Otology (Ear)
About Otology
Otology is the study, diagnosis and treatment of ear disorders and diseases.
Hearing Loss
Hearing loss can occur in several ways. The most common form of hearing loss is called presbycusis, or age-related hearing loss, which is the natural decline in hearing function that happens gradually over the course of one’s life. Other less common processes include sudden hearing loss, congenital hearing loss, and physical types of hearing loss (conductive) from issues like a perforated ear drum or scar tissue inside the ear. Working with our audiology colleagues, our team will help perform a comprehensive ear and hearing assessment in order to determine one’s hearing function, the source of any hearing loss, and how to best address any present hearing loss. Surgeries may be recommended for conductive forms of hearing loss. If hearing aids are recommended, our affiliate Huntington Hearing Solutions provides exceptional hearing aid services for our patients.
Tinnitus
Tinnitus is defined as any internal sound that a patient perceives without an external source. Most often, it takes the form of a high-pitched ring, whine, buzz or whir, and occurs secondary to some form of hearing loss. Frequently recommended strategies include sound masking therapy, relaxation techniques, and addressing underlying hearing loss (if applicable). Hearing aids may be recommended with a tinnitus masking function as well, if appropriate. Less common forms include pulsatile tinnitus (hearing a heart beat-type sound in one’s ear) or musical tinnitus. Evaluations for tinnitus often include a comprehensive hearing test in order to determine the origins of the tinnitus and recommended management strategies.
Eustachian Tube Dysfunction
The eustachian tube is a structure that regulates pressure in our ears and connects the ears to the back of the nose. We all notice our eustachian tube working when our ears clog in a plane or at altitude and then pop. Chronic eustachian tube dysfunction can lead to a chronically clogged sensation in the ear, or overly frequent clicking and popping. It can be associated with environmental allergies, and is usually more bothersome in patients with underlying hearing loss. During an evaluation for chronic eustachian tube dysfunction, we will perform a thorough physical exam, usually obtain a formal hearing test, and discuss appropriate treatment options.
Vertigo
Vertigo is defined as a room-spinning sensation and can be a symptom of inner ear balance (vestibular) disorders. Common inner ear balance disorders include benign positional vertigo (BPV), endolymphatic hydrops/Meniere’s disease and vestibular neuritis. Similar but separate dizzy/disequilibrium symptoms can originate from other conditions such as labile blood pressure, cervical spine degeneration, dehydration, vision issues, lower extremity instability, and labile blood sugar, among others. Our team will obtain a comprehensive history of the symptoms in order to determine the most likely source(s), and possibly obtain further investigation studies such as a hearing assessment or balance test (VNG), before deciding on a treatment plan.
Ear Surgery
Surgeries may be recommended to address any physical (conductive) type of hearing loss. The most common types of these surgeries include the repair of holes in the ear drum (tympanoplasty) with or without reconstruction of the small chain of bones that bridge the ear drum to the inner ear (ossicular chain reconstruction). Surgically implanted hearing devices called bone anchored hearing aids (BAHAs) can also be recommended to patients with permanent forms of conductive hearing loss. Determination of recommended treatment plans includes comprehensive hearing testing, a detailed physical exam and sometimes imaging studies with a CT scan.
External Ear Conditions
The external ear, comprised of the visible ear (auricle), and ear canal, can harbor conditions like recurrent infections and chronic itchiness (pruritis). We will perform a thorough physical exam to make the diagnosis and determine an optimal management plan.