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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Neurotologist?
What is an audiologist?
What is a vestibular rehabilitation therapist?
What is dizziness?
Does vertigo mean the same as dizzy?
My ear feels full and plugged, why?
What is Meniere's Disease?
Why do I hear ringing in my ears?
What causes hearing loss?
What do I do if I have a hearing loss?
What is a cochlear implant?
The hospital said my baby needed a hearing test. Can you test hearing in an infant?
What type of hearing protector do I need for my work environment or hobby?
How is the vestibular system affected during a concussion?
What is a Neurotologist?
Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery is a specialty devoted to the care of adult and pediatric patients with problems of the ear, nose, throat, and neck. Training to become an otolaryngologist includes four years of medical school, one year of general surgery training and at least four years of otolaryngology training. An otologist/neurotologist is a board-certified otolaryngologist who provides medical and surgical care of patients, both adult and pediatric, with diseases that affect the ears, balance system, temporal bone, skull base, and related structures of the head and neck. The neurotologist is knowledgeable of the basic sciences of hearing, balance, nerve function, infectious disease, and anatomy of head and neck. Their diagnostic, medical, and surgical skills include treatment of hearing loss and tinnitus, dizziness, infectious and inflammatory diseases of the ear, facial nerve disorders, congenital malformations of the ear, and tumors of the ear, hearing nerve, and skull base. As part of a team with neurosurgeons, they manage diseases and disorders of the cranial nerves and skull base. Learn More...
What is an audiologist?
An audiologist is a licensed healthcare professional with specialized training in the field of hearing and balance. Audiologists have either a master’s level degree or a doctoral degree, and are trained to care for patients from birth through adulthood. Specifically, an audiologist evaluates, treats and aids in the management of individuals with hearing loss or balance problems. Additionally, audiologists specialize in the dispensing and fitting of hearing aids and assistive listening devices for individuals.
What is a vestibular rehabilitation therapist?
A vestibular rehabilitation therapist is a licensed physical or occupational therapist who has received post-graduate training in the evaluation and treatment of dizziness and balance disorders. At The Ears of Texas, our vestibular rehabilitation therapist has held a physical therapy license since 1991 and a vestibular certification since 1999. The vestibular rehabilitation therapist works in conjunction with the physician and with the audiologist to identify crucial elements of function that may be contributing to the symptoms of dizziness, vertigo and imbalance. She performs a comprehensive evaluation of strength, sensation, balance, walking ability, vision and overall tolerance to movement and positional changes. In combination with a thorough interview, these measurements will provide vital information with regard to strengths, weaknesses and limitations in a person’s overall balance system. Learn More...
What is dizziness?
Dizziness is a symptom, not a disease. People use the word to describe va rious sensations including spinning vertigo, imbalance, and lightheadedness. Dizziness can be caused by a multitude of disorders and requires expertise in making the appropriate diagnosis. Learn More..
Does vertigo mean the same as dizzy?
Vertigo is a term reserved for a sense of rotation, when the body is really at rest. Most often, vertigo is experienced as a spinning sensation like that experienced after getting off of a merry-go-round. Linear motion or a rocking motion is often described as unsteadiness / imbalance or dizziness..... Learn More...
My ear feels full and plugged, why?
A fullness or plugged sensation in the ear can be caused by a variety of conditions, including ear wax, ear infections, eardrum perforations, Eustachian tube problems, inflammation of the jaw joint (TMJ), and increased inner ear fluid pressure. A complete hearing exam and visit with the physician can determine the cause and then the appropriate treatment for your diagnosis. Learn More...
What is Meniere's Disease?
Meniere’s is classified as an inner ear disorder that causes repeated attacks of vertigo and the discomfort of fullness from the affected ear. The patient also suffers from tinnitus, or ringing in the ear(s), and fluctuating hearing loss. Meniere’s disease can be treated with both medically or surgically options. Learn More...
Why do I hear ringing in my ears?
Tinnitus is common disorder in which individuals hear a sound in one or both ears that does not come from the surrounding environment. It is frequently associated with age-related and noise-induced hearing loss, but can also indicate more rare conditions such as tumors on the hearing nerve. Learn More...
What causes hearing loss?
Hearing loss can be caused by a variety of issues: age, trauma, wax in the ear canal, fluid behind the eardrum, a problem with the cochlea (inner ear) or even the hearing nerve. Some hearing loss is permanent, while others are temporary. Learn More...
What do I do if I have a hearing loss?
Some hearing loss may be correctable by surgery while others are not. If the hearing loss is permanent, a hearing aid can often provide the individual with access to speech sounds to improve communication. At Ears of Texas, we have an audiologist dedicated to providing hearing aid services to individuals. If the hearing loss is very severe, a cochlear implant may be recommended. Learn More
What is a cochlear implant?
A cochlear implant is only for those individuals with a severe-profound hearing loss in both ears. It is an electronic device that is surgically implanted in the cochlea and with the external speech processor, it directly stimulates the auditory nerve to provide sound to the individual. Learn More...
The hospital said my baby needed a hearing test. Can you test hearing in an infant?
One out of every 500 babies has hearing loss. Testing can be performed at any age; our clinic has specialized equipment to test infants. Learn More..
What type of hearing protector do I need for my work environment or hobby?
This answer is different for everyone. By discussing your options with an audiologist, the most appropriate and comfortable hearing protection can be determined. There is no right or wrong choice, as long as you chose a hearing protector with adequate protection and you use it correctly for the entire time you are exposed to loud noise. Learn More...
How is the vestibular system affected during a concussion?
A concussion is defined as an immediate acceleration, deceleration, or stopping event causing temporary or permanent damage to the structures of the head. The vestibular system and more specifically the labyrinthine structures within the inner ear appear to be more susceptible to blunt head trauma then the skull or brain. Symptoms from both types of concussions can be similar; however the treatment for each is significantly different. This is why even “small concussions” can cause lasting problems and it is never too late to seek effective treatment for your symptoms. Learn More...