to happen all of the time. Children who experience ear infections on a regular basis may need more advanced care. Ultimately, if your child is experiencing ear infections one after another, or multiple times a year, it is important to bring him or her into a specialist. By working with our ENT doctor, you can determine if the amount or frequency of these infections is worrisome and warrants taking additional steps.

Does Your Child Keep Getting Ear Infections?

Often times, children will experience ear infections quite readily. If they have an ear infection that keeps coming back, it is important to understand the underlying causes if there is one and to take steps to prevent those risks. For example, children who have them frequently should not be around people who smoke. They should also not go to bed with a bottle because this can lead to an increased level of risk.

In some cases, doctors will recommend that there are more advanced treatments needed when a child has five or six ear infections of the middle ear in a year. If this does happen, or medications do not seem to help, your child may need more advanced care. The most common option is to have a surgical tube inserted in the ear. This is a surgical procedure that will place a small tube for ventilation in the eardrum. It works to improve the amount of air flowing in and out of the year. And, ultimately, it works to prevent a fluid backup from occurring. This fluid backup is very commonly the cause of the ear infections for many children.

The tubes will stay in place in the year for six to nine months. Generally, they will remain present until they fall out. If, after they fall out, the child no longer suffers from the repeated ear infections, they may not need additional tubes. If they do, though, they may need to have the procedure again.

Keep in mind that the tubes themselves do not prevent the ear infections. Proper care and taking steps to prevent ear infections can ultimately be the best option for overcoming this risk.

When children need a specialized level of care, contact our ENT doctor in New York at 212-867-4813. Let us help you resolve your child’s ear pain.

Ear Infection

Ear infections are the most common childhood infection requiring antibiotics, and Dr. Michael Burnett, one of New York’s top Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) doctors, sees many patients in his practice who developed inflammation or infection of the middle ear. A middle ear infection refers to an infection that affects the ear drums, and frequently begins with another type of respiratory infection, like a cold or a sore throat, that is the result of a virus or a bacteria that infects those areas before spreading to the middle ear. Otitis media is the medical term for this infection, and it refers to inflammation of the middle ear, but typically this term is also used to denote middle ear infections and inflammation.

Ear Infection, or Otitis Media

Acute otitis media will develop rapidly, but it rarely lasts for longer than a few days. Patients with otitis media will have pain and sometimes experience fever. Dr. Michael Burnett may examine your ear and find signs of fluid that are accumulating in the middle ear, and your eardrum may appear to bulge when it is examined with an otoscope. Sometimes, otitis media can result in a bulging eardrum or a perforation of the ear drum, which results in drainage of pus from the middle ear.

Patients who visit Dr. Michael Burnett with chronic otitis media may have developed inflammation in the middle ear that has persisted for at least a month. Chronic otitis media is the result of fluid buildup behind the ear drum, or tympanic membrane, during an episode of acute otitis media. The pressure from chronic otitis media can result in continuing damage to the eardrum and to the middle ear. Patients who have chronic otitis media may experience a small amount of hearing loss, and they may have had pressure in the ear, or popping, for an extended period of time.

Ear Infection in Children

About 75% of American children will experience otitis media at least one time before they reach the age of three years old. Children may complain of pain in the ear, but sometimes younger children may simply appear to be irritable and fussy, and may be having difficulties feeding or sleeping. Many times, fever occurs, and the symptoms of an ear infection are frequently seen in children who have signs of other upper respiratory infections, including runny nose or cough. Ear infections aren’t contagious, although the colds or other infections that accompany the ear infection may be contagious.

Young children get ear infections frequently because the canal that runs between the middle ear and the back of the nose and throat, known as the Eustachian tube, is shorter in young children, which allows pathogenic bacteria and viruses to easily enter the middle ear and cause an infection. Treatment depends upon the age of the child, and the certainty of the diagnosis. Some children may continue to have recurrent episodes of otitis media, and may need to have a tube placed to drain fluid from the middle ear.

If you or your child is suffering from recurrent or persistent symptoms of otitis media, call us at 212-867-4813 or email us today to make an appointment for an evaluation with Dr. Michael Burnett, New York’s top ENT doctor.

 

Michael C. Burnett, MD

115 East 57th Street
(Between Park + Lexington Ave.)
Suite 600
New York, NY 10022

212-867-4813