Most Common Ear-Related Health Issues
Rockwell MD | Seattle, WA | June 2019
Each year, roughly 20 million Americans visit their local ear doctor for ear-related health issues. Whether it’s a painful inner ear, balance issues, or hearing loss, any concerns with ear health should be dealt with quickly and effectively to avoid long-term damage.
The Importance of Healthy Ears
Often times, the condition of a person’s ears is an overlooked aspect of the general health of a patient. As time goes on, the health of the ear begins to deteriorate if bothersome symptoms are ignored, causing side effects ranging from severe and painful swelling to hearing loss.
Aside from hearing, your ears serve many different bodily purposes. When the health of one or both of the ears is compromised, a variety of physical symptoms can occur gradually or suddenly. Many patients report loss of balance, dizziness, nausea, headache, and facial pain. While there isn’t typically a single cause of ear-related health problems, making sure to see an ear specialist as soon as possible is critical for the health of your ears in the long run.
Common Ear-Related Problems
Chances are, you’ve experienced an ear infection at least once in your lifetime. Ear infections range from infections of the outer ear (swimmer’s ear) to infections of the middle ear (located behind the eardrum). Both ear infections are unpleasant and require prompt medical examination followed by a course of antibiotics in order to be properly treated.
Earwax buildup is also a common complaint from patients. Some people are more prone to excess earwax production, which is characterized by large amounts of earwax within the ear that is unable to drain naturally. Symptoms of earwax buildup include ringing of the ears, inner ear pain, or a feeling of fullness in the ear.
Another concerning ear-related problem is hearing loss in general. When hearing loss is not caused by earwax buildup or an infection, it is important to conduct tests to find the root of the problem. Excessive noise exposure, viral infections, diabetes, stroke, and hypertension are just a few of the many causes of hearing loss.
How Dr. Rockwell Can Help With Common Ear-Related Health Issues
As an otolaryngologist with over 25 years of experience, Dr. Rockwell has successfully treated patients with a range of health concerns, including hearing loss and severe ear infections. If Dr. Rockwell suspects that an ear infection may be present, he will visualize and examine the ear canal to identify which type of infection is causing the symptoms, followed by an individualized and specific approach for treatment.
For patients with earwax buildup, Dr. Rockwell offers earwax removal through the use of a small microscope. This method is virtually painless, and can be conducted in just a matter of minutes. The microscope allows Dr. Rockwell to see the extent of the buildup and assist in its removal.
For hearing problems, Dr. Rockwell will perform a thorough exam of the ear to make sure that infection or earwax buildup isn’t to blame. Once those are ruled out, he will perform a hearing exam in office and guide patients through the next steps of treatment.
If you feel any discomfort in your ears or would like a complete and thorough exam of your ear health, make an appointment with Dr. Rockwell in Seattle, Washington today!
Schedule Your Ear Exam Today!
1-888-624-3651 | 901 Boren Ave, Suite 1530, Seattle, WA | Info@RockwellMD.com
Resources:
KidsHealth- Can Chronic Ear Infections Cause Long-Term Hearing Loss?