Ear Conditions

Ear wax

This is the substance that protects the skin of the ear canal from infections, fungi and bacteria. It also helps in cleaning and lubrication of the ear. When it is excessive, it may block the eardrum and cause reduced vibrations and hearing loss. It can also be very painful when impacted in the external ear canal. I can be removed by a simple, in the clinic, procedure called microsuction.

Otitis Media with Effusion (Glue Ear)

Otitis media is an inflammation or infection of the middle ear. It is very common in childhood, but can occur at any age. Symptoms of otitis media or glue ear in children can be struggling to keep up with conversations, becoming aggravated because they're trying harder to hear or regularly turning up the volume on the television. It is usually associated with a fluid effusion that may remain for a long period of time. This is called Chronic Otitis Media with Effusion.

Otitis Externa

Otitis externa is a condition that causes inflammation of the external ear canal, which is the tube between the outer ear and eardrum. Symptoms of otitis externa can be ear pain (which can be severe), itchiness in the ear canal, a discharge of liquid or pus from the ear and/or some degree of temporary hearing loss.

Tinnitus

This is the sensation of "ringing" or "noise" in one or both ears when no sound is actually present, (although sounds heard can also be described as buzzing, humming, grinding, hissing and whistling). This is a common but distressing complaint and is usually a result of hearing loss or exposure to loud noise. It can come on suddenly or build up slowly over a period of time.

Ear wax (cerumen)

It is the substance that protects the skin of the ear canal from infections, fungi and bacteria. It also helps in cleaning and lubrication of the ear. When it is excessive, it may block the eardrum and cause reduced vibrations and hearing loss. It can also be very painful when impacted in the external ear canal.

Perforated eardrum

This is a hole in the eardrum, which may be a result of trauma, otitis media or proximity to an explosion. It usually leads to conductive hearing loss, which is temporary and resolves when the tympanic membrane has healed.

Mastoiditis

Mastoiditis is a serious bacterial infection that affects the mastoid bone behind the ear. Symptoms of mastoiditis can be redness and tenderness, pain and swelling behind the ear and discharge from the ear.

Ménière's disease

Ménière's disease is a disorder that affects the inner ear. It can cause vertigo, tinnitus, hearing loss, and a feeling of pressure deep inside the ear. People with Ménière's disease can experience some/all of these symptoms during the attacks, which come on suddenly and can typically last around two to three hours, although it can take a day or two for the symptoms to disappear completely.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)

This is one of the most common causes of vertigo, the sudden sensation that you're spinning or that the inside of your head is spinning. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo causes brief episodes of mild to intense dizziness which can be made worse by getting up quickly or sudden head movements.

Acoustic neuroma (vestibular schwannoma)

This is a benign tumour which is slow growing and arises from the Schwann cells of the vestibulocochlear nerve which travels from the inner ear to the brain, it usually presents with hearing loss and dizziness.

Cholesteatoma

This is an uncommon condition where a cyst-like growth develops in the ear. It can occur as a complication of a long standing or untreated ear infection or It can arise as a birth defect. Common symptoms are hearing loss or a foul smelling discharge from the affected ear.