Hearing Loss and Surgery
Treatment for Conditions Affecting the Ear
Hearing loss may occur at any age for various reasons. Though you may consider some hearing loss as inevitable, you should never take hearing for granted or leave it untreated.
Reach out to HEAR Associates for diagnosis and care.
Hearing Loss Diagnosis and Care in Houston
HEAR Surgical Associates is an otologist-led practice in Houston that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of hearing loss. We identify underlying causes of hearing loss to determine whether hearing aids, medication, ear tube surgery, or other interventions are appropriate for your situation.
If you have noticed a sudden drop in hearing or a feeling of fullness in your ear, reach out to us so we can evaluate your symptoms and create a tailored treatment plan.
How We Help/Conditions We Treat
Hearing loss often develops gradually, going unnoticed until it begins to interfere with daily life. While some changes in hearing are a natural part of aging, many cases stem from physical blockages, chronic infections, or structural damage within the ear.
At HEAR Surgical Associates, we see patients with varying degrees of hearing loss caused by a wide range of conditions. These include:
We treat most types of hearing conditions, including:
Simple Blockages
Physical obstructions like cerumen impaction (earwax buildup) or swelling from Otitis Externa (Swimmer’s Ear) can prevent sound waves from reaching the eardrum. These issues usually resolve quickly once the ear canal is professionally cleaned or the infection is treated with medication.
Eardrum and Pressure Issues
A perforation in the eardrum or Eustachian tube dysfunction can disrupt the way the ear processes sound. During an active infection, fluid or pus trapped behind the eardrum acts like a silencer, significantly muffling your ability to hear until the pressure is relieved.
STRUCTURAL DAMAGE
Chronic ear drainage or a growth called a cholesteatoma can cause physical damage to the ossicles, which are the tiny bones responsible for hearing. Conditions like Otosclerosis also cause these bones to stiffen, preventing them from vibrating correctly and leading to progressive hearing loss.
[There is] a linear relationship between severity of hearing loss and dementia risk: Individuals with mild, moderate and severe hearing loss had a two-, three-, and fivefold increased risk of dementia compared to those with normal hearing.*
*Cosetti, M. (2021) “Hearing Loss and Cognitive Decline: What Does the Data Say?,” Bulletin – American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, 40(9).
Hearing Surgery Houston
Restoring Hearing Improves Quality of Life
HEAR Surgical Associates provides comprehensive care for all your hearing needs, including hearing loss surgery when necessary.
Diagnosis
Patients begin with a comprehensive examination. Sometimes the solution can be as simple as removing ear wax/cerumen, or it may reveal a bigger issue such as a hole in the eardrum. Next, we obtain a diagnostic hearing test – this is designed to determine whether your hearing loss is sensorineural (nerve hearing loss) or conductive (indicating damage to the eardrum or bones of the middle ear). Hearing testing is essential in the workup for your hearing difficulty.
Treatment
Once we come to a diagnosis, HEAR Surgical Associates can assist you with finding the best treatment for you. There may be non-surgical options such as amplification with hearing aids, and sometimes patients may benefit from hearing surgery.
Ear Tube Surgery in Houston
Ear tube surgery or tympanostomy is one of the most common procedures used to treat recurring infections and persistent fluid backup. Our ear tube surgeon places a tiny, specialized tube into the eardrum to allow air to enter the middle ear and trapped fluid to drain away. This surgery equalized pressue and is often the most effective way to stop the cycle of earaches and muffled hearing in both children and adults.
Other Surgical Treatments for Hearing Loss
Depending on the cause of your hearing changes, surgery may be the most reliable way to restore your quality of life. We offer several specialized procedures to address structural damage or chronic disease within the ear.
Repair Hole in Eardrum
Tympanoplasty
This procedure closes a persistent perforation in the eardrum to protect the middle ear from infection and improve hearing.
Replace Damaged Middle Ear Bones
Ossicular Chain Reconstruction
When the tiny bones of hearing are damaged by infection or trauma, we use specialized implants to restore the connection and allow sound to pass through.
Treatment for Otosclerosis
Stapedectomy
This surgery involves replacing a stiffened stirrup bone with a prosthetic device to allow sound vibrations to reach the inner ear again.
Surgery can vary from simple repair of a hole in the eardrum up to reconstruction of the tiny bones in the middle ear space (termed ossicular chain reconstruction or ossiculoplasty) in the case of a conductive hearing loss. Sometimes patients have a fixation of the last middle ear bone (stapes) and benefit from replacement with a prosthetic – stapedectomy.
Surgery for Profound Nerve Hearing Loss
Cochlear Implant
For patients with sensorineural hearing loss that is severe enough that they are unable to benefit from hearing aids, they may be a candidate for a Cochlear Implant. This is a surgically implanted device that provides electrical stimulation to the inner ear structures (nerve endings in the cochlea) to regain a sense of hearing.
Treatment for Single Sided Deafness or Failed Ossiculoplasty
BAHA
There are even options for a surgically implanted hearing aid that uses bone conduction to stimulate the inner ear hearing apparatus (cochlea), which is called a bone-anchored hearing aid (BAHA).
Your hearing is an important part of your overall health. Contact HEAR Surgical Associates for an appointment if you notice any difficulty in hearing.
Meet Our Ear Surgeon – Otologist in Houston
Dr. Said S. Sana DO
Dr. Sana is passionate about providing the North Houston community with quality care. A fellowship-trained otologist, he has extensive training and experience in hearing loss surgery and the treatment of chronic ear disease. His advanced subspecialty training allows him to perform advanced procedures that are not typically offered at general ENT practices.
“It is truly a privilege to be able to care for people as they progress through their lives.”
Testimonials
“I had two surgeries with Dr Sana after which I had restored hearing after suffering with extreme hearing loss for most of my adult life. He was very professional, informative, and has a great bedside manner. These surgeries changed my life and I would definitely recommend him.”
Shana B.
“Love love love Dr. Sana & his staff. Friendly, efficient, knowledgeable with a good “bedside” manner. He’s done so well with my son, who’s 9yrs old and has hearing loss. We feel so blessed to have him as our primary Doc for his ears.”
Valerie S.
“Dr Said Sana is a wonderful, caring and patient doctor! He did two ear surgeries for me over a 4-month period….If I ever have any more problems with my ears I will go to Dr Sana again!! It was worth the two hour drive to get this done!! There were no Dr’s that could do this surgery in my area!! It took a specialist, which Dr Sana is, to get it done….”
Hana J.
Our Network
Connected Across Texas
HEAR Surgical Associates is a proud member of the Memorial Hermann Physician Network. This partnership connects our clinic to more than 3,500 healthcare providers throughout the region.
Why Choose HEAR Surgical Associates
We provide quality ENT care to families throughout North Houston communities. Our team delivers diagnostic and treatment services while prioritizing our patients’ comfort and convenience.
Here are some reasons why patients in Spring and the surrounding areas turn to us for hearing surgery and other hearing loss treatments.
- Tailored Treatment: We customize our approach to care according to the patient’s needs and health goals. Our fellowship-trained surgeon provides both noninvasive treatments and advanced surgery when needed.
- Remote and Same-Day Options: We offer same-day appointments for urgent hearing concerns and video consultations for families who prefer to start their care from home.
- ENT Services for the Whole Family: We see patients of all ages at HEAR Surgical Associates. Our services include diagnostic hearing tests, surgical consultations, and long-term follow-up care.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I need hearing loss surgery?
Surgery is usually recommended when hearing loss is caused by a physical issue, such as a hole in the eardrum, fluid buildup, or damaged ear bones. Dr. Sana will perform a hearing test and a physical exam to determine if a procedure is the best option for you.
How long does recovery from ear tube surgery in Houston take?
Most patients recover very quickly from ear tube surgery, which is a brief outpatient procedure. You can typically return to your normal school or work routine the following day with minimal discomfort.
Can you still get an ear infection with tubes?
Yes, it is possible to develop an ear infection with tubes, though they are usually easier to treat. Instead of fluid being trapped behind the eardrum and causing intense pain, the tube allows the infection to drain out. You may notice drainage from the ear canal, but your doctor can typically treat this with antibiotic ear drops rather than oral medications.
Are there non-surgical options for hearing loss?
Yes, some types of hearing loss respond well to medication or professional cleaning if the cause is an infection or a blockage. If the loss is permanent and not caused by a structural issue, we may discuss options like hearing aids.
What is the difference between a general ENT and an otologist?
While all ENT doctors treat ear issues, an otologist like Dr. Sana has completed an additional fellowship specifically in ear and skull base surgery. This allows ontologists to handle more complex hearing restoration cases and chronic ear diseases.
Find Relief for Your Ear and Hearing Symptoms
You do not have to live with the frustration of muffled sound or the discomfort of a clogged ear. The team at HEAR Surgical Associates provides the medical and surgical care needed to address complex hearing conditions and improve your daily quality of life.
Call (346) 371-4327 or message us online to explore our services.