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The ear is made up of three different parts - the outer ear, middle ear and inner ear. Although infections can occur in any area, they are most common in the outer and middle ear.
Otitis externa is an infection of the outer ear and ear canal, and is also known as swimmer’s ear. In addition to ear pain, otitis externa can cause discharge, headaches, and temporary changes in hearing. Treatment usually involves removing any debris from the ear canal and administration of antibiotic ear drops.
Middle ear infections, also known as otitis media, are one of the most common childhood conditions, affecting mostly children between the ages of four months and five years. An infection occurs when middle ear fluid, often as a result of a cold or eustachian tube dysfunction, becomes infected by bacteria. Symptoms of otitis media include ear pain, fever, headache, dizziness and irritability.
Acute infections are treated with antibiotics and often anti-inflammatory medications as well. However, recurrent infections may require surgery for placement of a pressure equalization tube. We provide comprehensive treatment of external and middle ear infections at our Los Angeles office.
Exostosis, commonly referred to as surfer's ear, involves an abnormal bone growth within the ear canal that can narrow the canal and block the eardrum. This occurs as a reaction to the repeated exposure to cold wind and water often experienced while surfing or swimming. Patients with this condition often feel as though their ear is plugged. They may develop frequent infections and even hearing loss if bone growth is severe.
Effective treatment of surfer's ear is often achieved through surgical removal of the bony growth, which may be performed using minimally invasive techniques through the ear canal, or through incisions in the back of the ear. Patients should avoid any water activities for four to six weeks after surgery to allow for healing of the ear canal.
Tympanoplasty is a reconstructive surgical procedure performed to correct a tympanic membrane perforation (hole in the eardrum). Tympanic membrane perforations may occur as a result of infection or trauma to the eardrum. A tympanoplasty can help to restore hearing or prevent recurrent middle ear infections.
A tympanoplasty can be performed through either the ear canal or through an incision made behind the ear. Tympanic membrane grafting may be required, in which a graft is taken from either fat or a connective tissue called fascia from around the ear to reconstruct the eardrum. The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis in our Los Angeles area office under local or general anesthetic.
Hearing loss is the sudden or gradual decrease in how well you can hear sounds. Most commonly caused by age, hearing loss is a common condition that affects up to 25% of people between the ages of 65 and 75, and up to 75% of people over the age of 75. Hearing loss can be mild or severe and can be reversible, temporary or permanent.
Hearing loss is most frequently caused by age or excessively loud noise. Noise-induced hearing loss is gradual but can affect people of all ages. It is caused by loud noises, such as music, lawn mowers, and other machinery that you are exposed to over a long period of time. Age-related hearing loss, known as presbycusis, refers to changes in the inner ear or cochlea which cause gradual hearing loss. Hearing loss can also be caused by many other conditions, including wax buildup, a foreign body in the ear canal, an injury or ruptured eardrum, or a middle or inner ear infection.
Common symptoms of hearing loss include muffled hearing, not understanding what people are saying and the feeling that your ear is obstructed. Other symptoms can include ringing, hissing or buzzing in the ear. It is important to talk to your doctor if you have from any of these symptoms. As part of our exam, your doctor may use a tuning fork to test your basic hearing. If hearing loss is indicated, a more detailed audiologic test may be performed.
Hearing loss can have a major effect on your daily life and make it harder for you to interact with others. It can also affect your personal safety. Treatment for hearing loss depends on the cause of the problem. The most common treatment method is the use of a hearing aid, a small device with a microphone to gather sounds and an amplifier to increase their volume. Simply removing ear wax can eliminate hearing loss for some patients. Our doctors at Southern California Head and Neck will work with you to determine the most effective hearing loss treatment for your individual condition. We have a separate facility for hearing loss rehabilitation at Ocean Hearing Care.
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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