Otology is the study and practice of medical and surgical disorders of the ear. These include disorders related to hearing and balance. Some common problems treated by Neurotologists include infections of the ear canal and middle ear (including cholesteatoma and chronic otitis media), eardrum perforations, hearing loss (including conductive, mixed, and sensorineural types), vertigo, and…
Read MoreWhat is sudden sensorineural hearing loss? Sudden sensorineural hearing loss is a term used to describe hearing loss that develops over a very short period of time. Sensorineural hearing loss generally implies damage to the structures of the inner ear or hearing nerve. While there are many possible causes of sudden sensorineural hearing loss, in…
Read MoreWhat is otosclerosis? Otosclerosis is a bone disorder that affects the ear. It is the most common cause of conductive hearing loss in adults. How does otosclerosis cause hearing loss? Otosclerosis causes stiffening of the stirrup bone (stapes) so that it does not move properly. In some circumstances, otosclerosis may cause damage to the inner…
Read MoreWhat is superior semicircular canal dehiscence syndrome? Superior semicircular canal dehiscence syndrome (or SSCDS) is a condition where the normal bony covering of the superior semicircular canal (one of the three balance canals that respond to angular acceleration) is missing. This essentially results in direct contact between the covering of the brain and the lining…
Read MoreThe human ear is located within the temporal bone, a large and complex bone that makes up the side of the skull. As a result, Neurotologists are trained to treat a variety of disorders that affect structures located in and around the ear and temporal bone. Disorders of hearing, balance, and facial nerve function as…
Read MoreYes. Neurologists are medical physicians (not surgeons) that treat problems of the nervous system. (These include problems of the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nervous system).
Read MoreYes. Neurosurgeons surgically treat disorders of the brain and spinal cord. Neurotologists and neurosurgeons often work together to treat complex tumors and other disorders that affect both the brain and the skull base.
Read MoreYes. Neurotologists are also sometimes referred to as Otologists (otology is the study of the ear) or as Skull Base Surgeons (because the ear happens to be situated at the base or floor of the human skull).
Read MoreA sub-specialist that deals solely with disorders of the ear. Neurotologists must complete five years of Ear, Nose and Throat surgical training followed by additional fellowship surgical training in Neurotology.
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