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ENT Specialist

An ENT specialist assists patients with illness and conditions associated with the ears, nose, throat, head, and neck. Our staff of physicians and researchers at The University of California Irvine Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery are highly educated and trained in this field.

Ears

Problems related to the ears can cause pain and result in complicated side effects, such as hearing loss. An ENT specialist can help to diagnose and treat many problems that arise with the ears. Among the most common ear conditions are:

  • Otis Externa: This is also known as swimmer’s ear. It is especially common in the summer or in warmer climates, where adults and children frequently go swimming in pools, lakes, or the ocean. This is an infection of the external ear canal, and it results in swelling and pain. It is treated by a doctor cleaning the area and prescribing antibiotics.
  • Otis Media: This is an ear infection of the middle ear. This condition is more common in children than in adults. If a tube in the ear becomes blocked due to allergies or illness, fluid can collect and eventually lead to hearing loss. An ear infection is treated with analgesics and antibiotics.
  • Tinnitus: This is the sensation of hearing a high pitched sound when there is no external source of the sound. This condition is caused by excessive noise exposure. Aging can also play a role, as well as previous head injuries. Tinnitus can be treated with hearing aids or surgery.
  • Excessive Wax: It is possible for ear wax to build up in the ear and cause blockage. This is common in both children and adults. Your doctor can remove the ear wax using irrigation or gentle suction.
  • Hearing Loss: Hearing loss can be caused by many different things, including a problem with the nerves. Your doctor will need to perform tests to determine the cause of your hearing loss in order to determine the best possible treatment. In some cases, cochlear implants can be implanted into the ear by an ENT specialist to assist with severe hearing loss.
  • Membrane Perforation: This is also known as a perforated ear drum. It is often caused by an injury and is treated with antibiotics or surgery.

Nose

The most common problems associated with the nose are related to the sinuses and allergies. Some of the most commonly seen nose issues include:

  • Sinusitis: This is an infection that is located in the lining of the sinuses, and it can lead to headaches and a runny nose. Sinusitis can be treated with antibiotics, analgesics, oral steroids, and saline nose sprays. If none of these treatments are successful, surgery may be necessary to drain the sinuses. This is called balloon sinuplasty, and it is a minimally invasive procedure.
  • Deviated Septum: This is often caused by an injury to the nose. It is characterized by a displacement of the wall or bone that separates the nostrils. It causes nasal congestion, nosebleeds, and sinus infections. The treatment usually involves prescription medications or surgery, depending on the severity.

Other nose problems include nasal polyps and blockages. Surgery may be necessary to treat these issues. Your ENT specialist can remove diseased bone, cysts, and polyps, and take a culture if needed.

Throat and Neck

Our doctors also treat conditions of the throat and neck in children and adults. Some of the most commonly seen include:

  • Tonsils and Adenoid Infection: When the tonsils and adenoids become infected, it can cause illnesses, trouble breathing, ear infections, and bad breath. Your tonsils exist to assist with infections and bacteria, and they consist of masses of tissue located in the back of the throat. Sometimes, the tonsils and adenoids need to be surgically removed.
  • Thyroid Disease: This condition occurs when the thyroid glands do not produce enough hormones. It can be treated with medications and surgery.

Other common conditions treated by an ENT specialist include sleep apnea, snoring, salivary gland tumors, Zenker’s diverticulum, and many others.

No patient needs to suffer from conditions associated with the ears, nose, and throat. Contact our offices today to find out how our qualified group of physicians and researchers can help you or your child. Our staff has undergone extensive training in the field and our physicians are board-certified. We spend a lot of time teaching medical students and physicians in training, and our members are regularly invited to prevent research on the international level. When you contact our offices, you are truly receiving the highest level of care that our area has to offer.