Hearing and balance play an essential role in our daily lives, yet many people overlook subtle symptoms that indicate potential ear issues. From persistent ear infections to dizziness and hearing loss, these conditions can significantly impact a person’s well-being and quality of life.
In Singapore, ENT doctors provide specialized care for a wide range of ear-related disorders. Whether it’s a minor issue like buildup or a more complex balance disorder, seeking timely medical attention can prevent complications. This guide explores some of the most common ear and balance conditions, their causes, symptoms, and when to seek professional help from an ENT surgeon.
1. Earwax Buildup & Eardrum Perforation
What is Earwax Buildup?
Earwax, or cerumen, is a natural substance produced by glands in the ear canal to protect your ears from dust, bacteria, and foreign particles. While it plays an important role in ear health, excessive buildup can lead to impaction, causing discomfort, hearing loss, and even dizziness.
Symptoms of Impacted Earwax:
- A sensation of fullness in the ear
- Muffled hearing
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Ear pain or discomfort
- Dizziness or balance issues
Why Self-Cleaning Can Be Harmful
Many people attempt to remove earwax at home using cotton buds, ear candles, or other tools. However, these methods often push the wax further into the ear canal, increasing the risk of impaction and damage to the eardrum.
How an ENT Doctor Can Help
Singapore ENT doctors use safe and effective methods to remove earwax, such as micro-suction or irrigation. These procedures are quick, painless, and significantly reduce the risk of complications.
Eardrum Perforation: Causes & Symptoms
The eardrum (tympanic membrane) is a delicate tissue that separates the outer and middle ear. A perforation can occur due to infections, trauma, or sudden pressure changes (such as during flights or scuba diving).
Common Causes:
- Ear infections: Fluid buildup behind the eardrum can cause rupture.
- Loud noises: Exposure to sudden, intense sounds (e.g., explosions, gunshots) can tear the eardrum.
- Foreign objects: Inserting objects like cotton swabs too deeply into the ear canal can cause damage.
- Barotrauma: Rapid pressure changes, such as during air travel or diving, may lead to perforation.
Symptoms of a Perforated Eardrum:
- Sudden ear pain
- Hearing loss in the affected ear
- Clear, pus-like, or bloody drainage from the ear
- Tinnitus (ringing or buzzing sound)
- Vertigo or dizziness
When to See an ENT Surgeon
Mild eardrum perforations may heal on their own within weeks. However, if symptoms persist or worsen, an ENT physician may recommend medications, ear protection, or in severe cases, a minor surgical procedure called tympanoplasty to repair the perforation.
2. Tinnitus: That Persistent Ringing in the Ears
Understanding Tinnitus
Tinnitus is characterized by a constant ringing, buzzing, or hissing sound in the ears, even when no external noise is present. This condition can be temporary or chronic, affecting concentration, sleep, and overall well-being.
Common Causes of Tinnitus:
- Exposure to loud noise: Frequent exposure to loud environments (concerts, construction sites) can damage the auditory system.
- Hearing loss: Age-related hearing decline often leads to tinnitus.
- Ear infections or blockages: Excessive earwax or fluid buildup can trigger ringing.
- Medications: Certain antibiotics, painkillers, and diuretics are known to cause tinnitus.
- Neck or jaw issues: Conditions like temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders can contribute to tinnitus.
When to See an ENT Physician
While occasional ringing may not be a concern, persistent or worsening tinnitus should be evaluated by an ENT doctor. Diagnosis often involves hearing tests, imaging scans, and a detailed patient history.
Treatment Options:
- Sound therapy: White noise machines or hearing aids can help mask tinnitus.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): Helps patients manage the emotional impact of tinnitus.
- Lifestyle modifications: Reducing caffeine, alcohol, and managing stress can minimize symptoms.
3. Vertigo & Balance Disorders
Experiencing sudden dizziness or a spinning sensation? These symptoms could be linked to balance disorders that stem from the inner ear. The vestibular system plays a crucial role in maintaining balance, and when it malfunctions, it can lead to unsteadiness, nausea, and difficulty walking.
Common Balance Disorders & Their Symptoms
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
BPPV is one of the most common causes of vertigo, triggered by tiny calcium particles shifting within the inner ear. It often occurs when changing positions, such as turning in bed or getting up too quickly.
Symptoms:
- Brief episodes of vertigo triggered by head movements
- Nausea and unsteadiness
- No hearing loss or ringing in the ears
Treatment:
BPPV is often treated using the Epley maneuver, a series of head movements performed by an ENT specialist to reposition the displaced crystals.
Meniere’s Disease
This condition is associated with episodes of severe vertigo, ringing in the ears, and fluctuating hearing loss.
Symptoms:
- Recurring episodes of severe vertigo
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
- Fluctuating hearing loss
- A feeling of fullness in the affected ear
Treatment:
It is believed to be linked to fluid buildup in the inner ear, and while there is no permanent cure, lifestyle adjustments, medications, and in some cases, surgical interventions can help manage the symptoms. While there is no cure, dietary changes (reducing salt intake), medication, and in severe cases, surgery, can help manage symptoms.
Vestibular Neuronitis & Viral Labyrinthitis
These conditions result from viral infections affecting the vestibular nerve or inner ear, leading to sudden dizziness, nausea, and imbalance.
Symptoms:
- Severe vertigo lasting hours to days
- Nausea and vomiting
- Difficulty maintaining balance
- No hearing loss in vestibular neuronitis; hearing loss may occur in labyrinthitis
Treatment:
Symptoms often improve over weeks, but vestibular rehabilitation therapy and medications can aid recovery.
4. Seeking ENT Care in Singapore
Some otolaryngologists specialize in diagnosing and treating hearing and balance disorders. But how do you know when to seek medical attention?
Signs You Should See an ENT Doctor:
- Persistent ear pain, pressure, or hearing loss
- Frequent dizziness or imbalance
- Continuous ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Recurrent ear infections or fluid drainage
- Sensation of spinning (vertigo) affecting daily life
Early diagnosis can prevent complications and improve treatment outcomes. ENT specialists use advanced diagnostic tools such as audiometry, vestibular testing, and imaging scans to identify underlying conditions.
Conclusion
Hearing and balance disorders, if left untreated, can lead to long-term complications affecting mobility, communication, and quality of life. Recognizing the symptoms early and consulting an experienced ENT surgeon can make a significant difference in managing these conditions.
Whether it’s persistent tinnitus, vertigo, or ear infections, ENT physicians offer specialized treatments to help patients regain their hearing and stability. If you’re experiencing ongoing ear or balance issues, don’t hesitate to seek professional medical advice to ensure long-term ear health.
