Ear Tubes Center - Westfield, MAWestfield 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 Westfield * Keenan, Malladi & O'Neill PC  Keenan, Malladi & O'Neill PC  Keenan, Malladi & O'Neill PC  Ear Nose Throat Surgeons of Western New England LLC  Ear Nose Throat Surgeons of Western New England LLC  Ear Nose Throat Surgeons of Western New England LLC  Ear Nose Throat Surgeons of Western New England LLC  Ear Nose Throat Surgeons of Western New England LLC  Ear Nose Throat Surgeons of Western New England LLC  Ear Nose Throat Surgeons of Western New England LLC  Robert Osofsky MD  Elizabeth T Arsenio MD  Louis G Petcu MD  Wing Medical Center  Wing Medical Center  Allcroft Facial Plastic Surgery  Pioneer Valley ENT Surgeons  ENT Associates of Worcester Inc  Berkshire ENT  Paul J Maher MD  ENT Associates of Worcester Inc  Daniel H Ervin DO  Associates In Otolaryngology  Associates In Otolaryngology  Bentkover Facial Plastic Surgery and Laser Center  John P DiCicco Jr. MD  Fallon Medical Center Otolaryngology  Fallon Medical Center Otolaryngology  UMass Memorial Medical Center Otolaryngology & Head & Neck Surgery  UMass Memorial Medical Center Otolaryngology & Head & Neck Surgery  James P Hughes MD PC  Central Massachusetts Otolaryngology  Min Ahn MD  Tri County Ear, Nose & Throat, Head & Neck Surgery  Aragam K Subramanya MD  Pediatrics and Adult Ophthalmics  West Suburban Center for Otolaryngology  Ear Nose & Throat Eastern MA  Metro West Ear Nose & Throat  Metro West Ear Nose & Throat  Metro West Ear Nose & Throat  Stephen A Smith MD  The Otolaryngology Group PC  The Otolaryngology Group PC  ENT Specialists  ENT Specialists  Massachusetts Ear, Nose & Throat Associates  Massachusetts Ear, Nose & Throat Associates  Massachusetts Ear, Nose & Throat Associates  Massachusetts Ear, Nose & Throat Associates  Massachusetts Ear, Nose & Throat Associates  Noble Gabriel MD  West Suburban Center for Otolaryngology  Ely Kirschner MD  West Suburban Center for Otolaryngology  West Suburban Center for Otolaryngology  West Suburban Center for Otolaryngology  Boston ENT Associates  Boston ENT Associates Westfield, MassachusettsUpcoming Local Events2012-05-26
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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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Nearby Westfield Hospitals *Western Massachusetts Hospital Baystate Medical Center Mercy Medical Center Weldon Rehabilitation Hospital Shriners Hospital for Children Noble Hospital Providence Hospital Kindred Hospital Park View Holyoke Medical Center HEALTHSOUTH Rehabilitation Hospital of Western Massachusetts Cooley Dickinson Hospital Northampton VA Medical Center Wing Memorial Hospital & Medical Center Johnson Memorial Hospital Rockville General Hospital St Francis Care Hospital Mount Sinai Campus The Hospital at Hebrew Healthcare Mount Sinai Rehabilitation Hospital St Francis Hospital & Medical Center Manchester Memorial Hospital Baystate Mary Lane Hospital Hungerford Emergency & Medical Care Connecticut Children's Medical Center Hartford Hospital Institute of Living Hartford Hospital University of Connecticut Health Center John Dempsey VA Connecticut Healthcare System Newington Campus Cedarcrest Hospital Hospital for Special Care The Hospital of Central Connecticut New Britain Campus Veterans Home & Hospital Rocky Hill Harrington Memorial Hospital Charlotte Hungerford Hospital Bristol Hospital Franklin Medical Center 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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