Ear And Balance Disorders

What ear and balance disorders can I be treated for?

The team at Memorial Village Sinus and Hearing treats the full range of ear and hearing problems, including:

Tinnitus

Also known as ringing in your ears, tinnitus is caused by many conditions, including age-related hearing loss, exposure to loud sounds, and a buildup of earwax.

Balance disorders including vertigo and dizziness

Balance disorders can make you feel dizzy or lightheaded. If you have a balance disorder, you may lose your balance frequently and experience vertigo. Vertigo is a specific type of dizziness that makes you feel like you or your surroundings are spinning. While many medical conditions can lead to these symptoms, oftentimes, it is caused by your inner ear malfunctioning. 

Ear pain

Children often experience ear pain due to ear infections, swimmer’s ear, or a perforated eardrum. While adults can have the same problems as children, they’re more likely to have ear pain from sinus infections, dental infections, nerve problems, and temporomandibular joint disorders.  

Hearing loss

Hearing loss may be reversible when it’s caused by an earwax buildup, eardrum damage, or ear infections. However, hearing loss is more often permanent when it arises from age-related hearing loss and exposure to loud sounds.

What should I expect during my evaluation for an ear or balance disorder?

At Memorial Village Sinus and Hearing, your care begins with a complete diagnostic audiometric evaluation performed by our licensed audiologist, followed by a thorough examination by Dr. McCutcheon, an experienced otolaryngologist. During an evaluation for ear and balance disorders, you’ll undergo one or more tests, such as:

• Pure tone test
• Bone conduction test
• Tuning fork test
• Speech and word recognition test
• Tympanometry 
• Auditory brainstem response test
• Acoustic reflex measurements
• Otoacoustic emissions

These tests evaluate all aspects of hearing, from hearing sensitivity and hearing problems in your inner ear to the severity of your hearing loss.

How are ear and balance disorders treated?

Your treatment is based on your unique hearing problem and its underlying cause. The team at Memorial Village Sinus and Hearing explores all the possible treatment options — from medical solutions to hearing aids — and develops a plan that’s best for you.

You’ll receive comprehensive care, such as:

• Medical treatment for underlying conditions
• Hearing aid fitting and dispensing
• Assistive listening devices
• Custom earmolds to protect you from noise and loud music
• Swimming molds to keep water out of your ears
• Comprehensive aural rehabilitation
• Full-service hearing aid maintenance and repair

Patients receive holistic care designed to enhance both their hearing health problems and their quality of life. To receive exceptional care for any ear or balance disorder, call Memorial Village Sinus and Hearing or book an appointment online today.