Ear surgery is performed to treat diseases, injuries and deformations of the ear. There are many types of ear surgeries because there are many problems that can affect the ear.
Common ear surgeries include ossicular chain reconstructions to treat hearing loss, myringoplasty or tympanoplasty to reconstruct damaged eardrums, mastoidectomy to eliminate disease or infection, ear tube surgery, cochlear implant surgery, tumor removal, and surgery for congenital ear defects. We utilize advancing technologies like endoscopic techniques and laser surgery for the middle ear to reduce the amount of trauma to the ear and promote faster and easier recoveries.
Ear Tubes
Ear tubes are a common treatment for chronic or recurrent ear infections, which are most prevalent in young children, but also occur in teens and adults. Ear tubes are small cylinders that are surgically implanted within the eardrums to allow air and fluid to flow to and from the middle ear. Ear tubes can either be a short term treatment (six months to a year) that fall out on their own or a long-term treatment that requires removal at the doctor’s discretion.
Otoplasty
Otoplasty is a plastic surgery procedure that corrects deformities and defects of the external ear. Sometimes this involves reconstructing defective, or even absent, features of the ear due to birth defects or trauma. Another version is correction of protruding ears for cosmetic purposes.
Ear Drum Repair (Tympanoplasty)
A perforated eardrum, sometimes called a ruptured eardrum, may happen when the thin membrane between the ear canal and the middle ear is punctured by a foreign object or blown out by a loud noise. It can also be caused by infection or head trauma. A perforated eardrum can be very painful and may cause hearing loss. If the perforation is very small, it can heal on its own over time. However, a patch or even surgery may be required to reclose a severely perforated eardrum.
Stapedotomy
A stapedotomy is a surgery of the stapes bone in the middle ear. The stapes bone can become stuck and therefore not transfer sound waves traveling toward the inner ear, which results in hearing loss. The purpose of the surgery is to bypass the top of the stapes bone and allow sound waves to travel all the way to the inner ear.
Cholesteatoma Surgery
Cholesteatoma is a growth that occurs in the middle ear. It is not cancerous; however, it can still be dangerous because it may become infected and/or cause permanent hearing loss. Cholesteatoma can erode the bones of the ear, the balance canals and the bone under the brain as the cholesteatoma expands. Common symptoms include ear discharge and hearing loss. Cholesteatoma removal requires minor surgery.
Bone Anchored Hearing Aid Implant Surgery
A bone-anchored hearing device is a special type of implanted hearing aid that works by transmitting soundwaves directly through the skull rather than through the ear. The bone-anchored hearing device consists of three parts: a titanium fixture, an abutment and an external sound processor. The fixture is surgically implanted into the bone behind the ear so that only the titanium abutment is visible. The sound processor, which “catches” the vibrations of sound waves, transfers the waves through the abutment into the bone and then to the inner ear. It allows the user to still hear sounds naturally, similar to how one hears their own voice. Read More
Cochlear Implant Surgery
A cochlear implant is an advanced medical device designed to restore hearing for individuals with severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss. Unlike hearing aids, which amplify sound, cochlear implants bypass damaged parts of the inner ear and directly stimulate the auditory nerve, enabling the perception of sound. A cochlear implant has two main components. The external sound processor, worn behind the ear or on the scalp, captures sound from the environment, processes it, and transmits the processed signal to the internal implant. The surgically placed internal implant receives signals from the sound processor and delivers them to an electrode array inserted into the cochlea (inner ear). These electrodes stimulate the auditory nerve, allowing the brain to interpret these signals as sound.
Cochlear implant surgery is considered routine and is typically performed under general anesthesia. The process involves a small incision behind the ear, a small portion of bone is then removed to access the inner ear. The electrode array is carefully inserted into the cochlea (inner ear) under high-powered microscopic visualization and the internal implant is positioned under the skin. The incision is closed, often with dissolvable stitches, eliminating the need for removal later. The entire surgery usually lasts between one to two hours, and most patients can return home the same day. Most individuals can resume normal activities within a few days. The implant is typically activated two to four weeks after surgery, marking the beginning of the hearing restoration process.
If you or a loved one are considering a cochlear implant, it’s crucial to consult with a qualified otolaryngologist or audiologist to determine candidacy and to discuss the potential benefits and considerations of the procedure.