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Advanced Specialty Associates
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Ears

Otolaryngology & Facial Plastic Surgery located in Baxter and The Village, St. Paul, MN

Ears

Ears services offered in Baxter and Mendota Heights, MN

Your ears are complex body parts that play a significant role in helping you hear and maintain balance. When you have a problem with your ears, you need to see the otolaryngology team at Advanced Specialty Associates in Mendota Heights and Baxter, Minnesota. The highly-skilled otolaryngologists can manage any health issue affecting your ears. Call the office or schedule an appointment online today.

Ears Q&A


What are the parts of the ears?

Your ears are divided into three parts: the outer ear, middle ear, and inner ear.

Outer ear

The outer ear, also called the external ear, includes the outside part of the ear you can see and the external auditory canal.

Middle ear

The middle ear contains tiny bones that vibrate on your eardrum, amplifying sound. The eustachian tubes are also located in the middle ear.

Inner ear

The inner ear contains the nerves that send sound to the brain for interpretation. Your inner ear also contains the vestibule, which has receptors that help you maintain balance. 

What are common conditions that affect the ears?

The ears are prone to many health issues. Some of the common conditions that affect or involve the ears include:

 

  • Ear infections
  • Ear pain
  • Hearing loss
  • Balance disorders
  • Tinnitus
  • Acoustic neuroma

 

Vertigo is a symptom you may experience when you have a problem involving your inner ear. With vertigo, you feel that the room around you is moving when you’re standing, sitting, or lying still.

When do I need to see an otolaryngologist for my ears?

Otolaryngology is an area of medicine specializing in diagnosing and treating conditions affecting the ears, nose, and throat (ENT). 

 

If you have chronic ear infections, ongoing ear pain, hearing loss, or poor balance, you need to see the general ENT physicians at Advanced Specialty Associates. The highly skilled and trained team includes two double board-certified ENT physicians.

 

They take a patient-centered approach to care, listening intently to your concerns so they can properly address your needs. 

What are some of the treatments for ear problems?

The highly skilled team at Advanced Specialty Associates can treat any type of ear problem. Some of the treatments available include:

Audiogram

An audiogram is a diagnostic test the ENT physicians at Advanced Specialty Associates use to assess hearing and evaluate the function of your middle and inner ear. 

Ear tube placement

For children with chronic ear infections, the team performs in-office ear tube placements.

Treatment for tinnitus

The otolaryngologists also help patients struggling with tinnitus, or ringing in the ear, by identifying the cause and providing the appropriate treatment.

Treatment for balance disorders

Otolaryngology also diagnoses and treats balance disorders like Meniere's disease and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). 

 

For expert ear care from a compassionate team, call Advanced Specialty Associates or schedule an appointment online today.