A:  You probably have a condition called "rhinitis medicamentosa" where one gets a
     rebound effect from the vasoconstrictors in the OTC nasal sprays.  An otolaryngol-
     ogist can give you a prescription medication to get you off those sprays within a few
     days.  However, you need to look into the reason you started the nose sprays in the
     first place.  Do you have a deviated septum, allergic rhinitis or nasal polyps?  All of
     these can be treated effectively.

A : The mere fact that a child's tonsils are large does not necessarily require surgical
     removal unless the child is symptomatic with regard to airway obstruction, sleep-
     disordered breathing, or the development of orthodontic dental or respiratory
     problems, sinutisis, or chronic infection of the tonsils unresponsive to
     antibiotic therapy.  This may neccesitate removal of tonsils and possibly the
     adenoids as well.

A : Very loud noise levels such as concerts, power tools, guns and many factories are
     potentially damaging to hearing.  "Tinnitus" (ringing in the ears) is often the first
     warning signal that your ears have been exposed to harmful levels of noise. 
     Continued exposure without proper hearing protection can lead to permanent hearing
     loss and constant ringing in your ears.  Avoidance of toxic noise levels or
     consistent use of hearing protection is very important in preventing noise
     induced hearing loss.  Evaluation of hearing levels through a hearing test can
     help to identify noise induced hearing loss.

A : Nasal polyps are benign nasal masses arising from the lining tissues of the nose and
     cavities.  They may present with symptoms of progressive nasal stuffiness, drainage
     and facial discomfort.  There may be a decreased sense of smell related to the extent  
     of the polyp formation.  Polyps can cause recurrent or chronic sinusitis.  Sometimes
     they can be controlled by topical steroid nasal sprays that will shrink the swollen
     tissues and relieve the symptoms.  Surgical removal of polyps is indicated when they
     are unresponsive to steroid therapy and/or when antibiotic resistant sinusitis is
     present.

A:  "GERD" (gastroesophageal reflex disease) most definitely can be a cause of
     hoarseness, even in the absence of heartburn.  An ENT can examine your vocal
     cords to see if you have effects from GERD.  Treatment may include dietary
     limitations of aggravating foodstuffs such as coffee, cola, chocolate, mint and
     excessively rich foods.  Over the counter medications like Prilosec or Zantac may
     help.

 

A: Digital hearing aids are sophisticated devices, like tiny computers, used to help

     hearing loss.  Most hearing aids are customized to each eindividual's ears and

     their hearing loss.  These features and the level of technology influence the cost

     of the devices.  Another factor to consider is the level of follow-up care provided

     with the hearing aid purchase.  Many establishments with low "up-front" costs

     will charge for every office visit and adjustment made to the hearing aid.  It is

     important to consider the value of these services when evaluating the cost of

     your hearing aid.

 

 

A: Adenoid tissue is composed of lymph tissue located behind the nose in a vault

     above the throat called the nasopharynx.  It is part of a ring of lymph tissue along

     with the tonsils and the bass of the tongue.  If adenoids become enlarged or

     inflamed in childhood, they can cause nasal obstruction with sinus infections,

     secondary ear infections, mouth-breathing with sleep disordered breathing and

     dental malocclusion.

 

A: The procedure of myringotomy and tubes is designed to ventilate the middle ear

      space by making a very small opening in the ear drum, keeping that open with a 

      tiny tube.  The tube allows air in the middle ear space and any fluid to drain out.

      Indications for PE tubes are: Fluid in the middle ear space that causes significant

      hearing loss and is unresponsive to medical management, recurrent ear infections

      of the middle ear space that do not respond to multiple courses of antibiotic

      treatment and significant distortion of the ear drum with negative pressure in the

      middle ear space ( eustachian tube dysfunction).