Ear Problems Specialist

Ear problems run the gamut from infections and ringing in your ear to permanent hearing loss. At Dr. Paul Lapco, ENT, in Pompano Beach, Florida, patients receive exceptional care for every type of ear problem they might develop. Paul Lapco, MD, provides Fort Lauderdale and the greater Broward County area residents personalized attention and comprehensive care, from a prompt diagnosis to today’s most advanced treatment options. If you need help for an ear problem, call the office or book an appointment online today.

What causes hearing loss?

Dr. Lapco performs hearing evaluations, provides treatment when possible, and helps you choose a hearing aid for permanent hearing loss.

The cause of your hearing loss depends on the type:

Conductive hearing loss

This type of hearing loss occurs when a condition in your outer or middle ear stops sound waves from reaching your inner ear. Conductive hearing loss is caused by problems such as:

• Impacted earwax
• Perforated eardrum
• Fluid in the middle ear
• Outer or middle ear infections
• Bone damage in the middle ear

Your hearing should return after Dr. Lapco identifies and treats the source of the problem.

Sensorineural hearing loss

Sensorineural hearing loss occurs when your auditory nerve or sensory cells in your inner ear are damaged. Sensory cells convert sound waves into electrical signals that travel through the auditory nerve to your brain.

The top causes of sensorineural hearing loss include:

• Aging
• Loud sounds
• Certain illnesses
• Certain medications
• Autoimmune disease
• Otosclerosis

When sensory cells or the auditory nerve become damaged, your hearing loss is permanent.

Mixed hearing loss

You have mixed hearing loss when you have conductive and sensorineural hearing problems.

What common ear problems do ENT specialists treat?

Dr. Lapco frequently treats common problems like earwax impaction, ear infections, and tinnitus:

Earwax impaction

Earwax is naturally produced in your ear, where it protects your eardrum and blocks out dirt and other small particles. Earwax can build up for many reasons, but it’s often due to hearing aids, earplugs, and using cotton swabs. 

When the wax accumulates, you may experience dizziness, mild hearing loss, ringing in your ears, and ear pain.

Ear infections

Though ear infections are more common in children, adults can also develop infections in their outer, middle, and inner ear. The most common symptoms include ear pain, mild hearing problems, fluid drainage, dizziness, and red, tender, or swollen skin.

Tinnitus (ringing in your ear)

Ringing in your ear includes a range of noises that come from inside your body, including rushing sounds, buzzing, whistling, and hissing. Tinnitus is often the symptom of an underlying ear problem, such as earwax buildup, a middle ear infection, age-related hearing loss, and auditory nerve problems.

If you need help for an ear problem, call Dr. Paul Lapco, ENT, or book an appointment online today.