Vertigo and Dizziness

Ear Infections and Disorders

When an ear disorder causes pain, imbalance, dizziness or hearing loss, quality of life can be severely impacted. ENT and Allergy Specialists can diagnose your ear issue, treat the problem and help you find relief. In most cases medical treatment can resolve the problem without surgery. When surgery is necessary, we have the expertise to perform minimally invasive procedures, and relieve the problem safely and with little or no discomfort.

Ear Infections

An ear infection usually occurs when mucus creates a blockage and fluid buildup in the Eustachian tubes in the middle ear. This blockage can be caused by colds, allergies, sinus infections, tobacco smoking, or infected or swollen adenoids. Ear pain and fever are common symptoms. Mild ear infections may clear up on their own in a few days. However, if symptoms get worse or do not improve, it’s best to see your doctor.  Antibiotics may be prescribed. In some cases, if ear infections are a frequent problem, your specialist may recommend surgery to place tubes in the ears, or to remove enlarged adenoids.

Dizziness

Dizziness

The sensation of feeling dizzy can be different for each person. It may be a feeling of lightheadedness, movement, spinning or imbalance. While the causes of dizziness or imbalance are many, some can be related to problems with the inner ear, including vertigo, infections, and Meniere’s disease and migraine headaches. Your ENT specialists may perform diagnostic tests including hearing exams, blood tests, and imaging studies, or tests of the vestibular system, which helps control balance and spatial orientation.

If your dizziness is accompanied by a fever, severe headache, vomiting, chest pain, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, problems moving the limbs, slurred speech, vision or hearing loss, it is critical to see a doctor immediately, or go to the nearest emergency room.

Tinnitus

While many patients with Tinnitus describe it as a ringing in the ears, Tinnitus can also cause the sensation of buzzing, roaring, hissing, clicking, whistling and other sounds. Usually, Tinnitus is a sign of an underlying condition, ranging from damage to the middle or inner ear, to age-related hearing loss, a reaction to medications, and a range of medical conditions. Learn more about Tinnitus here.

Hearing Loss

Hearing loss is a condition that can be very obvious, or hardly noticeable. It can be caused by long-term exposure to loud sounds, illness, injuries, medical conditions and certain medications, as well as the natural aging process. The ENT and Allergy Specialists team of physicians, Audiologists and Hearing Aid Specialists can diagnose the cause of your hearing issues, and recommend the best treatments or hearing aids to help improve your hearing and quality of life. Learn more about hearing loss and our hearing aid services.

Perforated Eardrum

The eardrum is a thin membrane that separates the ear canal and the middle ear. Sometimes this membrane can rupture, or a hole can form in it. This is called a perforated eardrum and can be caused by an infection, injury to the ear such as an object penetrating the ear, a skull fracture, a sudden, loud sound or explosion, or changes in air pressure that can occur when flying in an airplane or swimming deep under water. Common symptoms are pain, hearing loss, and drainage of fluid from the ear. A perforated ear drum can heal on its own if the ear is kept dry. Your specialist may also prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection. If the perforation is severe, surgical repair may be recommended