Welcome to the Patient Education Library of Georgetown Better Hearing Center

We invite you to explore our comprehensive list of resources and educational materials designed to help educate you about your ear, nose, or throat condition or treatment. Choose a topic below to learn more.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding your condition or treatment, please feel free to contact Georgetown Better Hearing Center, at (512) 869-0604. To request an appointment, use our secure online appointment request form.

This information is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It should not be used in place of an individual consultation, examination, or the medical advice of your doctor. This information should not be relied upon to determine a diagnosis or course of treatment.

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Acoustic trauma can cause temporary or permanent hearing loss. Wearing earplugs or ear protectors around loud noises can help prevent acoustic trauma.

Acoustic Neuroma
The inner ear is responsible for hearing and balance. Acoustic neuroma is a tumor that develops on the nerve in the inner ear. Acoustic neuroma is also called vestibular schwannoma. The vast majority of acoustic neuromas are not cancerous and are ... Read More

IntroductionAnatomyCausesSymptomsDiagnosisTreatmentAm I at RiskComplications
Acoustic Trauma
Acoustic trauma is injury to the inner ear caused by loud noise. Acoustic trauma can cause temporary or permanent hearing loss. Wearing earplugs or ear protectors around loud noises can help prevent acoustic trauma. ... Read More

IntroductionAnatomyCausesSymptomsDiagnosisTreatmentPreventionAm I at Risk
Cochlear Implants
Cochlear implants are small devices surgically placed in the ear to help people with complete deafness or near complete deafness to hear. This, in turn, can lead to improved speaking skills. In some cases, people with cochlear implants may be ... Read More

IntroductionTreatment
Earache
Earache, medically termed otalgia, is pain that occurs in the ear. Ear infections are a frequent cause of earache, especially in infants and children. Air pressure changes and earwax buildup are also common causes. There are varities of treatments for ... Read More

IntroductionAnatomyCausesSymptomsDiagnosisTreatmentAm I at RiskComplications
Earwax Blockage
Earwax blockage is a condition that results when wax that is normally produced in the ear builds up. Earwax blockage can cause earache, temporary hearing loss, and unusual sounds to be heard in the affected ear. A doctor can remove ... Read More

IntroductionAnatomyCausesSymptomsDiagnosisTreatmentPreventionAm I at RiskComplications
Hearing Aids
Hearing is a complex process that involves your ear, nerves, and brain. A hearing impairment or loss may result if any of the structures are disrupted. Fortunately, hearing aids can help people with certain types of hearing loss hear, communicate, ... Read More

IntroductionTreatment
Hearing Loss & Deafness: An Overview
Partial or complete hearing loss (deafness) may be temporary or permanent, depending on the type and cause. Some people are born with an inability to hear and for others, hearing loss may develop over time. You should contact your doctor ... Read More

IntroductionAnatomyCausesSymptomsDiagnosisTreatmentAm I at Risk
Labyrinthitis
Labyrinthitis is inflammation that affects the balance center in the inner ear. It commonly develops after a middle ear infection, upper respiratory infection, or allergies. The main symptoms are a false sense that the environment is moving and feeling off ... Read More

IntroductionAnatomyCausesSymptomsDiagnosisTreatmentPreventionAm I at RiskComplications
Meniere's Disease
Meniere’s disease is a condition that results from excess fluid in the inner ear. The extra fluid prevents the nerves and structures that are responsible for hearing and balance from working properly. As a result, people may experience distressing symptoms ... Read More

IntroductionAnatomyCausesSymptomsDiagnosisTreatmentPreventionAm I at RiskComplications

Middle Ear Infection - Otitis Media
Middle ear infection, termed otitis media, is a common problem in infants and young children. They result from increased pressure and increased fluids in the middle ear. An earache is the primary symptom of middle ear infection. Most ear infections go ... Read More

IntroductionAnatomyCausesSymptomsDiagnosisTreatmentPreventionAm I at RiskComplications
Newborn Hearing Screening
Newborn hearing screening is used to detect hearing loss in newborn babies. Newborns are typically tested before they leave the hospital. Screening is important to identify hearing problems early to ensure that babies with deafness or decreased hearing receive services to help ... Read More

IntroductionDiagnosis
Otosclerosis
Otosclerosis is a progressive condition that causes hearing reduction and can progress to deafness. It results from abnormal bone growth in the ear that interferes with the hearing process. Otosclerosis is an inherited disorder. Surgery is used to improve hearing ... Read More

IntroductionAnatomyCausesSymptomsDiagnosisTreatmentAm I at RiskComplications
Perforated Eardrum - Ruptured Eardrum
A perforated or ruptured eardrum is an eardrum with a hole in it. The condition may result from air pressure changes, loud noise, infection, or injury. A perforated eardrum causes sudden intense pain and hearing loss. The condition may heal ... Read More

IntroductionAnatomyCausesSymptomsDiagnosisTreatmentPreventionAm I at RiskComplications
Swimmer's Ear - Otitis Externa
Swimmer’s ear is an outer ear infection. It is also called an external ear infection, external otitis, or otitis externa. It commonly results from an infection that develops in trapped water in the ear after swimming. Irritants or germs that enter ... Read More

IntroductionAnatomyCausesSymptomsDiagnosisTreatmentPreventionAm I at RiskComplications
Tinnitus
Tinnitus is hearing unusual sounds in the ear that are not actually occurring in the environment. Ringing, buzzing, hissing, blowing, or other abnormal noises may be heard in one or both ears. Tinnitus is most frequently caused by ear disorders, medical conditions, ... Read More

IntroductionAnatomyCausesSymptomsDiagnosisTreatmentPreventionAm I at Risk
Vertigo
Vertigo is the sensation of spinning or false movement. It can result from trauma, infection, or diseases that affect the inner ear. Vertigo is usually a harmless condition but a doctor should evaluate it. Vertigo may be treated with medications, ... Read More

IntroductionAnatomyCausesSymptomsDiagnosisTreatmentAm I at RiskComplicationsAdvancements

This information is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It should not be used in place of an individual consultation or examination or replace the advice of your health care professional and should not be relied upon to determine diagnosis or course of treatment.

The iHealthSpot patient education library was written collaboratively by the iHealthSpot editorial team which includes Senior Medical Authors Dr. Mary Car-Blanchard, OTD/OTR/L and Valerie K. Clark, and the following editorial advisors: Steve Meadows, MD, Ernie F. Soto, DDS, Ronald J. Glatzer, MD, Jonathan Rosenberg, MD, Christopher M. Nolte, MD, David Applebaum, MD, Jonathan M. Tarrash, MD, and Paula Soto, RN/BSN. This content complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. The library commenced development on September 1, 2005 with the latest update/addition on February 16, 2022. For information on iHealthSpot’s other services including medical website design, visit www.iHealthSpot.com.

Welcome to the Patient Education Library of Georgetown Better Hearing Center

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