General ENT

Disorders involving the ear, nose and throat may range from ear infections, chronic tonsillitis, sore throat, and voice changes, to salivary gland disorders, snoring, nasal obstruction, tumors and masses of the head and neck. We treat all ages, from newborns on up.

 

Conditions Treated

ACID REFLUX DISEASE

ALLERGIES

DEVIATED NASAL SEPTUM

DIZZINESS

EARACHES & INFECTIONS

NASAL CONGESTION

NASAL FRACTURE

FOREIGN BODIES

SINUSITIS

SKIN LESIONS

SNORING AND OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA (OSA)

SORE THROAT & TONSILLITIS

TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT (TMJ) CONDITIONS

TINNITUS (NOISE IN THE EARS)

THYROID DISORDERS

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VOCAL CORD DISORDERS

The vocal cords are two bands of smooth muscle tissue located in the larynx, which is located at the top of the windpipe. Sound is created as air passes the vocal cords from the lungs, causing vibration of the vocal cords at varying frequencies. Each person’s unique voice is determined by the size and shape of the vocal cords, throat, nose, and mouth.

Common vocal cord disorders include:

  • Laryngitis: raspy or hoarse voice due to vocal cord inflammation.

  • Vocal Cord Nodules: noncancerous callous growths on the vocal cords resulting from vocal abuse from excessive singing, talking, yelling, smoking, or coughing.  Treatment typically involves voice rest, modifying or eliminating behaviors resulting in vocal cord abuse, referral to a speech-language pathologist, medication, and surgery to remove the nodules after failed conservative therapy.

  • Vocal Cord Polyps: noncancerous soft growths on the vocal cords, resulting in hoarse and raspy voice

  • Vocal Cord Paralysis: vocal cords fail to function properly typically from nerve injury, and can result in symptoms of a breathy voice, shortness of breath, or coughing. In severe cases, aspiration and pneumonia may occur.

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PEDIATRIC EAR, NOSE, & THROAT SERVICES

Allergies, earaches, and throat pain can strike at any age. At Clear Lake Medical Center ENT, we have the expertise to provide lasting relief no matter the age of our patients. While children experience many of the same health issues as adults, the way symptoms appear and how to address them can be quite different. Our board-certified physicians understand these differences and will ensure your child finds lasting relief from earaches and allergies. We also offer comprehensive hearing diagnostics and other ENT services to meet all of your needs.

Pediatric ENT Issues We Treat:

  • Airway and Breathing Disorders

  • Pediatric Nose and Sinus Problems

  • Allergies

  • Tongue Tie (Ankyloglossia)

  • Speech and Language Disorders 

  • Hearing Loss

  • Pediatric Head & Neck Tumors

  • Ear infections including swimmer’s ear, otitis media, middle ear fluid (serous otitis) and chronic otitis media

  • Throat problems such as recurring sore throats, tonsil and adenoid problems, bacterial tonsillitis, pharyngitis, peritonsillar abscess and sleep apnea

  • Foreign bodies of the ear, nose or throat

  • And much more!

Recent studies show that five out of six children experience ear infections by the time they’re three years old, and that 15% of school-age children have some degree of hearing loss. While a fair number of children are born with hearing loss, even more suffer due to ongoing ear infections that are easily treatable. Whether due to illness, infection, injury, or genetic issues, we can help diagnose your child’s hearing and offer effective solutions to ensure they have the best possible chance to recover partial or full hearing. We offer a wide range of medical treatments that include ear tubes, medications, hearing aids, and more.

PEDIATRIC HEARING LOSS

The most common cause of obstructive sleep apnea in the pediatric population is enlarged tonsils and adenoids.  Their purpose in early life is to sequester infections entering through the mouth and prevent travel further down into the lungs.  However, tonsils sometimes become overwhelmed by infection or enlarge to the point of obstructing breathing.  In these instances, the tonsils become more problematic than beneficial and may be removed with tonsillectomy. 

Adenoids are located at the very back of the nose in a region called the nasopharynx.  Similar to tonsils, they can become chronically infected and enlarged, leading to snoring, nasal congestion, chronic drainage, and even sleep apnea.  Since the adenoids sit near the entrance to the middle ear, chronic adenoid infections can also be associated with recurrent ear infections.

The surgical removal of tonsils and adenoids is done through the mouth, with no external incisions.  Tonsils and adenoids can be removed separately or simultaneously, depending on the needs of the patient.

TONSILLECTOMY AND ADENOIDECTOMY