Chronic Ear Diseases and Conditions

Our ears are incredibly complex.

Any noise (loud or soft, near or far) is picked up and interpreted at lightning speed, yet if any section of our ears isn’t working quite right, it can have a huge impact on our hearing ability. While hearing loss can take many forms, it’s essential for this intricate pathway to function correctly.

Ear Infections

An ear infection is a condition that affects both children and adults; it occurs when the middle ear is contaminated by a virus or bacteria. Located just behind the eardrum, the middle ear can become inflamed or build up fluid, both of which can create pain. An ear infection involves the blockage of the eustachian tubes caused by a cold, allergies, smoking, or problems with the adenoids.

To diagnose an ear infection, or another condition based on the symptoms you describe and an exam, the practitioner will likely use a lighted instrument (an otoscope) to look at the ears, throat and nasal passage.

Ear infections can present a variety of symptoms, including drainage, hearing loss, pain or pressure in the ear, and fussiness in young children. In many cases, ear infections are acute and clear up without much complication, however for recurring infections or ones that are extremely painful, we recommend making an appointment with our office.

Swimmer’s Ear

Similar in several ways to an ear infection, swimmer’s ear occurs when bacteria grow inside of the ear canal and causes an infection. It’s often experienced by individuals who swim and have water that remains in their ears, creating the ideal conditions for the bacteria to flourish. However, other actions can cause swimmer’s ear, including putting cotton swabs or other objects into the ear canal and damaging the skin inside.

At first, the symptoms of swimmer’s ear aren’t extreme, but can worsen over time if left untreated. You may notice a bit of itching or drainage accompanied by a slight redness inside of the ear. Sometimes mild pain is also present when pressing on your ear. These symptoms could continue to become more noticeable as the infection progresses, so be sure to visit our office for the relief you need.

Meniere's Disease

Meniere’s disease is an inner ear disease that can cause pressure or pain in one ear. Meniere’s disease is more likely to affect people in their 40s and 50s and is a chronic condition with no cure.

Severe cases present symptoms such as:

  • Dizziness or vertigo
  • Hearing loss
  • A ringing or roaring noise, also known as tinnitus

Symptoms vary from person to person, and some will experience pressure in the ear, vertigo, hearing loss and tinnitus. Many attacks may occur over a period of several days, and others will have an isolated attack. There are various treatment strategies that will relieve Meniere’s disease symptoms.

Potential causes of Meniere’s disease include:

  • Head injury
  • Infection to the inner or middle ear
  • Allergies
  • Alcohol use
  • Stress
  • Side effects of certain medications
  • Smoking
  • Stress or anxiety
  • Fatigue
  • Family history of the disease
  • Respiratory infection
  • Recent viral illness
  • Abnormal immune response
  • Migraines

There are stages of Meniere’s disease, and the treatment options will depend on what symptoms you experience. Since all these issues can stand alone or be associated with other diseases, Meniere’s can sometimes be very difficult to diagnose.

Dizziness and Imbalance

People who experience dizzy spells may be surprised to learn that the bodily systems responsible for our balance are located inside of our ears. The ears are regulated by the semicircular canals, which is an elaborate inner ear structure that works with our visual and skeletal system. Together, these innerworkings allow us to maintain balance, especially when the head is moving.

Dizziness often occurs with other symptoms, like:

  • Hearing loss
  • Nausea
  • Anxiety
  • Pressure in your head and ears
  • Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)

Dizziness can be a symptom of other disorders, such as:

  • Vestibular disorders (problems in the inner ear)
  • Reaction to medication
  • Disorders in the central nervous system, the brainstem or brain
  • Cardiovascular problems such as high blood pressure or anemia
  • Infection, either bacterial or viral

The causes for dizziness or balance issues can vary considerably. It’s best to visit an audiologist for a thorough evaluation so you can gain a better understanding of your specific condition and what is necessary for treatment. In some cases, rehabilitative exercises are enough to improve the patient’s condition, whereas in other instances, additional care from other physicians might be required, as the dizziness is caused by another medical condition. You can read more about balance disorders here.

Tinnitus

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, over 50 million Americans are thought to have tinnitus with many individuals not knowing how to get relief from this plaguing condition. Tinnitus occurs when the auditory system picks up the presence of noise without there actually being any outside sounds. This noise can take the form of roaring, ringing, or whistling, and might be loud or soft. Many times, tinnitus is most noticeable and frustrating before bed when an individual’s environment is quiet and calm.

Tinnitus can be difficult to understand because its cause can be as elusive as its cure. Tinnitus is not a disease, but instead a symptom that something is wrong in the ear, the auditory nerve, and/or the parts of the brain that process sound. Something as simple as a piece of earwax blocking the ear canal can cause tinnitus. There are several other possible causes of tinnitus, however many are unknown.

Unfortunately, there is no known cause of tinnitus and currently, no cure. However, relief is possible through a variety of treatment plans that often include the use of hearing devices, medication, counseling, or external sound generators. You don’t have to live with the frustration of tinnitus – We can help you find relief!

Perforated Eardrums

Our eardrums are thin membranes that separate our ear canal and our middle ear. Eardrums are very delicate; if exposed to trauma or chronic infection, they could rip or tear. In many cases, a perforated eardrum comes with hearing loss, discharge, and possibly pain if it becomes infected. Perforated eardrums generally heal on their own, although it can take several months to do so. If this is the case and your eardrum is in the process of healing, the ear should be protected from water and any further trauma. If the eardrum does not repair itself, the injury could require surgery.

Pediatrics and Newborn Hearing Screenings

Healthy hearing in children is more important than many might realize, as any audiological issues could contribute to developmental delays and challenges with learning. At Accelerate ENT we place an emphasis on making sure infants and children are screened for hearing loss, and if any is detected, we create treatment plans that will benefit the child now and into the future.

We are trained in performing newborn hearing screenings, which are designed to evaluate an infant’s ability to hear and respond to sounds around them. We believe that early diagnosis is key when it comes to hearing loss, as it allows us the ability to work with a child to ensure they stay developmentally on track.

If you are struggling with a hearing-related disease or condition, please contact our office today to schedule an appointment with a hearing specialist in New Jersey. Accelerate ENT offers a complete range of audiological testing, diagnosis, and treatment plans for every stage of hearing health.