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Providing the best Ear Nose Throat care across Surrey Sussex & Kent
Hearing
HEARING LOSS IN CHILDREN
Symptoms
Working out if children have hearing loss can be difficult. Often, it is picked up by parents or when the child goes to school. Some of the symptoms include:
- Speech delay
- Difficulty pronouncing words
- Falling behind at school
- TV/Tablet devices turned up to a high volume
- Not following or misunderstanding instructions when asked (though as parents we know there are many causes for this, not just hearing loss!)
- Painful ear/pulling at ear
- Discharge from the ear canal
Since there is often speech delay, we recommend early assessment and treatment so that your child doesn't suffer any long-term consequences.
Diagnosis
An assessment of the ear, ear drum and hearing will be carried out in conjunction with our expert audiology team to determine the cause of your child's hearing loss.
Possible causes include:
- Glue ear (Otitis Media) - the accumulation of thick sterile fluid in the middle ear
- Otitis Externa (also known as ‘swimmer’s ear’) - an inflammation of the ear canal
- Ear wax
- Object in the ear
- Perforated ear drum
- Medications
- Measles
- Meningitis
- Congenital causes (from birth)
Treatment
Treatment for hearing loss in children depends on the diagnosis. Regardless of the cause, a number of good medical studies have shown the benefit of early treatment, which can really help children to achieve their full potential.
If, as is most common, the hearing loss is caused by Glue Ear (Otitis Media), then the treatment can include:
- Grommets: these are small temporary plastic ventilation tubes that sit in the eardrum
- Hearing aids
- Regular assessment of the level of hearing loss
- Otovent balloon
If the cause is not Glue Ear, then we will recommend the best course of action to treat your child's hearing loss as quickly and effectively as possible.
Learn More
An assessment of your childs hearing will be done by in conjunction with our expert audiology team to determine the cause of your child's hearing loss.
Nose
Nasal Congestion
Symptoms:
A blocked nose is a common problem that can really effect a patients quality of life. Symptoms that can be associated with a blocked nose include; Facial pain, Dry mouth, Nose bleeds, Runny nose, inability to smell and taste and snoring.
Diagnosis:
Broadly, a blocked nose is either because the cartilage of the nose doesn't allow a good airflow through the nose or the lining of the nose is swollen. During the consultation we will use a nasendoscope to examine the inside of the nose, identifying features such as a deviated nasal septum, alar collapse, nasal polyps, inflamed nasal mucosa and examining the post nasal space. If there is suspicion of allergy we can organise comprehensive allergy testing.
Treatment:
A small reduction in the width of the nasal air passages has a huge impact on the nasal airflow. We will tailor your treatment according to our findings, medical treatments are often effective. However, surgery in the correct patient can deliver a tremendous improvement in a patient's quality of life. Operations that we offer include Septoplasty, Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery, Reduction of inferior turbinates and Adeniodectomy.
