Ear Q&A
Ear pain can be a warning sign of infection, inflammation, and other inner or middle ear dysfunction. A ruptured eardrum can lead to fluid discharge from your ears, pain, and other symptoms. At Houston Ear Allergy and Rhinology Surgical Associates, diagnostic evaluations are available in-office and through a virtual telehealth platform to identify the cause of ear pain in children and adults. Surgical interventions are available to repair damaged eardrums and prevent additional complications. Board-certified and fellowship-trained ear surgeon Said Sana, DO specializes in advanced techniques to prevent chronic ear infections that put your eardrum at risk for rupture. He is trained in a range of advanced surgical techniques to improve ear drainage, repair perforated eardrums, and address other causes of persistent ear pain.
Call the Conroe or Spring, Texas office to schedule an evaluation for draining ear symptoms or book an appointment online today.
Draining Ear Q & A
What is draining ear?
Draining ear (otorrhea) is a condition that describes discharge from your ears. You may experience draining ear if an ear infection ruptures your eardrum. The rupture allows the fluid in your middle ear to drain out into your ear canal.
You can also develop a draining ear if you get water trapped in your ear after swimming or bathing or if you suffer head trauma. Kids who insert objects into their ears might also experience draining ear symptoms.
Houston Ear Allergy and Rhinology Surgical Associates provides comprehensive care for draining ear in kids and adults. Dr. Sana specializes in surgical treatments to repair your eardrum and improve the draining of fluids from your ear to prevent additional complications.
When should I get medical care for draining ear?
You should schedule a diagnostic evaluation at Houston Ear Allergy and Rhinology Surgical Associates if you experience any discharge from your ear, including:
• Clear, watery fluids
• Pus
• Mucus
• Blood
An evaluation is also important if your symptoms include fever, ear pain, face pressure, and other signs of an ear infection.
Dr. Sana completes a physical exam of your eardrum and checks your ear for signs of infection. He may also order blood work or other diagnostic tests to confirm the cause of draining ear symptoms.
Hearing tests are also available on-site to determine if underlying ear issues affect your hearing.
How is draining ear treated?
Initially, you may need antibiotics to clear existing infections in your ear. If the medications don’t resolve symptoms of draining ear, you may need surgery.
Dr. Sana provides outpatient surgeries to repair your eardrum and prevent infection and fluids from leaking. During tympanoplasty, he uses special techniques to graft the tympanic membrane (eardrum) and reconstruct your middle ear to protect your hearing.
Surgery is also available to reduce your risk for additional ear infections. Dr. Sana specializes in surgery to reposition or replace bones in your middle ear that are responsible for hearing and may contribute to recurrent infections. He also offers ear tube placement surgery for kids who experience frequent ear infections that put the eardrum at risk for rupture.
Call the Huntsville or Spring, Texas office to schedule an evaluation for draining ear symptoms or book an appointment online today.
Ear Pain Q & A
What causes ear pain?
Ear pain in children and adults can be a symptom of several underlying conditions, including:
• Earwax buildup
• Ear infection
• Sinus infection
• Swimmer’s ear
• Perforated eardrum
• Eustachian tube dysfunction
• Otomastoiditis (middle ear and mastoid inflammation)
Houston Ear Allergy and Rhinology Surgical Associates offers comprehensive care for ear pain, including in-office diagnostic testing and customized treatment plans. You can meet with Dr. Sana in the office or discuss your symptoms with him during a virtual telehealth appointment.
Dr. Sana focuses on relieving your pain by addressing its root cause. He offers nonsurgical therapies for symptom relief and can also perform surgery when necessary.
When should I seek treatment for ear pain?
You should schedule a diagnostic evaluation at Houston Ear Allergy and Rhinology Surgical Associates if you or your child experience ear pain or pressure that persists for over a day or two and isn’t treatable with over-the-counter pain relievers.
You should also schedule an appointment if you or your child experience:
• Fever
• Ear discharge
• Loss of hearing
• Ear pressure or popping
• Persistent itching in the ear canal
Dr. Sana completes a physical exam and checks inside your ear for signs of infection, fluid buildup, and other issues that can cause pain. He customizes a care plan to relieve your pain and prevent the recurrence of discomfort.
How is ear pain treated?
Your treatment plan for ear pain depends on its underlying cause.
If you or your child has excessive wax build-up, Dr. Sana can remove the wax during a simple in-office procedure. He can also prescribe antibiotics to clear infections in the middle or inner ear.
When nonsurgical therapies aren’t an option, you may be a candidate for surgery. Dr. Sana is fellowship-trained in advanced techniques for surgery to repair or remove damaged structures. He offers ear surgeries, including:
• Eustachian tube balloon dilation
• Drainage tube placement
• Eardrum perforation repair
• Hearing restoration
• Removal of infected bone/tissue
After surgery, Dr. Sana provides after-care services to ensure your ear heals fully. He also tests your hearing. If the cause of your ear pain results in hearing loss, Dr. Sana can provide hearing aids and other services.