Overview:

Aural atresia and microtia are congenital conditions that affect the outer and middle ear. Aural atresia occurs when the ear canal is underdeveloped or absent, while microtia refers to a malformed or missing external ear (pinna). These conditions can affect one or both ears and may result in conductive hearing loss. Though they typically present at birth, they can impact hearing and communication throughout life.

Overview:

Dizziness and balance disorders can affect people of all ages, making everyday activities difficult and increasing the risk of falls and injury. These conditions occur when the inner ear, brain, or nervous system isn't functioning properly, affecting a person’s ability to stay steady and oriented. Whether in children, adults, or seniors, balance issues can result from inner ear problems, neurological conditions, medications, or other health concerns.

Overview:

Hearing loss can affect people of all ages and can range from mild to profound. It can occur in one ear (unilateral) or both ears (bilateral) and may develop at birth (congenital) or later in life. There are several types of hearing loss, including:

• Conductive Hearing Loss: Caused by problems in the outer or middle ear, such as fluid buildup, ear infections, or structural abnormalities.
• Sensorineural Hearing Loss: Results from damage to the inner ear or auditory nerve, often permanent and typically caused by aging, noise exposure, or certain medical conditions.
• Severe to Profound Sensorineural Hearing Loss: A significant degree of hearing loss that affects the ability to hear most sounds, even with amplification.
• Minimal to Mild Hearing Loss: Difficulty hearing soft sounds or understanding speech in noisy environments.
• Noise-Induced Hearing Loss: Caused by exposure to loud sounds over time or sudden loud noises, damaging the inner ear hair cells.
• Post-Lingual Hearing Loss: Hearing loss that occurs after speech and language development, often related to aging or medical conditions.
• Sudden Hearing Loss: A rapid, unexplained loss of hearing, often treated as a medical emergency.
• Auditory Processing Disorders: Conditions where the brain struggles to interpret auditory information despite normal hearing thresholds

Early detection and intervention are crucial, as hearing is essential for cognition, speech, language, communication, and overall quality of life. At UTMB, our audiologists provide comprehensive evaluations and personalized treatment plans to help patients manage their hearing loss effectively.

Overview:

Middle ear pathology refers to a range of conditions affecting the middle ear space and structures, including the eardrum and ossicles (tiny bones). These conditions can result from infections, fluid buildup, injury, or congenital abnormalities and may cause conductive hearing loss. Middle ear pathology can affect individuals of all ages.

Overview:

Tympanic membrane perforation occurs when the eardrum has a tear or hole, often resulting from injury, infection, sudden pressure changes, or loud noises. This condition can affect people of all ages and may lead to hearing loss or increased risk of ear infections.