Our goal is to present the best surgical options for your diagnosis

Many disorders of the ear and temporal bone may be treated medically. However, surgical treatment is also available. Below we describe surgical procedures that we commonly perform:

Surgery for middle ear infections: Chronic infections of the middle ear can pose a threat to a patient’s health. Eardrum perforation (i.e., a hole), ear bone erosion resulting in hearing loss, abnormal build-up of skin within the ear, and chronic drainage from the ear are just a few of the consequences of chronic ear infections. Surgery can be performed to correct these problems and consists of a number of different types of operations.

Surgery for hearing loss due to otosclerosis: Otosclerosis is a common cause of hearing loss that results from stiffening of the third ear bone (the stapes). Surgery can be performed in an attempt to improve hearing in these cases through the use of prosthetic ear bone that bypasses the stiffened area.

Surgery for hearing loss due to other hearing bone problems: The three bones of hearing (malleus, incus, and stapes) can be disrupted by a variety of problems. Surgery to restore hearing in these cases often involves the reconnection of the ear bones to the eardrum.

Surgery for acoustic neuroma (vestibular schwannoma): Acoustic neuromas are benign tumors that arise from the balance nerve. However, because of their location near the ear and brain, they can pose significant problems for patients. Surgical removal of these growths may be accomplished through one of three approaches. Depending upon the size and location of the tumor, a patient’s hearing level, as well as other factors, acoustic neuromas may be removed by a translabyrinthine, middle cranial fossa, or retrosigmoid approach.

Cochlear implant surgery: In patients with severe to profound hearing loss in both ears, a special device called a cochlear implant may be helpful in restoring hearing.

Surgery for ear fluid: In both children and adults, recurrent fluid may build up or persist, leading to hearing loss and increasing the chance for more permanent problems. In these cases, placement of a special drainage tube within the eardrum may be beneficial.

Bone anchored hearing aid surgery (BAHA): In people with certain types of hearing loss, a special hearing implant can be used to help recover hearing. This implant is placed behind the ear into the skull bone and a special hearing aid is attached.

Surgery for vertigo or dizziness: Although medical treatment is often helpful for vertigo and dizziness, surgery is occasionally required. Depending upon the cause and the patient’s hearing levels, a variety of procedures are available to help control vertigo and dizziness.

Surgery of the skull base: A variety of problems can affect the ear and temporal bone (sometimes referred to as the skull base), including a number of different tumors, traumatic injuries, infections, and other disorders. We offer various surgical approaches to help treat these problems.

Radiotherapy/radiosurgery: In some situations, disorders of the ear and temporal bone may be treated with highly focused radiation. This is mostly used for vascular tumors of the ear (called glomus tumors) and other selected tumors of the skull base, including acoustic neuromas (vestibular schwannomas) that have demonstrated growth over a period of time. Radiation is typically given at one time, though it may also be given in smaller amounts over a period of 3 to 5 days.