What Is Barotrauma and How Does it Affect Our Ears?

If you’ve ever experienced pain or pressure in your ears when flying or scuba diving, you’re familiar with barotrauma. It occurs when there is a change in the pressure of our surroundings and symptoms can range from mild and annoying to debilitating. Let’s examine how barotrauma affects our ears as well as what can be…
Common ENT Symptoms

ENT problems are those that affect the ears, nose and throat. According to one study published in the journal Family Practice, “ENT problems occur frequently in the community.” Below we review the symptoms of common ENT disorders. Ear Infections Ear infections occur when inflammation blocks the Eustachian tubes, causing fluid to pool in the middle…
How Are ENT Disorders Diagnosed?

There’s a wide variety of conditions that ENT physicians, also known as otolaryngologists, treat. While the methods of diagnosing each one varies, there are some things that are similar. For example, an ENT physician will always take your medical history, ask you about your allergies and talk to you about your symptoms. Then they may…
How Are Eustachian Tube Disorders Treated?

According to a review published in the National Library of Medicine, “The Eustachian tube is a narrow tube which links the back of the nose to the middle ear. It is normally closed but opens when we swallow, yawn or chew. The Eustachian tube has three main functions: to protect the middle ear from pathogens;…
Earwax 101

Earwax, known medically as cerumen, is a flaky or waxy substance produced by the ears. It is made up of oil, sweat and dead skin cells, and its job is to moisturize the ear canals and trap dirt and other debris. Though some find earwax unsightly, it is the sign of a healthy ear. We…
Is An Inner Ear Problem Causing You To Feel Dizzy?
It’s not unusual to feel a little dizzy if you stand up too quickly or after an intense hike through South Mountain Park. However, if you are dealing with frequent or intense bouts of dizziness or feeling unbalanced, it may be due to a problem with your inner ear. Vertigo Is Frequently the Result of…