Modern methods of using balloons has great results. These procedures are useful and now well accepted

Sinus Forum Asia now goes to Bali in October 2011

Log on www.sinusforumasia.com for registration

Wax is produced by cerumen glands at the outer 1/3 of the ear canal. The amount of wax production varies. Impacted wax can cause conductive deafness and uneasiness. Simple methods of instilling ear drops will assist the removal of wax but it can get aggrevated if cotton buds are use. A simple procedure in an ENT clinic like suction or previously ear syringing can assist the patient

Allergy has a significant impact on the ear nose and throat. One of the first symptom of allergy would be an ENT symptom. Very often nose allergy will also have bronchial asthma. It is important for allergy rhintis patients to be evaluated for asthma.

Sinus is an anatomical structure within our skull and air cavities which are filled with air. Often it gets infected and fills up with fluid. Such condition is known as sinusitis. The latest method of solving this problem is using balloon sinuplasty. The long term results are perfect with no recurrence.

Ear Nose Throat specialist is a doctor which deals with diseases and condition of the three important organs of the head. In view of the position of these organs; ENT surgeons are also known as Head Neck Surgeons. Most ENT conditions have relationship to the neck especially in cancer in which there is a high probable to spread into the lymph nodes within the neck.

ENT has subspeciality in rhinology [nose], otology[ear], larynx [throat] and paediatric ENT [children]. Besifdes that ENT has speciality in allergy, voice and sleep/snoring.

Having to hear sounds within the ears without real external source is termed as tinnitus. Very often this condition is disturbing and in some may cause depression. It is often associated with deafness. When it presents with vertigo and deafness is known as Meniere’s Disease but uncommon in Asians.

Patients with one sided tinnitus should be cautious as it could be a tumour within the nerves of the inner ear but confirmatory imaging with MRI may be essential.

News Desk
Turn That Noise Down!
By Wes Phillips

September 3, 2006 — Yes, we’ve reported on this before, but it bears repeating—especially if you didn’t hear us because you were playing your iPod too loud: Prolonged exposure to loud music can damage your hearing.
The reason for this particular cautionary lecture? A recent article in Malaysia’s New Straits Times, which quotes ENT specialist Dr. Kuljit Singh: “Constant use of earphones, especially from listening to iPods, can cause loss of hearing, especially among the young who use it for prolonged periods. . . . In five years, I will be seeing people who used maximum volumes just to listen to their music.”
Quoted in the same article, Dr. Siti Zamratol Mai-Sarah Mukar, head associate professor of University of Kebangsaan Malaysia’s Audiology and Speech Sciences department, cited many new developments that caused increased concern among hearing professionals, including that favorite punching bag of the audiophile community, digital technology: “Before, with analog technology, there would be distortions in the music when you turn up the volume.”
Dr. Singh gave some simple guidelines to knowing when you’ve been listening too loud for too long, including difficulty in following a conversation, hearing what is being said over TV, or being able to detect sound quality.
We want to keep all of our readers paying attention to that last one—you might even say we’re counting on it.

http://www.stereophile.com/news/090406noise/
News Desk
Turn That Noise Down!
By Wes Phillips

Absolute Contraindications
Inability to equalize pressure in the middle ear by auto-inflation. This may be due to a correctable problem such as polyps, nasal septal deviation or coryza in which case the diver can be reevaluated after correction of the problem.
Perforation of the tympanic membrane. Until fully healed or successfully repaired with good Eustachian tube function, diving is contraindicated.
Open, nonhealed perforation of the TM.
Monomeric TM
Tympanoplasty, other than myringoplasty (Type I)
History of stapedectomy. * Recent studies have shown that this is not necessarily true. See this article:
Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2001 Oct;125(4):356-60
Diving after stapedectomy: clinical experience and recommendations.
House JW, Toh EH, Perez A.
Clinical Studies Department, House Ear Clinic and Institute, 2100 West Third
Street, Los Angeles, CA 90057, USA.

CONCLUSIONS: Stapedectomy does not appear to increase the risk of inner ear
barotrauma in scuba and sky divers. These activities may be pursued with
relative safety after stapes surgery, provided adequate eustachian tube
function has been established.

History of inner ear surgery
Status post laryngectomy or partial laryngectomy
History of vestibular decompression sickness
Radical mastoidectomy (posterior) involving the external canal is disqualifying. (Closed childhood OK)
Meniere’s disease is disqualifying
Labyrinthitis
Perilymphatic fistula
Cholesteatoma is disqualifying
Cerumen impactions -remove before allowing to dive.
Stenosis or atresia of the ear canal-disqualifying.
Facial paralysis secondary to barotrauma
Tracheostomy, tracheostoma
Incompetent larynx due to surgery (Cannot close for valsalva maneuver)
Laryngocoele

Diving has now a favourite sport by many through out the world. One of the common medical problems related with diving is ear and nasal disorders. Ear often present with pain, loss of hearing and vertigo/dizziness.

Nasal symptoms are usually like headaches around the nasal area and forehead. Many divers have severe sinusitis with thickening of the mucosal layer within the nasal cavity. Adequate and proper treatment is required in order to avoid a serious condition or even causing a disaster while diving.