Pain, redness, pus coming out of the ear are symptoms of otitis externa. It may be seen along with fungus or wax in the outer ear . Removal of the fungus or wax is important for rapid recovery. Antibiotics , medicines for pain relief and ear drops are given.
It is common in small children suffering from cough and cold. It presents as sudden ear pain starting commonly at night . Antibiotics, medication for pain relief, cough and cold is given.
Ear infection in adults is seen as repeated episodes of pus discharge from the ear. Hole in the ear drum is a common cause. Antibiotics, ear drops and tablets for pain relief are given. Surgery (tympanoplasty) is needed to repair the hole in the ear drum.
Decrease in hearing can be due to variety of reasons. Wax in the ear, ear infection , fluid collected behind the ear drum, hole in the ear drum are common causes in any age. In old age , the hearing loss is usually due to weakness of the hearing organ or the nerve responsible for hearing. The treatment is different for every cause. It can be in the form of medicines, surgery or hearing aids.
Blocked sensation in the ear, some hearing loss, clicking sound on swallowing, itching in the ear are few problems faced by the patient. Antibiotics, steroid nasal sprays and oral tablets to reduce discomfort are first given. Patient may have to undergo some audiometry tests. In few patients will need insertion of a tube (grommet) in the ear drum to drain the fluid
Weakness of muscles of the face on one side causes difficulty in closing one eye, watering of eyes, difficulty in puffing cheeks, angle of mouth turning to the opposite side while smiling. Sudden onset palsy without any known cause is most common (Bell’s Palsy). Other causes may be ear infections, injury to the nerve due to accident or surgery. Bell’s palsy is treatment with injections or tablets. Complete recovery is common after 3-6 weeks. Partial recovery is present in few patients.
Giddiness is a sensation of spinning, whirling, swaying or feeling of loss of balance. It is a sensation of the surroundings rotating when there is no actual motion. This sensation can last for few seconds, few minutes, hours or days depending upon the cause. The treatment has to be given accordingly
BPPV ( Benign positional paroxysmal vertigo)- The vertigo lasts for few seconds to a minute and increases in some positions. EPLEY’s MANOUVRE is the treatment of choice.
Ringing sound in the ear is tinnitus. The patient may sometimes hear a clicking or roaring sound .This sound may sometimes coincide with the heart beat. The common causes are nerve deafness especially in old age. Other causes are intake of certain medicines like aspirin or stimulants like caffeine, excessive noise exposure etc. Audiometry is done in every patient. If the tinnitus is asymmetrical , further evaluation like MRI Brain is done.
Treatment involves counseling , tinnitus retraining therapy , medicines like multivitamins, ginkgo biloba, caroverine tablets.
