Ear Tubes Center - Bellingham, WABellingham 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 Bellingham * Bellingham ENT& Facial Plastic Surgery  Bellingham ENT& Facial Plastic Surgery  Bellingham ENT& Facial Plastic Surgery  Bellingham ENT& Facial Plastic Surgery  Cascade Ear Nose & Throat  Cascade Ear Nose & Throat  Cascade Ear Nose & Throat  Cascade Ear Nose & Throat  Mark Cichowski MD  Cascade Ear Nose & Throat  Drs Drumheller & Mueller  Puget Sound Ear Nose & Throat  Puget Sound Ear Nose & Throat  Puget Sound Ear Nose & Throat  Puget Sound Ear Nose & Throat  North Kitsap Ear, Nose & Throat Clinic  Stanley Herschberg DO  NorthWest Face  NorthWest Face  Alan W Langman MD  Evergreen Ear Nose & Throat  Evergreen Ear Nose & Throat  Evergreen Ear Nose & Throat  Northwest Pediatric Otolaryngology Group  Agnes K Yue MD  Childrens Hospital Surgery Dept  Childrens Hospital Surgery Dept  Childrens Hospital Surgery Dept  Childrens Hospital Surgery Dept  Childrens Hospital Surgery Dept  UWMC Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery  UWMC Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery  UWMC Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery  UWMC Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery  UWMC Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery  UWMC Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery  UWMC Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery  UWMC Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery  UWMC Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery  UWMC Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery  UWMC Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery  UWMC Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery  UWMC Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery  UWMC Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery  UWMC Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery  UWMC Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery  Eastside Ear Nose & Throat  Eastside Ear Nose & Throat  Eastside Ear Nose & Throat  Seattle Ear Clinic  The Polyclinic Otolaryngology  The Polyclinic Otolaryngology  The Polyclinic Otolaryngology  The Polyclinic Otolaryngology & Audiology  The Polyclinic Internal Medicine  Virginia Mason Seattle Main  Pacific Medical Centers  Virginia Mason Seattle Main  Virginia Mason Seattle Main  Virginia Mason Seattle Main  The Polyclinic Ophthalmology  Head & Neck Surgery  Virginia Mason Seattle Main  Virginia Mason Seattle Main  Pacific Medical Centers  Matthew L Wong MD  Minor & James Medical Group PLLC  Minor & James Medical Group PLLC  Minor & James Medical Group PLLC  Seattle Head Neck & Plastic Surgeons  Seattle Head Neck & Plastic Surgeons  Harborview Medical Center Otolaryngology  Harborview Medical Center Otolaryngology  Harborview Medical Center Otolaryngology  Bel-Red Center Aesthetic Surgery PS  Bellevue Ear Nose & Throat Clinic  Bellevue Ear Nose & Throat Clinic  Bellevue Ear Nose & Throat Clinic  Bellevue Ear Nose & Throat Clinic  Bellevue Ear Nose & Throat Clinic  Stephen A Habener MD  Sound ENT Consultants  Sound ENT Consultants  VA Puget Sound Health Care System  VA Puget Sound Health Care System  Sammamish Facial Plastic Surgery Ctr  Lisa Mulligan MD  South Seattle Otolaryngology  South Seattle Otolaryngology  South Seattle Otolaryngology  Santo S Santos MD  Charles H Caplin MD  Eric T Waterman MD  Martin R Greget MD  Covington Multicare Clinic ENT  Covington Multicare Clinic ENT  Green River Surgical Associates  Green River Surgical Associates Bellingham, WashingtonUpcoming Local Events2012-06-03
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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.
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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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