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Tinnitus is a symptom involving phantom noises such as ringing or buzzing in the ears that affects nearly one out of every five Americans at some point in their life. Although common, tinnitus can be difficult to treat, and may be caused by an underlying condition or damage to the structures within the inner ear. We provide comprehensive diagnostic and treatment services for tinnitus in our Los Angeles area office.
The sensations of ringing, buzzing, clicking or hissing associated with tinnitus are phantom sounds only heard by the patient. Noises can vary in volume from very soft to loud, are typically high-pitched, and can occur in one or both ears. Most cases of tinnitus are referred to as subjective, in which only the patient can hear these sounds as a a result of problems in the outer, middle or inner ear. Rare cases in which sounds can be heard by the doctor, known as objective tinnitus, can occur as a result of blood vessel abnormalities.
Tinnitus is most often caused by acoustic trauma to the inner ear over time, in which the inner ear cells transmit an impulse to the cochlear nerve in the absence of an external stimulus, resulting in the brain perceiving that a sound has been heard. Other causes of tinnitus include age-related hearing loss, exposure to loud noise and earwax blockage. Stress, depression and head or neck injuries can also lead to tinnitus. An audiogram can be helpful in differentiating routine cases of tinnitus from those caused by a more serious underlying condition, such as a brain tumor.
Treatment of tinnitus depends on the cause of the problem. After a thorough evaluation of each patient's individual condition, your doctor will be able to develop an appropriate treatment approach, which may include a change in medication, vitamin supplement, dietary adjustments, avoiding alcohol and caffeine or other methods. If you suffer from symptoms of tinnitus, talk to your doctor to discuss your treatment options.
A balance disorder will often present as feelings of unsteadiness and wooziness, or sensations of spinning, moving, floating or falling. The inner ear interacts with other organs in the body, such as the eyes and brain, as well as proprioception, or the sensation in the extremities and joints to maintain balance. Problems within the vestibular (inner ear), brain or other parts of the nervous system can cause balance problems, which affect millions of people in the US each year.
Treatment for a balance disorder depends on its cause. Treating the underlying cause can eliminate balance problems for many people. For others, balance rehabilitation therapy and lifestyle changes can help dramatically relieve symptoms. Rarely, surgery may be indicated for patients with specific disorders that affect the inner ear. Effective managment of balance disorders can often be achieved by working together with one of our experienced doctors in our Los Angeles area office.
The mastoid bone is the posterior part of the temporal bone, and is made up of air cells that connect with the middle ear. Untreated infections within the middle ear may spread to the mastoid bone, causing symptoms such as fever, tenderness and bulging behind the ear. This type of infection, known as mastoiditis, occurs most commonly in children, but can affect patients of all ages. Mastoid infections can usually be treated with antibiotics administered either orally or intravenously. For severe cases, surgery to place a pressure equalization tube in the ear drum or a mastoidectomy to remove the infected area of bone may be recommended.
Bell's palsy, or idiopathic facial paralysis, is a disorder of the facial nerve that can result in temporary or permanent facial paralysis. Thousands of people in the US are diagnosed with Bell's palsy each year, which most commonly affects adults around the age of 40 and those with diabetes or upper respiratory ailments.
Bell's palsy is caused by an inflammation of the facial nerve, usually from a viral infection. The portion of the facial nerve within the skull becomes swollen, and is unable to properly transmit nerve impulses to the facial muscles, resulting in a loss of voluntary muscle control and partial or full paralysis. A number of different viruses can cause Bell's palsy. If infected, you may experience a sudden paralysis or weakness of some or all of the muscles on one side of the face, as well as other symptoms such as:
Symptoms of Bell's palsy may resolve quickly or may result in partial or total facial paralysis that can become permanent. The prognosis for each patient's individual condition is dependent on the timeliness of evaluation and treatment, as Bell's palsy produces a sudden onset of symptoms that requires prompt medical attention. Treatment typically includes anti-inflammatory and anti-viral medications.
Otolaryngologists Dr. Robert John Adair, M.D., Dr. Robert J. Andrews, M.D., Dr. David M. Butler, M.D., Dr. Brian Lee, M.D., and Dr. Chipp St. Kevin Miller, M.D., serving Santa Monica, Los Angeles and the surrounding area.
Southern California Head and Neck Medical Group | 1301 20th Street | Suite 300 | Santa Monica, CA 90404 | 310-829-7792 | www.headneck.com
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