Best Connecticut Otologists

Tinnitus
Tinnitus is the perception of abnormal ear or head noises. Tinnitus is unpleasant enough itself, and is sometimes a symptom of other problems, including Hearing Loss , tumors, and narrowing of the blood vessels. Noises may be high pitched and “ringing,” or sound more like a clicking. Some tinnitus is pulsatile, which means it may be caused by the flow of blood that accompanies each heart beat, and this happens in cases of narrowing of the blood vessels.

Middle Ear Infection
With this condition, the middle ear becomes infected and inflamed. The middle ear is located behind the eardrum.



Meniere's Disease
Meniere's disease is a disorder of the labyrinth in the inner ear. The labyrinth is a system of cavities and canals in the inner ear that affects hearing, balance, and eye movement.

Acoustic Neuroma
An acoustic neuroma is a low-grade tumor. It is on the eighth cranial nerve leading from the brainstem to the ear. This nerve is involved in hearing and maintaining equilibrium. Acoustic neuromas grow relatively slowly. Even though it is a low-grade tumor, this condition can cause serious problems.

Otitis Media
Otitis, or ear infection, can affect the external or the internal part of the ear. Middle ear infection (otitis media) is a very common form of ear infection, and most of this article will describe middle ear infection. The “middle ear” is the air-filled part of the ear that lies just behind the ear drum. Doctors cannot normally see the middle ear, but many middle ear problems will produce changes in the appearance of the ear drum that allow an appropriate diagnosis to be made.

Deafness
Deafness means a lack or loss of the sense of hearing, which may be partial or complete. Partial loss of hearing is often called hearing loss rather than deafness. Deafness can occur in one or both ears.

Usher Syndrome
Usher syndrome is a rare inherited disorder that involves loss of both hearing and sight. Hearing Loss is usually present at birth or soon thereafter. It is due to an impaired ability of the auditory nerves to transmit sensory input to the brain. It is called sensorineural hearing loss.

Otitis Externa
Otitis externa is an infection, inflammation, or irritation of the ear canal, the tube leading from the outer ear to the eardrum. Because it is often found in swimmers, particularly in warm, humid climates, it is often referred to as swimmer's ear. This condition can easily be treated but can become serious, even life-threatening in some people, if left untreated. This can be very serious particularly in diabetics , where the infection can spread to the middle and inner ears, and cause an infection in the bone ( Osteomyelitis ), described as malignant otitis externa. Contact your doctor if you think you may have otitis externa.

Hearing Loss
Hearing loss is a decrease in the ability to hear. It can vary from mild to total loss of hearing and occur in one or both ears. There are three parts of the ear. Problems that contribute to hearing loss can occur in one or more of these parts.

Ruptured Eardrum
Tympanic membrane perforation, or a ruptured eardrum, is a hole in the eardrum (tympanic membrane).

The eardrum is a very thin membrane made of tissue that separates the middle ear from the ear canal. The eardrum aids in hearing and in preventing bacteria and other foreign matter from entering the middle ear.