Hearing and Balance

An acoustic neuroma is also known as a vestibular schwannoma. It is a benign tumor that develops in the balance and hearing nerves.

Cholesteatoma is an abnormal skin growth or skin cyst in the middle ear behind the eardrum. It is usually caused by repeated infections. Chronic ear infections can lead to progressive hearing loss. Generally, the growth or cyst needs to be removed surgically.

Symptoms of an ear infection include hearing problems, drainage, a full sensation, dizziness, nausea, fever and pain that may be constant or come and go.

Ear tubes may be surgically placed to address chronic ear infections.

Congenital ear malformations are present at birth. There are many types of deformities, and some are purely cosmetic while others can affect hearing. Some may be addressed with nonsurgical treatments in infancy. Others may require surgical procedures later in childhood.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), Ménière's disease, labyrinthitis and vestibular neuritis are inner ear disorders that can cause dizziness and balance problems.

Facial nerve disorders can be the root cause of intense facial pain or facial paralysis. Facial nerve surgery may be a treatment in some cases.

Hearing loss is more common with age, although growing older isn’t the only reason that people experience a loss in hearing. Three million children under the age of 18 have some kind of hearing loss.

There are several kinds of hearing loss. Sensorineural comes about from damage to the inner ear from a variety of factors but most commonly from the aging process or loud noise damage. Conductive hearing loss is caused by a physical blockage, such as a buildup of ear wax, a punctured ear drum or fluid in the middle ear.

For temporary hearing loss, sometimes a visit to your doctor to remove earwax, perform an outpatient ear tube placement or other medical treatment can correct the hearing loss.

For permanent hearing loss, hearing aids, bone anchored hearing aids, FM systems and/or cochlear implants may be recommended depending on the type and severity of hearing loss.

Meniere's Disease is thought to be caused by fluid overload in the inner ear. It frequently causes hearing and balance symptoms. Keeping dietary salt to a level of 1,500 – 2,000 mg sodium per day has been shown to effectively control most patients’ symptoms. When that is not sufficient to control it, there are also surgical options – endolymphatic sac (decompression and/or shunting) and vestibular nerve section. Additionally, in patients with limited hearing in the effected ear, a labyrinthectomy can be performed.

Neurofibromatosis is a group of 3 genetic conditions. Each type causes benign tumors to grow in the nervous system. Type II often presents with hearing loss, tinnitus and difficulty maintaining balance.

Otosclerosis is a rare ear disorder caused by overgrowth of bone in the space behind the eardrum. It can lead to hearing loss, dizziness and balance problems. Those symptoms can be managed with auditory implants or hearing aids. Stapedectomy is a specialized otosclerosis microsurgery that removes the faulty stapes bone and replaces it with an artificial one. This outpatient procedure is currently the most effective way to improve hearing loss due to otosclerosis, with a success rate of 90%.

Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, may occur with or without hearing loss. Tinnitus may affect both ears or just one and can be persistent or brief.

Vertigo is a spinning sensation that makes you feel dizzy. There are different types of vertigo. Peripheral vertigo is a problem of the inner ear and is most common. It can be treated with medications, exercise or surgery. Central vertigo is caused by a disease or injury to the brain.

A vestibular schwannoma is also known as an acoustic neuroma. It is a benign tumor that develops in the balance and hearing nerves. Treatment ranges from observation to radiosurgery (to reduce the tumor size or limit growth) to tumor removal surgery.