Ear Problems

Ear Tubes

Ear tubes are small tubes made out of plastic or metal that are placed into the ear drum to ventilate the middle ear. The middle ear is, under normal circumstances, filled with air at the same pressure as the surrounding atmosphere. The pressure is maintained at this normal level by a natural tube called the Eustachian tube. If the Eustachian tube is not functioning properly, it will not open. This causes the pressure in the middle ear to drop, and fluid accumulation may lead to infection. Ear tubes are placed to break this cycle, allowing the ears to drain and to ventilate. Learn more.

Sudden Deafness

Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSHL), or sudden deafness, is a rapid loss of hearing. SSHL can happen to a person all at once or over a period of up to 3 days. It should be considered a medical emergency. A person who experiences SSHL should visit a doctor immediately. Learn more.

Tinnitus

The presence of tinnitus is a very common and annoying occurrence. It may be intermittent or constant in character, mild or severe in intensity, and vary from a low roar to a high-pitched type of sound. It may be subjective (audible only to the patient) or objective (audible to others). It may or may not be associated with hearing impairment. Tinnitus must always be thought of as a symptom and not a disease, just as pain in the arm or leg is a symptom and not a disease. Most often, disorders of the inner ear are to blame. Learn more.

Tympanoplasty: Repair of Ear Drum Perforation

Perforations of the eardrum, or tympanic membrane, can occur as a result of infections or trauma. Small perforations often heal on their own, but large perforations may require surgical repair. Surgery to reconstruct the tympanic membrane (tympanoplasty) is usually performed under general anesthesia. Learn more.