Ear

Hearing loss can affect people of any age. One in six adults have some degree of hearing loss, which increase to three in four above the age of 75. Children can also be affected, usually due to fluid or infection in the middle ear but also due to congenital problems or viral illness during early childhood.

The three most common types of ear infections are otitis media (infection of the middle ear), otitis interna (also known as an inner ear infection or labyrinthitis), and otitis externa (also known as an outer ear infection or swimmer’s ear).

Tinnitus describes the condition when patients hear noises in their ears or their heads. Usually this noise is masked by environmental sounds. However when it becomes noticeable in every day life, it can become very irritating and becomes known as “tinnitus”.

Patients frequently complain of dizziness for which there are many possible causes which may have nothing to do with the balance organ in the inner ear. Fainting attacks, heart problems, thyroid problems and brain problems can all give rise to feelings of “light-headedness”, “giddiness” and general imbalance.

The anatomy of the middle ear cleft is extremely important in combined approach tympanoplasty. It relies on an accurate knowledge of the relationship between the facial nerve in its vertical portion and the chorda tympani.

A second look combined approach tympanoplasty is the operation that is undertaken between six and eighteen months following a first look intact wall mastoid exploration.