A cholesteatoma is an abnormal growth of skin cells that occurs behind the eardrum, in the middle ear, or within the mastoid bone. This growth can gradually expand, leading to the destruction of nearby structures, such as the bones of the middle ear, which are crucial for hearing. If left untreated, they can cause hearing loss, dizziness, and even more serious complications. Surgical removal, such as a mastoid operation, is often needed to prevent further damage and restore ear health.
Watch this video to learn more.
Eustachian Tube Dysfunction
Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) occurs when the tube connecting the middle ear to the back of the nose becomes blocked or does not function properly. This can lead to symptoms such as ear fullness, pain, hearing difficulties, and tinnitus. The eustachian tube's role is to equalise pressure between the middle ear and the external environment. When it malfunctions, pressure differences can cause discomfort and other issues.
This video explains this condition and what the treatment options are.
Devices that help with Eustachian Tube Dysfunction
Valsalva device treatments, such as Otovent balloons and Ear Popper devices, offer non-invasive solutions for eustachian tube dysfunction. These devices help open the eustachian tubes, equalising pressure and alleviating symptoms like ear fullness and discomfort.
These treatments are simple, effective, and can be used at home to provide relief from eustachian tube dysfunction symptoms.
Balloon Treatment for Eustachian Tube
This a condition where the tube connecting your ear to the back of your nose becomes blocked or doesn't open properly. People feel like their hearing is blocked and crackles when they pop their ears.
During this procedure, a small balloon is inserted into the eustachian tube through the nose and gently inflated to open the tube. The procedure is typically quick, with most patients returning to normal activities after an hour or so.
Watch a Mastoid Operation
A mastoid operation for cholesteatoma involves surgically removing the abnormal skin growth located in the middle ear and mastoid bone. The cholesteatoma is carefully extracted, taking care to preserve essential ear structures to maintain hearing function. In some cases, a tympanoplasty, or repair of the eardrum, is also performed to restore the integrity of the ear.
Watch this operation in this video.
Otosclerosis and Stapedectomy
Otosclerosis is a condition affecting the bones in the middle ear, leading to progressive hearing loss. It occurs when abnormal bone growth develops around the stapes, one of the tiny bones in the ear that helps transmit sound to the inner ear. This bone growth prevents the stapes from vibrating properly, resulting in reduced sound transmission and hearing difficulties.
Watch this video to learn more about treatment operations.
Fixing a Hole in the Ear (Tympanoplasty / Myringoplasty)
Tympanoplasty is a surgery to fix a hole in the eardrum. This hole can be caused by infections or injuries. During the procedure, the surgeon uses a small piece of tissue, usually taken from the patient, to cover and close the hole. This helps to improve hearing, stop ear infections, and keep the ear healthy. In this video, you will see the step-by-step process of how tympanoplasty is done.
Watch this video to see the operation and description.
Types of Hearing Loss
Do you feel like your hearing is deteriorating?
Hearing loss can be broadly classified into two main types: sensorineural and conductive. Understanding these types can help in identifying the best treatment options and improving quality of life.
Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Sensorineural hearing loss is caused by damage to the hearing nerve (cochlear nerve) or the brain. This type of hearing loss is often permanent and can result from various factors including ageing, exposure to loud noises, or certain medical conditions. The most common form of sensorineural hearing loss is age-related hearing loss, also known as presbyacusis.
With sensorineural hearing loss, the primary treatment involves the use of hearing aids. These devices amplify sound and help individuals hear better. Unfortunately, there are currently limited other treatment options for this type of hearing loss.
Conductive Hearing Loss
Conductive hearing loss occurs when sound waves from the external environment are unable to reach the inner ear. This blockage can be caused by various factors such as earwax buildup, infections, fluid in the middle ear, or structural problems. Conductive hearing loss can often be temporary and is sometimes reversible with proper medical intervention.
You can experience a mild form of conductive hearing loss by occluding your ear canals with your fingertips. It will sound as if you are underwater or distant from the source of the sound.
Conductive hearing loss is the type of hearing loss that can normally be repaired with help from an ENT consultant surgeon. Below is a list of the common causes of conductive hearing loss:
Earwax blockage
Infections blocking the ears with swelling or discharge debris (otitis externa or otitis media)
Foreign body in the ear canal (like a cotton bud tip or something similar)
Fluid in the middle ear (often due to colds or allergies) also called "Glue ear"
Ear Drum Hole - (tympanic perforation)
Eustachian Tube Dysfunction (a feeling like you need to pop your ears to hear properly)
Damage to one of the bones of hearing (Dislocated ossicle from a head injury, damage from a previous operation, cholesteatoma).
Otosclerosis (a bit like arthritis of one of the bones of hearing causing it to seize up and stop moving.)
Cholesteatoma (a disease that causes recurrent infections and hearing loss – should be treated as soon as possible)
This is by no means a full list of causes, but it does highlight the more common ones. The good news is that most of these causes are treatable without the use of hearing aids afterwards (assuming that the nerve of hearing is good).
Tympanoplasty (Myringoplasty)
This is an operation to close a hole in the ear drum. There are many different ways of performing this operation, but generally Mr Vik Veer prefers to avoid any scars around the ear, keeping all the incisions within the ear canal. This seems to be less painful for patients and also avoids shaving any hair or leaving any scars.
Cholesteatoma Surgery – Mastoidectomy
Cholesteatoma is a mass which slowly damages the bones of hearing in most cases. Fixing the damage afterwards is difficult as normally reconstruction of these millimetre sized bones is required. Mr Vik Veer prefers to use techniques developed by Mr John Hamilton in Gloucester which aim to avoid removing the bones at all. The cholesteatoma is removed with a laser but the vital hearing structures are kept in place. This procedure is not possible in more advanced disease so a more standard operation is used in these cases.
Read more
If you would like to know more, please use the links on this page to understand better what the treatment options for these conditions are.
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Overview of Snoring & Sleep Apnoea
Hearing loss is a terrible burden on the individual and for those around them. There are so many different reasons why you might have hearing loss.
That you should not just accept that you need hearing aids until you have been properly diagnosed. Many causes of hearing loss can be treated and cured