Whether you need ongoing support for chronic hearing loss, assistance with tinnitus, or treatment for an acute ear infection, we are here to provide personalised and effective hearing care solutions.
The auditory system is extraordinary and allows us to connect with those around us. But how do our ears even work? Sound travels as a wave through the air before it is directed into our ear and vibrates our eardrum (tympanic membrane). As our eardrum moves backwards and forwards, this energy is directed through the bones of the middle ear into the cochlea. Within the snail shell shaped cochlea are tiny hair cell receptors which get stimulated and send signals up to the brain to be interpreted as sound.
A hearing loss can occur when a problem develops in one or more areas along the auditory pathways and can be either classed as a temporary or permanent loss. For further investigation into your hearing levels, feel free to contact the clinic to arrange a full diagnostic hearing assessment with one of our audiologists.
Wax (or cerumen) is naturally secreted from glans in the ear canal and are critical in protecting the inner portions of the ear from bacteria, dirt and fungus. Not only does it stop foreign objects from moving further down the ear canal, but it also moisturises and protects the skin in the ear.
Our ears are naturally “self cleaning” and the amount produced varies from person to person. Cotton tips and ear candles are NEVER recommended as they can lead to further damage and problems within the ear.
Should you experience symptoms of excessive wax build-up, further investigation may be warranted by an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist.
Ear wax removal can be performed by our Audiologists.
The sensation of a blocked ear is a very common reason patients present to an ear, nose and throat specialist. Just about everybody experiences this at some point in their lifetime. When the feeling persists it can become distracting, painful or interfere with hearing.
The list of causes of a blocked ear is very extensive. One way to categorise these is to divide them into problems in the ear canal, the ear drum, the middle ear and Eustachian tube and the inner ear. All the problems described below can cause a feeling of a blocked ear.
Ear canal
The ear canal can become blocked with things like wax, dry skin, infected material (bacterial or fungal), a foreign body (eg a broken off cotton bud or an insect) or occasionally by a cyst, polyp or tumour. Surfers and swimmers can develop growths of bone called “exostoses” which gradually close over the ear canal with prolonged cold water and wind exposure.
Ear drum
The ear drum itself can become swollen from an infection on either side of it (in the middle ear or ear canal), a condition called myringitis. Pressure changes (flying, scuba diving), trauma or infections can all cause a hole (perforation) in the ear drum. More typically the ear drum is affected secondarily by problems in the middle ear.
Middle ear and Eustachian tube
The middle ear is an air filled space behind the tympanic membrane. It connects with the back of the nose via a tube called the Eustachian tube (auditory tube). It is common for viruses and bacteria which one contracts from the air via breathing to spread via the Eustachian tube up into the ear. This is called a middle ear infection and is very common in children although adults can also be affected.
The middle ear can occasionally be occupied by chronic infections, tumours or a condition called a cholesteatoma (trapped skin cells).
The Eustachian tube can cause a feeling of blocked ear either when it is blocked or too open (patulous). The Eustachian tube is lined by the same lining as the inside of the nose. This makes is susceptible to any process causing a blocked nose. These causes include hay fever (allergic rhinitis), infections, irritants and chemical (non-allergic rhinitis) and sinus infections.
A Eustachian tube which is permanently too open (patulous) can also cause a feeling of blockage in the ear. Causes of a patulous Eustachian tube include weight loss, pregnancy, medications (eg diuretics), fatigue, stress, temporomandibular joint problems and exercise.
Inner ear
The inner ear can cause a blocked ear when it becomes swollen or injured. The causes for this include infections, vascular problems, a disease called Meniere’s disease and occasionally tumours. A syndrome called “sudden sensorineural hearing loss” refers to the sudden loss of hearing and function in the inner ear. Urgent treatment for this is required.
Investigation
The first step in the investigation of a blocked ear is a careful assessment by an ear, nose and throat specialist. A hearing test (audiogram) and possible further investigations such as an MRI or CT scan may be arranged.
Treatment
Once the cause for the blocked ear has been identified, treatment can be commenced. Treatment options include a range of medications, possible injections and sometimes surgery or radiation treatment. Often no active treatment is required apart from patience to allow the condition to resolve spontaneously by the body’s natural healing mechanisms. A persistent feeling of a blocked ear should always be assessed so that sinister causes can be ruled out and appropriate treatment commenced if needed.
The ear canal can become blocked with things like wax, dry skin, infected material (bacterial or fungal), a foreign body (eg a broken off cotton bud or an insect) or occasionally by a cyst, polyp or tumour. Surfers and swimmers can develop growths of bone called “exostoses” which gradually close over the ear canal with prolonged cold water and wind exposure.
Misophonia is a sound sensitivity where certain noises trigger strong emotional reactions, such as anger or anxiety.
Common triggers include sounds like chewing, breathing, or tapping. Unlike hyperacusis, which is a general sensitivity to all sounds, misophonia typically involves particular, often repetitive sounds that provoke a strong, negative response.
Misophonia can significantly impact daily life, and treatment options, such as sound therapy and counselling, can help individuals manage their reactions.
Tinnitus is the perception of sound without any external noise. People often describe it as ringing in the ears, but it can also sound like buzzing, pulsing, whistling, or roaring.
Tinnitus is common, with about 20% of Australians experiencing it to varying degrees. For most people it is non-bothersome, however for some it can be a source of distress and interfere with daily activities such as sleep. In some cases, it can be linked to an underlying health issue, so it’s important to consult a clinician for proper evaluation.
Most of the time, the cause of tinnitus cannot be pinpointed, but it is believed to be related to a malfunction in the auditory system. The auditory system includes not only the ears but also parts of the brain involved in memory and emotion.
While there’s no one-size-fits-all cure for tinnitus, there are various strategies to manage tinnitus in order to reduce tinnitus awareness and related distress. These include use of hearing aids to address underlying hearing loss, as well as therapies like Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT), Sound Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
Hyperacusis is a condition where normal everyday sounds become painfully loud or intolerable for the listener.
Moderate to loud level sounds (e.g. elevated voices, emergency sirens) can be distressing for someone with hyperacusis. It is often found co-occurring with hearing loss and tinnitus.
Feel free to contact the clinic to arrange a full diagnostic hearing assessment with one of our audiologists.
Level 2, Suite 4205, 834 Pittwater Road
Dee Why Grand Commercial Tower NSW 2099
Office opening hours are between 8:30am to 4:30pm
Please call to make an appointment.
Office opening hours are between 8:30am to 4:30pm
Please call to make an appointment.