Ear Conditions
Maury Regional Medical Group Ear, Nose & Throat treats a variety of ear conditions for pediatric and adult patients.
diagnostic services
Ashley Perez, AuD, is the clinical audiologist with MRMG Ear, Nose & Throat. Dr. Perez treats patients of all ages in the practice. Services provided include, but are not limited to:
- Comprehensive hearing exam including air and bone conduction testing, speech recognition and word recognition testing
- Comprehensive ear examination and assessment of middle ear health with otoscopy and tympanometry
- Speech-in-noise testing
In addition to the services Dr. Perez provides, her clinical interests include dizziness, tinnitus and the understanding of otologic disease.
A physician’s referral is required to make an appointment at MRMG Ear, Nose & Throat. In addition to concerns about hearing loss, Dr. Perez encourages anyone with the following symptoms to notify their primary care physician:
- Ear pain
- Ear fullness or pressure
- Sudden loss of hearing
- Balance issues
- Tinnitus
EAR INFECTIONS
Ear infections are fairly common, particularly in children. The cause of infection is the result of bacteria or a virus in the middle ear and may result from other illnesses or conditions, including allergies, cold or flu. Symptoms of an ear infection include:
- Pain inside the ear, particularly when lying down
- A sense of fullness or fluid in the ear
- Muffled hearing
- Fever
- In children, you may also see irritability, crying, pulling or rubbing the ear and difficulty sleeping
Treatment may vary based on whether the infection is bacterial or viral.
Another common type of infection is swimmer's ear, which can occur if water is trapped in the ear canal for an extended period of time. Swimmer's ear is most common in children, but it can impact individuals of all ages. Symptoms of swimmer’s ear can be extremely painful and include itchiness inside the ear, redness or swelling, pus drainage or pain when the infected ear is tugged or receives any pressure. Antibiotic ear drops are most often used to treat swimmer's ear.
hearing loss
In adults, hearing loss may be the result of age, chronic ear infection or damage to the inner ear caused by exposure to loud noises, such as heavy equipment. Hearing loss can lead to an increased risk of falls and dementia, so it’s important to see a physician or audiologist for a comprehensive evaluation.