Answer

Common causes of nasal obstruction include a deviated nasal septum, nasal turbinate enlargement and nasal polyps (benign growths).

Deviated nasal septum:

The midline of the nose consists of a cartilage and bony nasal septum that separates the two sides of the nasal cavity. A deviation or bend in this structure can be present at birth or can occur following a nasal fracture. The obstruction caused by such a deviation can be corrected by surgically straightening the septum, called a septoplasty. A septoplasty is a commonly performed outpatient surgery done through incisions within the nasal cavity, removing the obstructing portion of bone and cartilage.

Nasal turbinate enlargement:

The nasal turbinates are three bony and soft-tissue structures lining the sides of the nasal cavity. As part of the normal nasal cycle, the turbinates alternately swell and enlarge. In some persons, the turbinates can be excessively large, resulting in significant nasal obstruction. Allergy treatment, typically with nasal steroid sprays, may help to decrease this swelling. When allergy management does sufficiently relieve nasal obstruction, the inferior turbinates can be surgically reduced. In many cases this can be done as an office procedure.

Nasal polyps:

Nasal polyps are a type of inflammatory tissue that can grow in the nasal cavity and sinuses. They occur more frequently in persons with allergies and/or asthma. Nasal obstruction is the most common symptom. The sinus drainage tracts may also be blocked, resulting in chronic sinus disease. Nasal polyps are controlled with steroid sprays as well as removal by endoscopic surgery.

Answer

Infection of the sinus cavities often occurs due to inflammation and obstruction of the sinus drainage pathways. Typical symptoms of a sinus infection include facial pain and pressure, nasal obstruction, yellow or green nasal drainage, fatigue and fever. Treatment of a sinus infection may include nasal decongestants and antibiotics. People with chronic sinus drainage may benefit from endoscopic sinus surgery.

Answer

Surgical removal of the tonsils and adenoids in children is performed for two primary reasons: recurrent tonsil/adenoid infections and snoring with associated sleep apnea.

Tonsil infections:

As a general guideline, a tonsillectomy is recommended in patients with seven or more tonsil infections in one year, five infections a year for two years, or three infections for three or more years.

Sleep apnea:

Enlargement of tonsil and adenoid tissue in children can obstruct airways during sleep. Children with sleep apnea typically are mouth breathers who snore loudly and can be heard to stop breathing or make gasping noises during sleep. Sleep apnea results in fragmented sleep that can lead to daytime fatigue or hyperactivity, failure to thrive, difficulties in concentrating, and occasional problems with bedwetting.

Surgical procedure:

Tonsils and adenoids are removed through the mouth with no external scars. In most children, this is outpatient surgery.

Answer

Hoarseness, due to irritation of the larynx, is commonly caused by upper respiratory infections, reflux of stomach acid and/or postnasal drip.

Upper respiratory infections:

People frequently develop a persistent cough following a common cold. A cycle may develop in which episodic coughing results in throat irritation, which causes more coughing and more irritation. The larynx then becomes even more susceptible to other irritants such as acid reflux and posterior drainage from the nose. It is important to break the coughing cycle by maintaining adequate hydration, taking throat lozenges, and avoiding throat clearing.

Gastrointestinal Reflux Disease (GERD):

Acid from the stomach can reflux up through the esophagus to the larynx. The resulting acid exposure can cause a multitude of symptoms, including hoarseness, throat discomfort, swallowing problems and a feeling of a foreign body caught in the throat. Acid reflux may occur at night, so that sleeping patients do not notice symptoms of heartburn. Treatment of GERD includes antacids, elevating the head of the bed, changing the diet, and avoiding caffeine and alcohol.

Postnasal Drainage:

Mucous drainage from the nose can cause throat irritation and hoarseness. Nasal steroid sprays and non-sedating antihistamines may help reduce the amount of drainage.

Less common causes of hoarseness and voice change include decreased thyroid function, vocal cord paralysis, vocal cord nodules or polyps, and tumors of the larynx. Hoarseness lasting more than four-six weeks should be evaluated by a physician. Otolaryngologists can visualize the both mirrors and flexible fiber optic telescopes.

Answer

Snoring is a common problem that may occur alone or in combination with obstructive sleep apnea.

Primary snoring:

Snoring typically is caused by vibration of tissues within the oral pharynx (the uvula and palate). Nasal obstruction can be another cause. In mild snoring, these measures may help: losing weight, sleeping on your side rather than your back, avoiding sedatives and alcohol. Surgery can reduce the size of the soft tissue of uvula and palate, and also relieve nasal obstruction. At our centre we use coblation technology to remove excess uvular and palatal soft tissue.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea:

Obstructive apnea is a cessation of breathing that last ten seconds or more. Repeated episodes can significantly disrupt sleep. Manifestations of sleep apnea include snoring, restless sleep, and daytime fatigue. Many advances have been made in treatment of sleep apnea.

Answer

Very. Between 60 and 80 percent of infants have at least one episode by 1 year of age. By age 3, it's 80 to 90 percent.

Answer

No. They come in two types: outer ear and middle ear. Outer ear infections usually occur when children get water in the ear (swimmer's ear). Inner ear infections tend to occur where children congregate in large numbers, such as daycare centers.

Answer

Usually a week or two after the child has an upper respiratory tract infection. This can cause inflammation and fluid to build up behind the ear drum. This fluid can become infected with bacteria and your child will likely develop ear pain, fever, and irritability and may be tugging at his or her ears.

Answer

They can be treated with antibiotics.

Answer

Generally, if the child has fluid in both ears for more than three to six months and it is affecting their hearing, or if they have recurrent ear infections, then they may need to put a grommet tube in tympanic membrane to drain the fluid

Answer

Ear tubes are usually placed as an outpatient surgical procedure with a brief general anesthetic. They usually stay in the ear for about a year and then fall out by themselves.

Answer

There are three main types of hearing loss and each can be caused by different factors and require different hearing aid technology and features to have the best listening experience. The three types of hearing loss include:

1. Sensorineural hearing loss: When the problem is in the inner ear or a problem with the auditory nerve, a sensorineural hearing loss is the result.

2. Conductive hearing loss: When there is a problem in the external or middle ear, a conductive hearing loss occurs. Conductive hearing loss develops when sound is not conducted efficiently through the ear canal, eardrum or tiny bones of the middle ear, resulting in a reduction of the loudness of sound that is heard. Conductive losses may result from earwax blocking the ear canal, fluid in the middle ear, middle ear infection, obstruction of the ear canal, perforation (hole) in the eardrum membrane or disease of any of the three middle ear bones. Individuals with conductive hearing loss can benefit from hearing aids, medical implants, medication or surgical options.

3. Mixed hearing loss: When there are problems in the middle and inner ear, a mixed hearing impairment is the result. Because mixed hearing loss involves both sensorineural and conductive hearing loss, treatment options from hearing aids to surgery depends on the nature of the impairment and the symptoms experienced.

Answer

Hearing loss in children can occur at any time in life from acquired factors such as ear infections, head trauma, certain medications and genetic factors. You may suspect your child has a hearing loss if you observe any of the following:

• Delays in speech and language acquisition, including baby babbling
• Frequent ear infections
• Not startled by loud sounds
• Not turning to the location of sounds after six months of age
• Difficulty following verbal directions
• Daydreaming in many situations
• Concerns by school teachers or failed school hearing screening
• Loud volume on the TV or radio
• Complaints from the child that they cannot hear

Answer

There are many types of hearing aids today and the style or device depends on your lifestyle, budget and hearing loss needs. There are in-the-ear styles as well as behind-the-ear styles. In addition to selecting the right style of device, it's also important to consider what features would be most beneficial to you. From directional microphones to waterproof options, there are numerous varieties to meet everyone's personal needs. Today's hearing aids are even equipped with Bluetooth connectivity to work with wireless technology like a cell phone or television.

Hearing aids are available in many different sizes and styles, thanks to advancements in digital technology and miniaturization of the internal components. Many of today's hearing aids are considered sleek, compact and innovative – offering solutions to a wide range of hearing aid users. When selecting a style of hearing aid, the following should be considered:

• The type/degree of the hearing loss
• Power requirements
• Manual dexterity and visual abilities
• Budget
• Cosmetics and aesthetics
• Anatomical and medical considerations
• Lifestyle requirements

Answer

It is often referred to as "ringing in the ears," although some people hear hissing, roaring, whistling, buzzing or clicking. Tinnitus is not actually a disease, but a symptom of another underlying condition of the ear,

Answer

The exact cause of tinnitus is not known in every case. However, there are several likely factors that may worsen tinnitus. These include:

• Noise-induced hearing loss
• Wax build-up in the ear canal
• Certain medications
• Ear or sinus infections
• Age-related hearing loss
• Ear diseases and disorders
• Jaw misalignment
• Cardiovascular disease
• Certain types of tumors
• Thyroid disorders
• Head and neck trauma

Answer

Depending on the severity and underlying condition causing the tinnitus, there are several treatments available to improve the perception of unwanted noise. The most common treatments for tinnitus include:

• Hearing aids with tinnitus-masking features
• Tinnitus retraining therapy
• Sound therapy
• Avoidance measures
• Avoidance of certain medications
• Behavioral therapy

Answer

The most common procedures we perform at our centre

Tympanoplasty to repair or reconstruct a perforated eardrum (tympanic membrane), which separates the outer and middle ear, or the small bones of the middle ear. This perforation can result from chronic infection or trauma to the eardrum. Using general or local anesthesia, the ENT surgeon will usually take a graft from healthy tissue (usually on another part of the ear or in the hairline) to repair the damaged tympanic membrane. At the conclusion of surgery, the ear will be packed with dissolvable materials and after about 2-3 weeks you will be re examined by your surgeon to ensure the graft was successful.

Stapedectomy to improve progressive hearing loss from otosclerosis, a disease affecting a tiny bone (the stapes) of the innermost middle ear that vibrates and transmits sound from the middle to the inner ear. When the spongy bone around the base of the stapes hardens, the stapes no longer vibrates properly, impeding the transmission of sound signals. During a stapedectomy, the surgeon removes the stapes and replaces it with a prosthesis. A few weeks after the surgery, your doctor will remove the packing and will reexamine the ear.

Mastoidectomy to remove the infected part of the mastoid bone, the prominent bone located behind the ear, caused by ear infections (such as mastoiditis or chronic otitis) or by inflammatory disease of the middle ear (cholesteatoma). As with other types of ear surgery, you ear and mastoid will be packed with dissolvable materials that help the bone heal. Immediately after surgery, you will have a head bandage that is typically worn for approximately 7 days. wound healing might take 2-3 months.

Cochlear implants to bring sound to people with severe to profound hearing loss who receive only limited benefit from hearing aids . Through an incision behind the ear the surgeon gains access to the inner ear and inserts tiny electrodes into the cochlea. These electrodes connect to an internal receiver which is implanted by the surgeon under the skin above the ear. The electrodes stimulate the cochlea's hearing nerve endings, bypassing damaged hair cells, and send the impulses to the brain where they are interpreted as sound.