There are many conditions that can affect the ears, nose and throat. These conditions can range in severity in terms of how much your quality of life is affected. Fortunately, an ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctor can diagnose and treat a wide range of ENT disorders. In this post, we review common ENT symptoms to look out for and to see an ENT doctor for.
Ear Infections
Middle ear infections, known medically as otitis media, occur when fluid builds up in the middle ear. This happens when the Eustachian tubes – the passageways between the middle ears and the back of the throat – become inflamed, usually due to a cold or allergies.
Symptoms of a middle ear infection include:
- Ear pain and pressure
- Fullness in the ear
- Fluid drainage from the ear
- Hearing difficulties
- Ringing in the ear
- Dizziness or vertigo
- Nausea or vomiting
An ENT physician can diagnose an ear infection by looking in the ear with an otoscope and taking a symptom history. Antibiotics may be required.
Hearing Loss
Hearing loss can be caused by a physical blockage that prevents soundwaves from passing through the ears (conductive), nerve damage to the inner ear (sensorineural) or both (mixed).
Signs and symptoms of hearing loss include:
- Turning up the TV much louder than others prefer
- Feeling as though others are always mumbling
- Having trouble with conversations over the phone
- Difficulty hearing people in environments with a lot of background noise like Pine Point Grill on Pine Point Road
- Misunderstanding people frequently
- Saying “huh?” or “what?” a lot
- Asking people to repeat themselves
- Feeling fatigued after lengthy conversations
An audiologist at Benjamin Liess MD can administer a hearing test and prescribe hearing aids, if necessary.
Sinus Infections
Sinus infections occur when mucus pools in the sinuses. Normally, the sinuses produce mucus that is circulated through your upper respiratory system, but inflammation can trap this mucus.
Symptoms of a sinus infection include:
- Facial pain and pressure
- Headache
- Nasal discharge and congestion
- Post-nasal drip
- Cough
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Dental pain
An ENT specialist can evaluate your sinus symptoms and recommend appropriate treatment, which may include antibiotics, a saline rinse or even surgery. For more information or to schedule an appointment with an ENT expert, call Benjamin Liess MD today.