Ear Pain and Otomastoiditis
Ear Surgery Houston
Specialized Care for Ear Pain and Otomastoiditis in Houston
Struggling with persistent ear pressure or a recurring earache? Turn to HEAR Surgical Associates, a trusted provider of specialized ear care in Houston. We provide comprehensive medical and surgical treatments for patients dealing with complex ear infections and hearing changes.
Our team, led by a fellowship-trained ear surgeon, diagnoses and treats conditions ranging from simple blockages to advanced bone infections, such as otomastoiditis. If you are experiencing sharp pain, drainage, or sudden hearing loss, you can schedule a same-day appointment or a video consultation to get answers quickly.
How We Help / Conditions We Treat
Hear Better With a Dry, Non-Draining Ear
At HEAR Surgical Associates, we use advanced diagnostic tools to view the internal structures of the ear. This allows us to determine the best possible path to recovery, whether that involves medication for an infected ear or otomastoiditis surgery.
Repeated Ear Infections
Chronic infections occur when fluid becomes trapped behind the eardrum, allowing bacteria to multiply over time.
Hole In Eardrum
A perforated eardrum can result from trauma or severe infection and often causes hearing loss or recurring drainage. Eardrum repair or tympanoplasty may be necessary if the condition doesn’t resolve on its own.
Draining Ear
Fluid or pus leaking from the ear canal usually indicates a middle ear infection or a more complex issue, such as a cholesteatoma.
Ear Pain
This can come about due to a wide range of causes, from physical injuries and blockages caused by foreign objects to ear infections.
Hearing Loss
Sudden or gradual changes in your hearing require prompt evaluation to identify reversible causes or permanent damage.
Otomastoiditis Meaning
Otomastoiditis is a serious medical condition that occurs when a middle ear infection spreads into the mastoid bone. This honeycomb-like bone, located directly behind your ear, helps drain the middle ear space.
This condition can be acute, meaning it occurs suddenly with intense symptoms, or chronic. Chronic otomastoiditis is a long-term infection that often results from repeated middle ear issues that never fully clear.
Prompt otomastoiditis treatment is necessary to prevent the infection from reaching the inner ear or the protective lining of the brain. Most patients require a targeted course of antibiotics, though some cases may need a minor surgical procedure to drain the affected area.
Other Conditions That Cause Ear Pain
Ear pain can originate from several areas, including the outer ear canal, the middle ear, or even the jaw joint. Identifying the specific cause of your discomfort is the first step toward finding a long-term solution.
HEAR Surgical Associates evaluates your symptoms to determine if your pain stems from a temporary infection or a structural issue that requires specialized care.
Conditions with ear pain as a symptom include:
- Otitis Externa (Swimmer’s Ear): An infection of the outer ear canal often caused by water remaining in the ear after swimming or bathing
- Cholesteatoma: A non-cancerous skin growth that develops in the middle ear, often behind the eardrum
- Eustachian Tube Dysfunction: Occurs when the tubes that equalize ear pressure become blocked
About Ear Surgery
Much of surgery for the ear involves the repair of structures that have been damaged from repeated ear infections, otomastoiditis, or occasionally trauma. Sometimes the infections are persistent despite medical treatment and it may lead to ear pain and an ear that is frequently draining and unresponsive to conservative management over many years – this is termed chronic ear disease. Sometimes chronic ear disease leads to cholesteatoma formation.
Surgical management of chronic ear disease involves variations of three types of procedures:
Repair Hole in Eardrum and Improve Hearing
TYMPANOPLASTY
This term refers to a surgical procedure used to restore hearing using special techniques to graft the tympanic membrane (eardrum) and to reconstruct the middle ear so that sound vibrations can be transmitted to the inner ear.
Remove Infected Bone/Tissue and Relieve Ear Pain
MASTOIDECTOMY
Despite the development of antibiotics and diligent research on the part of physicians, ears occasionally become infected with persistent tissue (cholesteatoma or granulation tissue), beyond the point where medicine will be any further help to them. When this situation arises, the patient needs a surgical procedure to help correct the infection.
Treat Otomastoiditis and Restore Hearing
TYMPANOMASTOIDECTOMY
Depending on the specific condition in the patient’s ear, an operation on the mastoid bone to control infection may be done, together with a procedure to restore hearing. The middle ear bones (ossicles) may need to be replaced due to damage from infection. A prosthetic device made of plastic materials, wire, or cartilage is used in the replacement of natural ossicles.
“….I was totally deaf in my left ear……I had severe chronic otomastoiditis that had eroded two of the small bones in my ear. Told that the odds of me regaining any hearing in that ear were slim.
Referred to Dr. Sana and after a 4 hour long mastoid surgery with a tympanoplasty and ossicular chain reconstruction, my hearing is returned to almost perfect….I wouldn’t trust another doctor to work on my ear….. He is a Godsend and a blessing to all his patients.”
Chelsea P.
“Dr Sana is simply amazing – he operated on my ear that I have had trouble with for many years and it has made such a difference. His staff is just amazing and if I need anything or need to be seen on short notice Dr Sana and his staff work me in every time.”
Ellen S.
“We highly recommend Dr. Sana. After three weeks of a bad ear infection, he was recommended to my husband by another doctor. He was very personable, and more than that very knowledgeable. He knew right away what the problem was. He not only gave him the correct medication but advised us on how to keep the infection from happening again. Again, highly recommend Dr Said Sana.”
Janet M.
Meet Our Ear Surgeon – Otologist in Houston
Dr. Said S. Sana DO
Dr. Sana is a fellowship-trained otologist who specializes in the surgical repair of hearing and the management of chronic ear disease. His advanced training allows him to perform complex procedures that many general ENT doctors do not. Patients in the North Houston area can access this high level of subspecialty care locally without traveling to the Texas Medical Center or downtown Houston.
“It is truly a privilege to be able to care for people as they progress through their lives.”
Our Network
Connected Across Texas
HEAR Surgical Associates takes pride in being part of the Memorial Hermann Physician Network. This affiliation links our practice to a group of over 3,500 healthcare providers throughout the Greater Houston Area.
Our participation in this network ensures your health information stays connected across the entire system. If we refer you to a specialist or hospital, your records and treatment plans are available to your new team, allowing for a seamless transition and continuity of care.
Why Choose HEAR Surgical Associates
We provide specialized ear care to patients throughout Houston. Our clinic focuses on delivering high-quality, compassionate care in a convenient and accessible environment.
- Access to Subspecialty Expertise: Our clinic is led by a fellowship-trained ear surgeon with extensive experience in both routine ear tube procedures and surgical otomastoiditis treatment in Houston.
- Care That Fits Your Schedule: We offer same-day appointments for urgent ear pain and otomastoiditis symptoms. Secure telehealth consultations are available for patients who wish to get care remotely.
Comprehensive Ear Care: Patients can access a full range of services under one roof, including diagnostic hearing tests, otomastoiditis surgery, and post-operative monitoring.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my ear pain requires surgery?
Most ear pain cases resolve with antibiotics or professional cleaning, but surgery might be necessary for structural issues. A surgeon may recommend a procedure if you have a non-healing hole in your eardrum or chronic infections that do not respond to medication.
Is ear surgery performed as an outpatient procedure?
Many modern ear surgeries are minimally invasive and allow patients to return home the same day. Your surgeon will discuss the specific recovery timeline based on whether the procedure involves the eardrum, the small bones of the ear, called ossicles, or the mastoid bone.
Can children see an otologist for recurring ear infections?
Yes, children who suffer from frequent infections or persistent fluid in their ears often benefit from a specialist evaluation. We provide pediatric consultations to determine if ear tubes or other interventions are the best way to protect their hearing and speech development.
What should I expect during my first visit for ear pain?
During your visit, Dr. Sana will examine your ear using a microscope to get a detailed view of the eardrum. We may also perform a hearing test or a pressure test to see how well your middle ear is functioning.
Schedule a Visit
Chronic ear pain and drainage should not be a permanent part of your life. The team at HEAR Surgical Associates has the specialized training required to treat complex ear diseases and restore your hearing health through proven medical and surgical methods. Whether you need a second opinion on a chronic issue or urgent care for a new symptom, we are ready to assist you.
Call (346) 371-4327 or message us online today to learn more or arrange a consultation.