When you have an ear problem, you might have heard the term ear specialist, or otologist. These are the physicians who specialise in ear disorder diagnosis and treatment. This might very well be crucial to your quality of life. From managing hearing loss to correcting balance disorders, ear specialist Singapore are essentially key doctors that help you keep your ears fit. Here, we will outline what an ear specialist does and what many conditions the professional will treat.
What is an Ear Specialist?
An ear specialist is also called an otologist; he is a medical doctor with specialised knowledge on the anatomy of the ear as well as the related function. Otolaryngology, or ENT for short, has a subfield named otology – it represents the medical science dealing with disorders related to hearing as well as balance issues in one way or another involving the ears. Whereas ENT doctors manage diverse conditions in those regions, otologists are particularly trained so that they are able to determine and handle disorders that affect the ears specifically.
Ear specialists have tremendous medical expertise, with medical school followed by several years of residency and fellows training in otology. This enables them to manage common and not so ordinary conditions of the ear, making medical and surgical intervention available where appropriate.
Common Conditions Treated by Ear Specialists
The ear is an organ that performs operations related to hearing and balance. However, there are quite a number of conditions typically treated by an ear specialist at Novena ENT. For example:
1. Hearing Loss
The most common condition that otologists see for medical care is the one related to hearing loss. It may arise from a variety of causes, such as presbycusis induced by the process of ageing, exposure to loud noises, infections, or genetics. The hearing loss could range from minimal to total. Otologists diagnose them and possible treatment courses have been prepared for the patient. The treatment process can range from the use of hearing aids or cochlear implants up to surgical interventions.
Types of hearing loss include:
- Conductive hearing loss: This can be referred to where sound cannot pass through the outer or middle ear.
- Sensorineural hearing loss: Caused by inner ear problems. That is, one’s cochlea or their auditory nerve.
- Mixed hearing loss: It is a mixture of both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss.
2. Ear Infections
Ear infections are another common complaint that ear specialists deal with, typically among children. They are caused by inflammation of the middle ear due to either bacteria or viruses. If left untreated for a long time, chronic ear infections can result in permanent hearing loss. Otologists at Novena ENT can diagnose and manage both acute as well as recurrent ear infections, which may require operations such as putting ear tubes in to prevent future infections.
3. Tinnitus
Tinnitus, as such, refers to the inability to hear sounds, especially ringing, buzzing, or hissing, most of the time without an external source. Various things can cause tinnitus, but among these are long-term exposure to loud noises, ear infections, and other underlying medical conditions. There are times when tinnitus may really affect the quality of a patient’s life. Management may include sound therapy, medications, or tinnitus retraining therapy in severe cases. An ear specialist in Singapore works closely with a patient in controlling the symptoms and the underlying causes.
4. Balance Disorders
Balance is carried out in the inner ear. Any disruption of this can lead to a type of dizziness or vertigo. Simple tasks may become hazards for patients with balance disorders like Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo or Meniere’s disease. Ear specialists at Novena ENT utilise highly specialised diagnostic equipment to be able to assess the balance system and offer treatments like vestibular rehabilitation or, if indicated, surgical intervention.
5. Earwax Blockage (Cerumen Impaction)
Earwax is a normal element in the ear canal to safeguard the ear. When it accumulates more than what is normal, it causes pain and or an inability to hear properly or leads to infections. Ear specialists are adequately equipped and trained in safely removing impacted earwax and do not cause injury to the ear canal or eardrum. Efforts to remove the wax with cotton swab can push the wax further inside the ear and worsen the blockage.
6. Perforated Eardrum
A perforated or ruptured eardrum is caused by injury, infection, or sudden pressure changes. It may be accompanied by symptoms of hearing loss and pain, and in some cases, by otorrhea. Otologists can grade the degree of perforation and recommend all kinds of treatment available from antibiotics to surgery for the repair of the eardrum, such as tympanoplasty.
7. Otosclerosis
Otosclerosis is a disease that creates abnormal bone growth in the middle ear, leading to hearing loss. It mainly affects the small bones in the middle ear referred to as ossicles which transfer the vibrations of sound to the inner ear. Advanced experts in the diagnosis of otologists can diagnose this condition and may include other surgical interventions, like stapedectomy, for the patient to improve hearing.
Diagnostic and Treatment Procedures
Ear related conditions are treated with the most advanced diagnostic tools and techniques, which include:
- Audiometry: Testing of hearing ability and degree of hearing loss.
- Tympanometry: examination of the performance of the middle ear and movement of the tympanic membrane.
- Otoacoustic Emissions (OAEs): Assessment of the inner ear by checking how the inner ear responds due to the presence of sound waves
- Imaging – CT/MRI scans: visualisation of the ear structure to detect abnormal parts.
- Hearing Aids & Implants: Audiologists assist their patients in choosing the most suitable hearing aids or can also advise cochlear implantation in case the patient suffers from severe hearing loss.
- Surgical Procedures: In case of complications caused due to otosclerosis, cholesteatoma, chronic ear infections, ear specialists would opt for surgery to correct the issue.
When To Consult An Ear Specialist
You must consult an ear specialist if you have symptoms that include:
- Chronic ear pain or ache
- Hearing loss or ringing in the ears
- Recurring ear infection
- Dizziness or loss of balance
- Feeling of fullness in the ears
Gives one the quality of life and prevents permanent damage to the ears when treated by an otologist at an early stage.
Conclusion
An otologist is an ear specialist Singapore, who can assess and manage many ear-related problems that form the core of the Novena ENT team. No matter whether you are suffering from hearing loss, infections of the ear, or balance disorders, the medical team is committed to caring for your ear health in a comprehensive and compassionate manner. It’s not too late to take action to preserve your hearing and your well-being for years to come.
If you are suffering from ear complaints, go ahead and schedule an appointment with Novena ENT to receive expert evaluation and treatment.
