When you have pain, swelling, or ringing in your ears, the audiology experts at University of Miami Health System will help return you to sound health.

Approximately 20 percent of American adults — roughly 48 million people — report some trouble hearing, according to the Hearing Loss Association of America. We provide compassionate care for a variety of situations that cause hearing loss, including:

• Auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder: problems with the transmission of sound from the ear to the brain
• Cholesteatoma: unusual skin growth in the middle ear behind the eardrum
• Conductive hearing loss: problems with the ear conducting sound waves
• Meniere’s disease: inner ear disorder that causes a spinning sensation
• Otosclerosis: hereditary condition in which the ear cannot amplify sound
• Sensorineural hearing loss: damage to the inner ear
• Tinnitus: ringing in the ears

Hearing loss can happen quickly or gradually, whether it is mild or severe. We also treat hearing loss caused by other situations, including:

• A perforated (hole or tear) eardrum
• Aging
• Chronic ear infections
• Injury to the head or ear
• Medications, including chemotherapy drugs or excessive amounts of aspirin
• Noise exposure
• Viral or bacterial infections

Tests

Physical Exam
Your ENT doctor will perform a complete examination of your ears to check for other causes of hearing loss, such as earwax buildup, inflammation due to an infection, or a structural problem of the ear.

Hearing Test
Your ENT specialist will likely recommend a hearing test (audiometry), in which a variety of tones and sounds are played into each of your ears, one at a time, to check for hearing loss.

Treatments

Earwax Removal
A first step in treating some types of hearing loss may be to remove earwax buildup, which can lead to improved hearing for some people.

Hearing Aids
Your ENT specialist may recommend you be fitted for hearing aids to help you hear better.

Surgery
In severe cases of hearing loss, surgery may be used to correct the underlying problem and help you regain a wider range of hearing.

Cochlear Implant
If you have substantial hearing loss, your ENT doctor may recommend a cochlear implant, a surgically implanted device that can improve your hearing.

Why Choose UHealth?

Ranked in the nation’s top tier by U.S. News & World Report.
The ranking reflects the team’s dedication to excellence in research patient care and outcomes. Surgeons, audiologists, biomedical engineers, speech pathologists, researchers, and psychologists collaborate with many research programs at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine to deliver the best possible multidisciplinary care to pediatric and adult ear, nose, and throat patients.

World-class care in an academic health system. We are recognized throughout South Florida and the world as a leader in treating conditions and disorders of the ear, nose, and throat. Backed by one of the nation’s top universities, our team uses the latest technologies and research-driven expertise to provide you with superior, personalized care and the best outcomes.