CHILDREN
Ears / Grommets
Children can get recurrent ear infections and fluid behind the eardrum (glue ear). Most young children will have this at some time but it doesn’t always cause problems. Grommets are needed If issues arise with hearing or speech development, or with recurrent ear infections.
Grommets are very small plastic tubes that are placed in the eardrum. Grommets let air into ,and fluid out of, the middle ear. Grommets usually fall out by themselves after about six months. – often this isn’t even noticed.
Tonsils and adenoids
The main reasons to remove these are recurrent tonsil infections, or for sleep apnoea. The latter occurs when the large tonsils (and adenoids) block the airway at night causing a lot of snoring and the possibility that breathing will be interrupted. Removal of the tonsils and adenoids can alleviate this.
Adults
Ears:
Hearing loss – this can be due to a blockage of the sound transfer in the outer and middle ears, which causes a conductive hearing loss. This may be from a simple thing like wax, or a more complex problem with the eardrum.
The other possibility is a sensory hearing loss where the problem lies in the inner ear or hearing nerve.
Outer ear infections – also known as ‘swimmers ear’ need to be cleared out under a microscope which can be performed in the rooms. Adequate assessment can then be made of the ear canal and eardrum and treatment started.
Surfers ear – bony overgrowths in the ear canal (exostoses). These can be removed with an operation if necessary.
Nose:
Nasal problems are common and can include problems with the sinuses. These can get inflamed and infected. The nose can be assessed with a small endoscope in the rooms to check for problems and treatment can then be started. Sometimes surgery is needed to open the sinuses or relieve blockage in the nose.
Throat:
Throat issues are common and can include problems with swallowing as well as changes in the voice. A full evaluation of this area can be done by means of a small flexible endoscope through the nose, looking further down into the throat and checking the voice box. Voice problems can be assessed. Endoscopy can also used to check for tumours and other abnormalities in the throat.
