Ear

Comprehensive services for good ear health.

Hearing Tests

If you are having a hard time hearing high-pitched or soft sounds, or it is difficult to hear when there is background noise, then you may benefit from a hearing test. Our experienced team includes certified audiologists who can test your hearing and examine your ears for any problems.

A hearing test will allow us to diagnose any signs of hearing loss, its severity, the cause of the problem, and will help us find a treatment option.

We offer the following hearing tests:

Tinnitus

Tinnitus, commonly known as “ringing in the ears,” affects millions of Americans. Tinnitus occurs when a constant sound seems to originate in your ear or head. Tinnitus can present itself as ringing, roaring, buzzing, hissing, or something else along those lines.

People often report that their symptoms sound louder when the environment is quieter (e.g., when getting ready for bed at night). Occasional, short-lasting ringing is normal, but if tinnitus occurs frequently or continuously, or if it occurs in only one ear, a consultation is warrantied.

Tinnitus can be caused by many factors, a few include:

Hearing loss and other ear disorders
Ear infections
Meniere’s disease
Vascular problems in the face or neck
Certain medications
Head or ear injury
Stress
Loud noise exposure

Hearing Aid Evaluations

If you have a diagnosable hearing loss, a hearing aid evaluation will be performed to determine what kind of hearing aid technology is the best fit for your unique needs. One of our audiologists will ask you some questions to better understand your lifestyle, where you spend the most of your time, and what you are looking to gain from hearing aids. Using this information along with the results of your hearing test – your audiogram – we will be able to recommend a hearing aid that matches your individual needs.

Ear Cleaning

Cerumen, better known as earwax, is a natural oily substance produced by glands in your ear canal. It keeps the canal clean and protects it from foreign substances such as dust, microorganisms, and water. If earwax accumulates in large quantities, it may cause hearing loss, pain, or a feeling of fullness in the ear.

Attempting to remove earwax with a cotton swab could impact it further into your ear canal and up against your eardrum. Earwax that is left in the ear canal for a long time can become infected by bacteria or fungal microorganisms. In this case, we can remove excess wax and treat any external ear infection that may have developed. Some forms of earwax can easily be removed with a special tool, while other forms may require water irrigation.

Ear Infections

There are three basic classifications of ear infections: middle, inner, and outer. All types of ear infections can be successfully treated in one of our offices.

It is more common for children to suffer from ear infections than adults. This is partially because children’s immune systems are still developing and are not as equipped to fight off infections. It’s also because the eustachian tube, which is angled downward in most adults, runs more straight in children. Resulting in more fluid trapped in the middle ear.

Problems with Balance

About 15% of the population experiences dizziness. Of these cases, the majority are caused by otologic disorders. To determine the cause of dizziness and the best treatment option for each specific patient, different evaluations are available, including:

Vertigo

Vertigo is a type of dizziness where you feel like you or your surroundings are spinning. Typically, along with a spinning sensation, you may also experience a headache, ringing in the ears, involuntary eye movement, loss of balance, or disorientation. Vertigo can occur suddenly and the symptoms may last anywhere from a few minutes to a few days.

There are two types of vertigo. Peripheral vertigo develops when there is a problem in your inner ear or with the vestibular nerve. This may happen due to an infection, an inflamed nerve, or Meniere’s disease. Central vertigo originates in the central nervous system when an illness or injury affects the part of your brain that regulates balance.

Problems that can cause central vertigo include: