Ear Nose & Throat Associates Of Johnstown

Acute otitis media, commonly referred to as an ear infection, is most often a bacterial or viral infection that has taken toll on the middle ear. Ear infections are frequently painful due to inflammation and buildup of fluids in the air-filled space behind the eardrum.

Adenoids are small lumps of tissue located above the tonsils and are an important component of a child’s immune system, trapping bacteria and germs. While problems with adenoids are temporary and easily treated, there may be times when more aggressive steps need to be taken.

Did you know that smoking and exposure to second hand smoke can increase risks for hearing loss? Recent studies have shown that nicotine disrupts the brain’s ability to interpret sound. If you are trying to protect your hearing, please stop smoking and reduce your exposure to second hands smoke.

Really loud noises, such as an explosion, can produce sound waves that are too strong for your eardrums. When these sounds waves are too strong, they may cause damage to your eardrum and cochlea, sometimes resulting in perforated eardrums.

Can nighttime bottles and pacifiers in the crib increase the risk of ear infections? Yes. This is one reason why it is best to forgo giving children access to pacifiers or bottles throughout the entire night instead, nighttime supervised feedings when necessary are best.

Do you have problems breathing from your nose, particularly from one side? Do you seem to never shake sinus infections? These can be symptoms of a deviated septum, which can be corrected by your otolaryngologist.

Hearing loss is a serious problem and affects almost ten percent of the population. One of the issues with it is that it can be so gradual that it is difficult for an individual to detect deterioration. Regular checkups, especially as you grow older, will alert you to problems.

Typically, the air pressure in your middle ear is in balance with the air pressure in the environment. However, flying in an airplane, driving high in the mountains, or scuba diving can cause too sudden of changes in air pressure which may result in damage to the eardrum.

Do others ask you to turn down the volume on the TV or radio? Is it difficult to hear someone clearly in a crowded place like a shopping mall or at a concert? These are among the signs of hearing loss.

Hearing aids date back to the 17th century, although the earliest models were nothing like today's electronic hearing aids. One of the earliest models was called the Metal Ear. It was shaped something like a large cone that was meant to capture sounds and funnel them into the ear.

Whether your otolaryngologist recommends one or two hearing aids depends on your particular hearing loss. If you have hearing issues in both ears, wearing two hearing aids should make it easier for you to locate where sounds are coming from and to hear better in situations with lots of background noise.

Spasmodic dysphonia is a neurological disorder that affects your voice muscles in your larynx. This disorder causes your voice to break and can give your voice a tight or strained quality. It's a rare disorder, but can affect anyone.

While medical specialists are nothing new, did you know that otolaryngology is the oldest of medical specializations in the United States? Generically known as Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) doctors, they specialize in treating disorders of the head and neck.