Ear wax or wax impaction (impacted cerumen) is a common ear condition, that can cause decreased hearing or extreme ear pain, especially after swimming or shower. The treatment is simple and requires removal. The ear wax is removed with a specialized equipment, skilled hands and the procedure is painless at our clinic.
Dr ENT Recommends : It is advisable not to use Q tips or ear buds for wax removal ,as they can push the wax deeper inside and lead to a complications. For easy wax removal
Ear block or clogged ear can result from disorders of the external ear canal, the ear drum, the middle ear or inner ear. The characteristic feature is crackling sounds in the ear ,echo sounds in ear or muffled hearing .This condition is commonly observed in deep sea divers ,marines and individuals working in the aviation industry. If the clogged ear lasts for more than 24 hours ,it should be professionally examined.
Dr ENT Recommends : Properly drying of both ears after a swim or shower .A clogged or blocked ear can significantly affect the quality of life and daily routine, so if prolonged , it is highly recommended to consult an ENT Specialist.
Ear pain ,also known as otalgia or earache, is a common ear condition, especially among children. It can be concerning, especially when it comes with fever or ear discharge .It may effect one or both ears and at times, the pain can be so intense that it wakes you up at night..
Dr ENT Recommends : If you experience ear pain along with ear discharge, severe itching and hearing loss, and if the pain doesn’t subside, it is highly recommended to consult an ENT Specialist.
Ear swelling is a matter of concern in children as well as in adults. Swellings can be present in front of the ear, back of the ear as well as inside of the ear, all of these are extremely painful. It can be caused by infection(bacterial or viral) or trauma or secondary to some medical conditions. The ear swelling unresolved can cause difficulty in opening mouth(trismus) and difficulty in chewing the food.
Dr ENT Recommends If the swelling is in the back of the ear(Acute Mastoiditis) or due to trauma/sports injury(boxers ear), immediately rush to the ENT clinic, it can be an emergency situation.
The condition, also known as otorrhea or “runny ears,” is characterized by fluid coming out of ear canal. This fluid can be a transparent or foul smelling or a thick. It is typically caused by an infection in the external ear or the middle ear, often associated with a hole in the ear drum (otitis media with perforation). The colour of the discharge may be cloudy, yellow or greenish, but it can also be clear and watery or even tinged with blood, indicating potential serious issue.
Dr ENT Recommends that if you observe a discharge from the ear that is blood tinged , yellowish or greenish you should consider it as an ominous sign. In such cases we strongly advise seeking an urgent consultation an ENT Specialist for prompt management.
Hearing is one of the five special senses crucial for physical and mental wellbeing of a person. Any compromise in hearing can disrupt one’s quality of life. Hearing loss can result from issues in the external ear, the middle ear or the inner ear and occasionally it may be related to brain disorders.
Dr ENT Recommends that hearing problems can be quite bothersome if ignored. Therefore , we strongly advise seeking an urgent ENT consultation for prompt management.
Itching in the ears is a symptom and not a disease itself. The most common causes of itchy ears are nervous habits, ear wax, fungal infections or the early stages of an infection. Other potential causes include skin conditions like psoriasis or dermatitis, as well as metal or cosmetic allergies that can cause ear itching.
Itchy ears can also be a symptom of swimmer’s ear or otitis externa which is characterized by swelling, severe pain, Itching and even hearing loss.
Dr ENT strongly advises against using dry ear buds or q-tips, as they remove the protective layer of the skin in the ear canal, making the ear more susceptible to both bacterial and fungal infections, which can lead to pain and swelling .Timely medical treatment and ear cleaning by an ENT Specialist are essential for proper treatment.
Tinnitus ,often described as ringing noise in the ears, is the perception of sounds that have no external source. This ,means only the person experiencing it can hear it, and it is not audible to others. People often linen tinnitus to humming, buzzing, roaring sound or whistle in the ear.
Moreover, the tinnitus can be so bothersome that it disrupts sleep at night and affects both physical and mental wellbeing of the person . The causes of tinnitus vary and can include common issues like ear wax, problems in ear canal ,middle ear or inner ear disorders, and in some cases, even tumours of the inner ear (such as acoustic neuroma/vestibular schwannoma).Other causes include repeated exposure to loud noise, Meniere’s Disease(associated with hearing loss and spinning) and stress.
Dr ENT Strongly Recommends that if you are experiencing tinnitus or ringing in your ear, which can sometimes be a symptom of hidden issue in the inner ear or brain, you should seek a proper ENT evaluation and management for best course of action.
Hearing loss is common caused by repeated exposure to loud noise, aging, diseases, medications and genetic factors. It can be attributed to problems in the ear canal(like wax blockage),middle ear(such as ruptured ear drum or otitis media) or inner ear.
Medical conditions like heart problems, strokes ,brain injuries or tumours can impact one’s hearing.
Certain medications, used for treating infections, cancer, or heart diseases have a potential to harm the inner ear, sometimes causing permanent damage.
Hearing loss is categorized into three types: Conductive hearing loss affecting the outer or middle air. Sensorineural hearing loss involving the hearing nerve or inner ear and Mixed hearing loss, as the name suggests, combination of the two.
Dr ENT Recommends Early diagnosis , thorough examination and hearing tests, particularly for sudden (sensorineural) hearing loss. In cases like these, prompt action can preserve hearing, while delays may lead to irreversible hearing loss and permanent disability.
'Bleeding ear' can be a frightening sight for both children as well as adults. Ear bleeds can occur as a result of an ear infection or from injury caused by inserting sharp objects or fingernails into the ears, ear trauma ,ruptured ear drums, or very rarely ear cancer.
Dr ENT Strongly Recommends that if bleeding is fresh and not controlled immediately, it is crucial to consult ENT Specialist as soon possible.
Dizziness or giddiness encompasses to a range of sensations, including feeling faint, woozy, weak or unsteady. It can create the false perception that either you or your surroundings are spinning or moving.
Dizziness is a common reason to seek medical help ,as frequent dizzy spells or constant dizziness can significantly disrupt daily life.
It’s important to understand that the human ear serves two functions: hearing and balance.
Dizziness or giddiness can stem from various ear-related disorders, especially inner ear issues like vertigo and BPPV( Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo),Meniere’s Disease(comes in attacks),Labyrinthitis’s(an infection or inflammation of inner ear),Vestibular Neuritis(Infection of balance nerve)and tumours of inner ear or brain .Other potential causes include neurological problems migraines, changes in the blood pressure or underlying medical conditions such as anaemia, low blood sugar, dehydration, motion sickness and certain medications. Additionally anxiety and stress can also contribute to dizziness.
Dr ENT strongly advises seeking early diagnosis and prompt treatment for dizziness, as it can greatly impact a person’s health and wellbeing. If you experience recurrent, sudden, severe or prolonged dizziness, seek emergency medical care immediately.
Providing ENT care for the elderly demands a special expertise and gentle touch, something they truly deserve . Let’s begin by looking at some common age related ear disorders. The most prevalent is presbycusis, which is age related hearing loss. It tends to occur after age of 65,affecting more than 50% of people aged over 75. Obtaining an early diagnosis and offering hearing amplification can significantly enhance the quality of life for the elderly, especially when they need it the most. Other disorders include dryness in the ears and frequent fungal infections.
Moving to the nose, it often becomes congested with age. Dryness and crustiness of the nose can also occur, leading to loss of smell With growing age as the nose becomes stuffy. Bleeding is also common complaint.
Regarding the throat ,the elderly often complain of dry mouth and frequent throat clearing due to dryness. Their voice may become hoarse or weak, a condition known as presbylarynx .The condition results from age related atrophy of soft tissues in the voice box, leading to a weaker voice and reduced vocal range and stamina.
Dr ENT strongly recommends a baseline hearing test for all individuals aged 65 and above. This not only ensures good quality of life but also promotes the mental well being of the elderly.