Ear & Hearing
Ear and hearing disorders, including hearing loss, can occur at any age and dramatically impact the very quality of your life.
If you have any concerns at all about your or your child’s ears or hearing, make an appointment today to see the experienced, compassionate ear and hearing care providers at Georgetown ENT. We offer a full complement of adult and pediatric ear, nose, and throat healthcare services – including comprehensive audiology and balance testing – all in a comfortable, family-friendly setting.
In fact, hearing exams are a critical diagnostic tool often used by our board-certified ENT surgeon, Dr. Scott W. Franklin, in the diagnosis and treatment of many ailments, including tinnitus and dizziness. Following your evaluation, Dr. Franklin will discuss his findings and your treatment options with you in detail.
Ear and Hearing Services
Find out more about our ear and hearing services:
We also see and treat a broad range of ear conditions, including:
Your body normally produces earwax (cerumen) at the outer ear canal. Its purpose is to lubricate and protect your ear against microorganisms, debris, and water. When your ear becomes plugged up with too much earwax, it can cause pain, pressure, infection, and hearing problems.
Ironically, most cases of impacted earwax are the result of at-home attempts to remove earwax. Often, this results in pushing the wax deeper into the ear canal, toward the eardrum, creating a blockage. Frequent ear bud use can also prevent normal drainage of earwax, leading to a buildup.
If you are experiencing excess earwax or clogged ears due to a buildup of earwax, see your ENT physician for proper diagnosis and treatment with specialized instruments designed for just this purpose.
And be careful when using cotton swabs at home. These products are meant to be used on the outer ear only – nothing smaller than your elbow should ever go into your ear! The risk of injury, infection, and eardrum perforation is too great.
There are many things that can perforate, or rupture, the delicate eardrum membrane of your middle ear. The buildup of pressure due to severe or chronic middle ear infections is a common cause of eardrum perforation. Direct trauma to the ear, a foreign object, and loud sounds can also cause the eardrum to tear.
Most minor tears or ruptures will heal on their own. However, depending on the cause of the perforation, medical treatment may be necessary. It’s a good idea to be evaluated by a qualified ENT physician to be sure you’re getting the medical attention you need. After all, permanent hearing loss is a potential complication of a perforated eardrum, so having your ear and hearing properly evaluated is a good idea.
Cysts (fluid-filled sacs) and tumors (abnormal tissue growth) can both develop in the ear. Cysts are often the result of overproduction of oil in the skin or clogged oil glands in the ear. Tumors can develop anywhere in the body, including in the outer, middle, and inner ear. In many cases, tumors that develop in the ear canal are the result of excess bone growth and are benign.
If you believe you have a cyst or tumor in your ear, it’s important to seek treatment from a doctor and not try to remove the growth yourself.
Treatment for Ear Pain and Hearing Loss in Georgetown, Texas
Are you experiencing ear pain, hearing loss, balance problems, or ringing in your ears? Turn to a highly qualified, experienced, and caring ENT surgeon like Dr. Scott Franklin at Georgetown ENT, who can properly assess and treat your condition.
Call our Georgetown, Texas, office today at (512) 869-0604 or request an appointment online. We also serve patients from the greater Austin area, including Round Rock, Leander, and Cedar Park.
