Ear Tubes Center - Belleville, ILBelleville Ear, Nose, & Throat Doctor Doctors for Ear TubesType of Physician: Ear, Nose, & Throat Doctor What is a Ear, Nose, & Throat Doctor? A certification by the Board of Otolaryngology; practitioners provide comprehensive medical and surgical care of patients with diseases and disorders that affect the ears, the respiratory and upper alimentary systems (nose, mouth and throat) and related structures. Specialty: Ear, Nose & Throat (Otolaryngology) Common Name: Ear, Nose, Throat Doctor Ear, Nose, & Throat Doctor Doctors in Belleville * Wallace P Berkowitz MD  Ear Nose & Throat Institute of Southern Illinois  Ear Nose & Throat Institute of Southern Illinois  Larry C Dobbs MD  Lloyd E Thompson MD  Illinois Ear Nose & Throat  Illinois Ear Nose & Throat  ENT & Sleep Medicine Associates, llc  Illini Medical Associates  Prashant Shah MD  Jacques Papazian MD  Midwest ENT Clinic  Delaney Clinic  Springfield Clinic Main Campus West ENT  Springfield Clinic Main Campus West ENT  Springfield Clinic Main Campus West ENT  Springfield Clinic Main Campus E Otolaryngology  SIU School of Medicine Division of Otolaryngology  SIU School of Medicine Division of Otolaryngology  SIU School of Medicine Division of Otolaryngology  SIU School of Medicine Division of Otolaryngology  SIU School of Medicine Division of Otolaryngology  SIU School of Medicine Division of Otolaryngology Belleville, IllinoisUpcoming Local Events2012-06-09
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Ear TubesIntroductionThe following information is provided to help you understand more clearly the associated benefits, risks, and complications of ear tube surgery. Ask your doctor any questions that you feel necessary to help you better understand the procedure. What is the purpose for ear tubes?Middle ear infections (otitis media) are common in children. When a child has repeated ear infections or fluid build-up in the ears that do not go away easily or that cause hearing problems or speech delays, a doctor may recommend surgery to insert an ear tube to allow the eardrum to equalize the pressure. The surgery, called a myringotomy, is a tiny incision in the eardrum. Any fluid, usually thickened secretions will be removed. In most situations, a small plastic tube (a tympanostomy tube) is inserted into the eardrum to keep the middle ear aerated for a prolonged period of time. These ventilating tubes remain in place for six months to several years. Eventually, they will move out of the eardrum (extrude) and fall into the ear canal. Your doctor may remove the tube during a routine office visit or it may simply fall out of the ear. Less common conditions that may call for the placement of ear tubes are malformation of the ear drum or Eustachian tube, Down's syndrome, cleft palate, and barotrauma (middle ear injury caused by a reduction of air pressure), according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology. What are risks and complications of ear tubes?While ear tube surgery is common, minor complications can occur in up to half of the children who have them inserted. Complications include:
Recommended Reading Related to Ear TubesWhat is ear wax?The skin on the outer part of the ear canal has special glands that produce ear wax, also known as cerumen. The purpose of this natural wax is to protect the ear from damage and infections. Normally, a small amount of wax accumulates and then dries up and falls out of the ear canal, carrying with it unwanted dust or sand particles. Ear wax is helpful to coat the skin of the ear canal where it acts as a temporary water repellent. The absence of ear wax may result in dry, itchy ears, and even infection. What does ear wax look like?Cerumen varies in form and appearance from person to person. It may be almost liquid, firm and solid, or dry and flaky. The color of ear wax varies depending upon its composition. Glandular secretions, sloughed skin cells, normal bacteria present on the surface of the canal, and water may are present in ear wax.
Other Related Ear Tubes ArticlesEmergency Contact for Belleville
Nearby Belleville Hospitals *St Elizabeth's Hospital Belleville Memorial Hospital Belleville Touchette Regional Hospital Kenneth Hall Regional Hospital St Alexius Hospital Broadway Campus Gateway Regional Medical Center SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center Anderson Hospital Saint Louis University Hospital St Louis VA Medical Center John Cochran Division St Louis VA Medical Center Jefferson Barracks St Louis Psychiatric Rehabilitation Center The Rehabilitation Institute of St Louis St Louis Children's Hospital Barnes-Jewish Hospital South Campus Barnes-Jewish Hospital North Campus Kindred Hospital St Louis Forest Park Community Hospital Select Specialty Hospital St Louis Metropolitan St Louis Psychiatric Center SSM Rehab SSM St Mary's Health Center Red Bud Regional Hospital  Hawthorn Children's Psychiatric Hospital  St Anthony's Medical Center  Kindred Hospital St Anthony's  Christian Hospital NE  St Joseph's Hospital of Highland  Shriners Hospital for Children  St Luke's Urgent Care Center in Fenton  Des Peres Hospital  Missouri Baptist Medical Center  St Joseph's Hospital Breese  Northwest HealthCare  SSM St Clare Health Center  St John's Mercy Medical Center  Ranken Jordan Pediatric Rehabilitation  St Clare's Hospital  Alton Memorial Hospital  Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital  Dubuis Hospital of St Louis  Jefferson Regional Medical Center  St Anthony's Health Center  SSM DePaul Health Center  St Luke's Hospital  St John's Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital  Sparta Community Hospital  SSM St Joseph Health Center  St Luke's Urgent Care Center on Clarkson Road  Washington County Hospital Featured Articles*Provider Directory Terms of Use: The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein. Inclusion in the Provider Directory does not imply recommendation or endorsement nor does omission in the Provider Directory imply WebMD disapproval. |
Suggested Reading on Ear Tubes by Our Doctors
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Related Diseases & Conditions
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Eustachian Tube Problems (Problems Clearing Your Ears)
- The Eustachian tube is a membrane lined tube that connects the middle ear space to the back of the nose. Problems include partial or complete blockage which can cause popping, clicking, and ear fullness. Allergies, sinus and ear infections, or the common cold can cause this blockage, while altitude changes can cause symptoms in those persons with Eustachian tube problems. Treatment includes several maneuvers (swallowing, chewing gum, yawning etc.), which can be done to improve Eustachian tube function.
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Achondroplasia
- A common form of short stature, achondroplasia (dwarfism) is a genetic condition causing a disorder of bone growth. Complications of achondroplasia that need monitoring include (this is not all inclusive) stenosis and compression of the spinal cord, a large opening under the skull, lordosis, kyphosis, spinal stenosis, hydrocephalus, middle ear infections, obesity, and dental crowning. Achondroplasia is caused by mutations of the FGFR3 gene.
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Ear Wax
- Ear was is a natural substance secreted by special glands in the skin on the outer part of the ear canal. It repels water, and traps dust and sand particles. Usually a small amount of wax accumulates, dries up, and then falls out of the ear canal carrying with it unwanted particles. Under ideal circumstances, you should never have to clean your ear canals. The absence of ear wax may result in dry, itchy ears, and even infection. Ear wax may accumulate in the ear for a variety of reasons including; narrowing of the ear canal, production of less ear wax due to aging, or an overproduction of ear wax in response to trauma or blockage within the ear canal.
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Cleft Palate and Cleft Lip
- Cleft palate and cleft lip are facial and oral defects that occur early in pregnancy. A cleft lip is a split of the two sides of the upper lip, and a cleft palate is a split in the roof of the mouth. Cleft lip the fourth most common birth defect in the U.S. Repair of a cleft palate or cleft lip may require multiple surgeries.
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Swimmer's Ear
- Swimmer's ear (external otitis) is an infection of the skin that covers the outer ear canal. Causes of swimmer's ear include excessive water exposure that leads to trapped bacteria in the ear canal. Symptoms include a feeling of fullness in the ear, itching, and ear pain. Chronic swimmer's ear may be caused by eczema, seborrhea, fungus, chronic irritation, and other conditions. Common treatment includes antibiotic ear drops.
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Noise Induced Hearing Loss and Its Prevention
- Noise-induced hearing loss may be an acoustic trauma (temporary hearing loss), or permanent due to an acute acoustic trauma. Experts agree that continual exposure to more then 85 dBs (decibels) is dangerous to the ears. Ear plugs and ear muffs can help prevent noise-induced hearing loss as well as decreasing exposure to loud noises.
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Eustachian Tube Problems (Problems Clearing Your Ears)
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