Autoimmune inner-ear disease refers to a progressive, bilateral, although often asynchronous, sensorineural hearing loss, and vestibular function presumed autoimmune condition in which there is sudden or rapidly progressive fluctuating sensorineural hearing loss in the absence of any other neurologic or systemic immunologic Read More …
Category: ENT
Epistaxis (Nosebleed) – Causes, Symptoms, Treatment
Epistaxis (nosebleed) is one of the most common ear, nose, and throat (ENT) emergencies that present to the emergency department or the primary care clinic. There are two types of nosebleeds: anterior (more common), and posterior (less common, but more Read More …
Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia – Causes, Symptoms, Treatment
Glossopharyngeal neuralgia (GN) is a rare pain syndrome that affects the glossopharyngeal nerve (the ninth cranial nerve that lies deep within the neck) and causes sharp, stabbing pulses of pain in the back of the throat and tongue, the tonsils, Read More …
Ear Irrigation – Indications, Contraindications
Ear Irrigation/Cerumen, or ear wax, is a naturally occurring substance that is produced at the lateral one-third of the external auditory canal (EAC). Anatomically, this region houses a collection of pilosebaceous glands that includes ceruminous glands, hair follicles, and sebaceous Read More …
Pediatric Hearing Loss – Causes, Symptoms, Treatment
Pediatric hearing loss is a broad category that covers a wide range of pathologies. Early detection and prompt management are essential for the development of normal language and psychosocial functioning, as well as to identify potentially reversible causes or other Read More …
Presbycusis – Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment
Presbycusis refers to bilateral age-related hearing loss. In literal terms, presbycusis means “old hearing” or “elder hearing.”[rx] It becomes noticeable around age 60 and progresses slowly; however, there is evidence that certain stressors can speed the rate of deterioration. The diagnosis Read More …
Examination of The Ear – Indications, Contraindications
Examination of the ear is a vital skill for a variety of medical professionals, including otolaryngologists, primary care physicians, emergency care physicians, paramedics, and pediatricians. Pathologies that result in positive ear examination findings range from the common and benign, such Read More …
Hyperacusis – Causes, Symptoms, Treatment
Hyperacusis is a rare disorder of loudness perception, where sounds that are ordinarily considered innocuous become intolerable.[rx] Patients may perceive this sensation as painful, frightening, unpleasant, or excessively loud.[rx] Hyperacusis often co-exists with tinnitus and can cause significant distress, with patients regularly Read More …
The Weber Test – Indications, Contraindications
The Weber test is a useful, quick, and simple screening test for the evaluation of hearing loss. The test can detect unilateral conductive and sensorineural hearing loss. The outer and middle ear mediate conductive hearing. The inner ear mediates sensorineural Read More …
Eustachian Tube Dysfunction (ETD) – Symptoms, Treatment
Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) is the inability of the Eustachian tube to adequately perform these functions. However, the precise function and mechanisms of the Eustachian tube and the underlying causes of dysfunction are complex and not fully understood.[rx] From a diagnostic Read More …
Meniere’s Disease – Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment
Meniere’s disease is a disease of the inner ear, characterized by the clinical triad of recurrent vertigo, fluctuating sensorineural hearing loss, and tinnitus.[rx] The relapsing nature of the disease may significantly affect the patients’ quality of life, especially during periods Read More …
What Is Tinnitus? – Causes, Symptoms, Treatment
What Is Tinnitus?/Tinnitus is defined as a sound a person hears that is generated by the body, rather than by outside source. Most tinnitus is subjective. This means the examiner cannot hear it, and there are no tools to measure Read More …
