We offer a comprehensive range of services for adults and children, including outpatient consultations, surgery, and specialist investigations.
Some of the most common ear conditions ENT South West treat include:
What are the common ear conditions?
Common ear conditions include:
- Ear infections: Ear infections are inflammation of the middle ear, caused by bacteria or viruses. They are most common in children, but can affect people of all ages. Symptoms include ear pain, fever, and drainage from the ear.
- Earwax blockages: Earwax is a natural substance that helps protect the ear canal, but too much earwax can build up and cause blockages. Symptoms include ear fullness, hearing loss, and ringing in the ear.
- Glue ear: Glue ear, also known as otitis media with effusion (OME), is a condition in which fluid builds up in the middle ear. It is most common in children, but can affect people of all ages. Symptoms include ear fullness, hearing loss, and difficulty understanding speech.
- Hearing loss: Hearing loss is the partial or total inability to hear. It can be caused by aging, noise exposure, disease, or genetics. Symptoms include difficulty hearing conversation, especially in noisy environments, and asking people to repeat themselves.
- Tinnitus: Tinnitus is ringing or buzzing in the ears. It can be caused by exposure to loud noise, earwax blockages, or certain medical conditions. Symptoms include ringing, buzzing, or other noises in the ears.
How do ear conditions affect people?
Ear conditions can have a significant impact on a person's quality of life. They can cause pain, discomfort, hearing loss, and difficulty communicating with others. Ear conditions can also lead to social isolation and depression.
Common conditions and problems for people with ear conditions:
- Pain
- Discomfort
- Hearing loss
- Difficulty communicating with others
- Social isolation
- Depression
Why do people get ear conditions?
There are many causes of ear conditions, including:
- Bacteria and viruses: Bacteria and viruses can cause ear infections and tinnitus.
- Earwax: Too much earwax can cause blockages and hearing loss.
- Fluid buildup: Fluid buildup in the middle ear can cause glue ear.
- Aging: Hearing loss is a common side effect of aging.
- Noise exposure: Exposure to loud noise can damage the hair cells in the inner ear, leading to hearing loss and tinnitus.
- Disease: Certain diseases, such as meningitis, measles, and otosclerosis, can cause hearing loss and tinnitus.
- Genetics: Some people are born with ear conditions due to genetic defects.
Genetics, lifestyle, and disease:
Genetics, lifestyle, and disease can all play a role in the development of ear conditions.
- Genetics: Some people are born with ear conditions due to genetic defects.
- Lifestyle: Exposure to loud noise and smoking can increase the risk of hearing loss and tinnitus.
- Disease: Certain diseases, such as meningitis, measles, and otosclerosis, can cause hearing loss and tinnitus.
Who gets ear conditions?
Ear conditions can affect people of all ages, but they are more common in children and older adults. Children are at increased risk for ear infections because their eustachian tubes are shorter and narrower than adults' eustachian tubes. This makes it easier for bacteria and viruses to enter the middle ear. Older adults are more at risk for hearing loss and tinnitus due to the aging process.
How are ear conditions diagnosed?
To diagnose ear conditions, Mr Khatwa will perform a physical examination and ask about the person's medical history. Mr Khatwa may also order tests, such as a hearing test or an otoscopy (examination of the ear canal and eardrum).
Hearing test: A hearing test is a painless procedure that measures the person's hearing ability at different frequencies and volumes.
Otoscopy: An otoscopy is a procedure in which Mr Khatwa uses a lighted instrument to examine the ear canal and eardrum.
Diagnosis and treatment:
Once Mr Khatwa has diagnosed an ear condition, they will develop a treatment plan. The treatment plan will depend on the type of ear condition and its severity.
Treatment options for ear conditions:
Common treatment options for ear conditions include:
- Ear infections: Ear infections are usually treated with antibiotics.
- Earwax blockages: Earwax blockages can be treated with over-the-counter earwax removal drops, ear irrigation (flushing the ear canal with water), or manual earwax removal by Mr Khatwa.
- Glue ear: Glue ear often clears up on its own without treatment, but in some cases, medication or surgery may be necessary.
- Hearing loss: Hearing loss cannot be cured, but there are treatments that can help people with hearing loss communicate more effectively and improve their quality of life, such as hearing aids and cochlear implants.
- Tinnitus: Tinnitus cannot be cured, but there are treatments that can help people manage.
If you think you may have an ear condition, get in touch with us so we can diagnose your condition and develop a treatment plan that is right for you.
