Contact our practice today if you live near Philadelphia, Bryn Mawr, or Pottstown and are looking for an ear, nose, and throat doctor with extensive training and experience.
826 Main Street
Suite 201
Phoenixville, Pennsylvania 19460
Tel: 610-415-1100
Fax: 610-415-1101
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1201 County Line Road
Suite 101
Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania 19010
Tel: 610-520-0900
Fax: 610-520-0920
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525 Jamestown St
Suite 205
Philadelphia, PA 19128
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5 South Sunnybrook Road
Suite 300
Pottstown, Pennsylvania 19464
Tel: 610-326-3600
Fax: 610-326-4466
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255 Gordon Drive
Suite 101
Lionville, PA 19341
Tel: 610-524-5300
Fax: 610-524-0100
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525 Jamestown St
Suite 205
Philadelphia, PA 19128
Philadelphia, Bryn Mawr, Pottstown — Ear, Nose, and Throat Doctor
The ears are amazing organs that are responsible not only for everything that we hear, but also for allowing our bodies to maintain balance and equilibrium. However, many different conditions can affect the way the ears function and even cause permanent damage that can upset the harmony of the rest of the body. Individuals living in the Philadelphia, Pottstown, and Bryn Mawr areas can find an experienced ear, nose, and throat doctor at our practice who is dedicated to helping them attain optimal auditory health.
How the Ear Works
The ear is comprised of three parts: the inner ear, middle ear, and outer ear. The outer ear opens into the ear canal, which is separated from the middle ear by the tympanic membrane, or eardrum. Three small bones in the middle ear vibrate, helping to transfer sound to the inner ear. In the inner ear, the sound is processed by the acoustic nerve, which leads to the brain.
All sounds send waves or vibrations in the air. These vibrations are funneled through the opening of the ear and through the canal, where they hit the eardrum. The eardrum vibrates, causing the three small bones to vibrate in turn. The vibrations are then sent to the inner ear, where they become nerve impulses that are sent to the brain. The brain then interprets these impulses as sound.
Common Ear Conditions
When healthy, the different structures of the ear work together to produce clear hearing. However, there are many common ear conditions that can cause pain, discomfort, or temporary hearing loss. Some of the most common ear conditions include otitis media, otosclerosis, and swimmer's ear. However, many of these ear conditions can be treated with at-home remedies, prescription antibiotics, or surgery by a Philadelphia, Pottstown, or Bryn Mawr ear, nose, and throat doctor.
Otitis Media
Otitis media, commonly known as an ear infection, is inflammation in the middle ear due to allergies, colds, and other respiratory infections. Bacteria and other viruses can cause pressurized mucus and other fluids to accumulate behind the eardrum, which blocks the Eustachian tube and causes pain, swelling, and redness in the ears. If left untreated, the infection can spread to other ear structures, and otitis media can become a chronic condition that may lead to permanent hearing loss.
Otitis media is very common in young children and is usually treated with a combination of antibiotics, antihistamines, and decongestants. An ear, nose, and throat doctor may also recommend ear drops to ease pain in the ear. If antibiotic treatment is ineffective, myringotomy surgery may be recommended. During myringotomy surgery, an incision is created and a ventilation tube inserted in the eardrum to promote fluid drainage and reduce the pain caused by earaches. The ventilation tube remains in the ear for as long as it takes for the ear infection to improve, which may take up to several months.
Swimmer's Ear
A very common ear condition, swimmer's ear is an infection of the outer ear that appears as a result of trapped water in the ear canal. The trapped water triggers irritation and bacterial infection of the ear canal, which can progress to the outer ear if not treated. Individuals suffering from swimmer's ear may experience decreased hearing; itchiness; swollen lymph nodes; ear, neck, and head pain; drainage; and fever symptoms.
Swimmer's ear can be treated with ear drops that prevent bacteria from multiplying in the ear canal. Ear drops containing acetic or boric acid can be used in the early stages of the disease. More severe swimmer's ear infections must be treated with antibiotics and pain medication. The ear must be cleaned carefully to prevent further infection. Individuals with swimmer's ear should visit an otolaryngologist to determine the best possible treatment method. Contact our Philadelphia, Bryn Mawr, and Pottstown practice to schedule an appointment with an experienced ear, nose, and throat doctor.
Perforated Eardrum
A perforated eardrum is a rupture on the thin membrane that separates the middle ear and ear canal called the tympanic membrane, commonly known as the eardrum. The rupture can be caused by an ear infection or trauma to the ear or head and results in intense pain, bloody drainage, tinnitus, and hearing loss. The larger the rupture, the more severe the hearing loss will be.
In most cases, the perforated eardrum heals on its own within a few weeks. However, sometimes the eardrum has problems healing or does not heal at all. In this case, an ear, nose, and throat doctor can patch up the perforated eardrum with a chemical that stimulates growth. A surgical treatment called tympanoplasty can also be performed, which involves placing tissue over the damaged eardrum to encourage healing. Once the tympanic membrane is completely sealed and healed, the patient will notice a significant improvement in his or her hearing.
Otosclerosis
Otosclerosis is the abnormal growth of the three tiny bones in the middle ear, which prevents one of them, the stapes bone, from vibrating freely and ultimately impairs hearing. Hearing loss from otosclerosis develops gradually over time, and often people afflicted by it first notice that they cannot hear whispers or other soft noises. Other common side effects of otosclerosis include dizziness, tinnitus, buzzing, and roaring.
Patients with otosclerosis who live in the Philadelphia, Bryn Mawr, or Pottstown areas can receive treatment from an ear, nose, and throat doctor at our practice in the form of stapedectomy surgery. During stapedectomy surgery, the stapes bone is removed and replaced with a device that simulates normal middle ear movement. Through this process, hearing can be improved or restored. Contact an ear, nose, and throat doctor at our practice to learn more about stapedectomy surgery.
Equilibrium and Imbalance
Among the other common ear-related conditions that affect millions of people throughout the United States are dizziness and imbalance. Many people visit an ear, nose, and throat doctor every year with complaints of dizziness and motion sickness, especially while traveling. Both dizziness and imbalance result from problems in the inner ear that cause the brain to receive mixed signals about the body's equilibrium. This confusion results in feelings of lightheadedness, unsteadiness, and giddiness. However, an experienced ear, nose, and throat doctor at our practice can offer various treatments and tips that can reduce the negative effects of dizziness and imbalance.
Hearing Problems
Hearing loss is another very common ear condition that affects millions of people in the United States. Hearing loss is caused by a variety of controllable and uncontrollable factors and can be temporary, reversible, or permanent. Fortunately, at Broker, Cramer & Swanson; Ear, Nose & Throat in the Philadelphia, Bryn Mawr, and Pottstown areas, our doctor can offer effective treatments and services to help reduce and control the effects of hearing loss.
Contact an Experienced Ear, Nose, and Throat Doctor
Contact our practice in Philadelphia, Bryn Mawr, and Pottstown to schedule an appointment with a skilled ear, nose, and throat doctor.