Ear
Earwax Removal
Earwax (cerumen) is a yellowish waxy substance produced by healthy ears. Earwax protects the ear from bacteria, water and foreign particles. It also assists in the cleaning and lubrication of the ear canal. Usually, excess wax is removed from the ear canal naturally. If a buildup does occur, the earwax will become hard and block…
Earache
What Causes Earaches? Ear pain, commonly referred to as an earache, is a common complaint and can result from infection, poor pressure adjustment within the ear or arthritis of the jaw. Other causes include ear trauma, perforated eardrum, sinus infection, excess buildup of earwax, sore throat, tooth infection, and a foreign object in the ear. What Are…
Swimmer’s Ear
When water becomes trapped in the ear, bacteria can cause inflammation and infection of the ear canal. This painful affliction is known as swimmer’s ear and can occur following exposure to any moist environment. It is most common in children and teenagers, individuals with eczema and diabetes, and anybody with excess earwax. What Causes Swimmer’s…
Ear Tubes
If you’re a parent, it probably comes as no surprise that middle ear infections are common in children, particularly those between the ages of six months and two years. Infrequently, ear infections can even persist into adulthood. Known as otitis media, these are caused by a number of factors, both physical and environmental. Most ear…
Eardrum Perforation
An eardrum perforation is defined as a hole or rupture in the eardrum. This tear occurs in the membrane separating your outer ear from your middle ear. A perforation can lead to a middle ear infection and possible hearing loss, though in many cases it will heal on its own without medical treatment. What Can…
Cholesteatoma
Cholesteatoma is an abnormal skin growth in the middle ear behind the eardrum that may also affect the mastoid (skull bone). It begins as a cyst that gradually increases in size, destroying the bones of the middle ear and causing hearing loss. What Causes Cholesteatoma? When the Eustachian tube is functioning normally, it equalizes ear pressure…
Otosclerosis
Otosclerosis is an abnormal growth of bone in the middle ear that causes hearing loss. It typically begins in the early 20s, and is the leading cause of middle ear hearing loss in young adults. Some notice their hearing loss symptoms at a young age, while others may not notice the hearing loss affecting their lives…
Hearing & Balance
The vestibular system is located in the inner ear and is responsible for your sense of balance, detecting movements to provide awareness of spatial orientation. What many don’t know is there is a link between hearing and balance; multiple studies have confirmed that untreated hearing loss is linked with imbalance and falls. A 2012 study…
Ear Foreign Bodies
Foreign bodies in the ear can occur in children and even adults. Foreign bodies refer to any object that is either placed in the ear canal or is embedded in the earlobe, when it is not meant to be there. These could cause harm without medical attention. Items commonly found in the ear canal can…
