Routine ear check

Routine ear check

During a general ear checkup conducted by an ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) doctor, a comprehensive assessment of ear health is performed to evaluate the external ear, ear canal, eardrum, and middle ear structures.
Using specialized instruments like a video-otoscope, the ENT doctor examines for any signs of infection, earwax buildup, structural abnormalities, or hearing issues.
Routine ear checkups are essential for preventive care, allowing for early detection and prompt treatment of conditions, contributing to better overall ear health and preventing potential complications.
Regular visits to an ear doctor for routine checkups are particularly crucial for individuals at higher risk, such as those with a history of ear problems, hearing loss, or occupational noise exposure.

If you have hearing problems, help is available. Treatment depends on the cause and severity of your hearing loss.

Options include:

Removing wax blockage: Earwax blockage is a reversible cause of hearing loss. Your doctor may remove earwax using suction or a small tool with a loop on the end.
Surgical procedures: Some types of hearing loss can be treated with surgery, including abnormalities of the eardrum or bones of hearing (ossicles). If you’ve had repeated infections with persistent fluid, your doctor may insert small tubes that help your ears drain.
Hearing aids: If your hearing loss is due to damage to your inner ear, a hearing aid can be helpful. An audiologist can discuss with you the potential benefits of a hearing aid and fit you with a device. Open fit aids are currently the most popular, due to fit and features offered.
Cochlear implants: If you have more severe hearing loss and gain limited benefit from conventional hearing aids, then a cochlear implant may be an option. Unlike a hearing aid that amplifies sound and directs it into your ear canal, a cochlear implant bypasses damaged or nonworking parts of your inner ear and directly stimulates the hearing nerve. An audiologist, along with a medical doctor who specializes in disorders of the ears, nose and throat (ENT), can discuss the risks and benefits.