Have you ever stopped going to a favorite restaurant or social gathering because you can't hear? It could be something as simple as ear wax or you could have a hearing loss. Why would you want to miss out on the subtle sounds that life has to offer?

Don't like the thought of using a hearing aid? You wouldn't believe how discreet, comfortable, efficient and affordable today's instruments can be. Our office staff will be more than happy to schedule an appointment with our Audiologists to discuss your options with you.

Your ear has three main parts: outer, middle and inner. You use all of them when hearing. Sound waves come in through your outer ear. They reach your middle ear, where they make your eardrum vibrate. The vibrations are transmitted through three tiny bones in your middle ear called ossicles. The vibrations travel to your inner ear, a snail-shaped organ. The inner ear makes the nerve impulses that are sent to the brain where your brain recognizes them as sounds. The inner ear also serves to control your balance.

A variety of conditions may affect your hearing or balance. Ear infections are the most common illness in infants and young children. Tinnitus, a roaring in your ears, can be the result of loud noises, medicines, or a variety of other causes. Meniere's disease may be the result of fluid problems in your inner ear and its symptoms include tinnitus and dizziness. Some ear disorders can result in hearing disorders and deafness.

Ear Infections

When an ear infection affects the middle ear and is called otitis media. The tubes inside the ears become clogged with fluid and mucus. This can affect the hearing because sound cannot get through all that excess fluid.

Otitis Externa or Swimmers Ear is caused by water in the ear and can be very painful. It is treated with ear drops.

Meniere's Disease

Meniere's disease can cause severe dizziness, a roaring sound in your ears (tinnitus), hearing loss that comes and goes and the feeling of ear pressure or pain. It usually affects just one ear. This disease is a common cause of hearing loss.

Scientists don't yet know the cause. They think that it has to do with the fluid levels or the mixing of fluids in the canals of your inner ear. Symptoms occur suddenly and can happen as often as every day or as seldom as once a year. An attack can be a combination of severe dizziness or vertigo, tinnitus and hearing loss lasting several hours. There is no cure. However, you may be able to control symptoms by changing your diet or taking medicine so that your body retains less fluid. Severe cases may require surgery.

Dizziness and Vertigo

When you're dizzy, you may feel lightheaded or lose your balance. If you feel that the room is spinning, you may have vertigo.

A sudden drop in blood pressure or being dehydrated can make you dizzy. Many people feel lightheaded if they get up too quickly from sitting or lying down. Dizziness usually gets better by itself or is easily treated. However, it can be a symptom of other disorders. Medicines may cause dizziness or problems with your ear. Motion sickness can also make you dizzy. There are many other causes as well.

Ear Lobe Repair

One of the most common aesthetic deformities to the ear lobe can be caused by heavy earrings, Gauges, an earlobe that is pierced in an improper position or from trauma to the lobe. There is an effective procedure that can fix these deformities that can be done in the office with local anesthesia.

Dr. Grillo will fully evaluate patients with vertigo and balance disorders. The vestibular system consists of the inner ears and the brain stem along with inputs from the eyes and ankles. This system helps us maintain our center of gravity. Dysfunction of the vestibular system causes symptoms of vertigo, dizziness, lightheadedness, as well as balance problems.

All patients with vestibular complaints undergo a full examination by Dr. Grillo. Appropriate audiological testing is performed. When indicated, vestibular testing called video electronystagmography or VNG is performed. These tests help indicate the location and severity of vestibular dysfunction. This helps guide therapy, which frequently includes vestibular rehabilitation.