What Are ENT Specialists And Cochlear Implant

The otolaryngologists are ENT specialists Singapore who specialised in a wide range of ear, nose and throat (ENT) and head and neck problems. They are doctors who specialised in head and neck surgery, sinus and allergy disorders, sleep-disordered breathing, laryngology and voice disorders, hearing loss and ear disorders, evaluation of dizziness and imbalance, as well as tinnitus (‘ringing in the ear’).

What is a cochlear implant

A cochlear implant is an electronic medical device that replaces the function of the damaged inner ear. Unlike hearing aids, which make sounds louder, cochlear implants Singapore do the work of damaged parts of the inner ear (cochlea) to provide sound signals to the brain.

If you are very hard of hearing or deaf, a cochlear implant may help you get back a sense of sound. It is not a hearing aid, which makes sounds louder. It is a small device that a doctor puts in your ear through surgery. It works by sending impulses directly to your auditory nerve, which carries sound signals to your brain.

Although a cochlear implant does not make you hear normally again, it can help you with sounds. Most people with severe to profound hearing loss can understand speech in person or over the phone better than they did with a hearing aid. It can usually help you recognize sounds around you, including telephones, doorbells, and alarms. Many people also can pick up on speech in noisy environments better than they did with hearing aids, or even enjoy music again.

How do they work

Many people suffer hearing loss because their hair cells in the inner ear or (or cochlea) are damaged. The cochlear implant enables the sound to be transferred to your hearing nerves and enables you to hear. The process is described below:

1) A sound processor worn behind the ear or on the body can capture sound and turns it into digital code. The sound processor has a battery that powers the entire system.
2) The sound processor transmits the digitally-coded sound through the coil on the outside of your head to the implant.
3) The implant converts the digitally-coded sound into electrical impulses and sends them along the electrode array placed in the cochlea (the inner ear).
4) The implant's electrodes stimulate the cochlea's hearing nerve, which then sends the impulses to the brain where they are interpreted as sound.

What are the benefits of a cochlear implant

1) Hear better with a cochlear implant than with a hearing aid.
2) Can focus better when in noisy environments. Being able to focus better allows them to have conversations with people across meeting tables, in restaurants and other crowded places.

3) Reconnect with missed sounds that they could not hear before their cochlear implant.
4) Feel safer in the world as they can hear alarms, people calling out and approaching vehicles.
5) Talk and hear on the phone.
6) Enjoy music.

Cochlear implants can be a life-changing matter. But the results are not the same for everyone. Some people benefit more than others. Some of the pros:

1) Some may be able to hear speech at a nearly normal level.
2) Some may be able to understand speech without lip reading.
3) It is easier to talk on the phone and hear the TV.
4) Some may be able to hear music better than before.
5) Some can pick up on different types of sounds, including soft, medium, and loud ones.
6) You can better control your own voice so that it is easier for others to understand you.

When To See An ENT Specialist

Do you have a sore throat that won’t go away? Are you experiencing ringing in your ears? There are various symptoms that would prompt the need for someone to seek the help of an ENT specialist. An ENT (ears, nose and throat) specialist, also known as an otolaryngologist, can help treat a condition that is causing problems with your ears, nose or throat.

What Is An ENT Specialist?

An ENT specialist is a doctor trained in the medical and surgical treatment of the ears, nose, throat and related structures of the neck and head. Otolaryngologists have special expertise in dealing with diseases of the ears nose and nasal passage sinuses, oral cavity, larynx (voice box), upper pharynx, and structures of face and neck.

Symptoms That Signal A Visit To An ENT

So, the question is “when should you see an ENT doctor?” Well, if you experience any of the following symptoms, you should schedule a visit to a specialist to avoid complications.

●       Hearing Loss. You may experience temporary hearing loss when there is a build-up of material in the ear, like ear wax or fluid, which should be removed to be able to hear clearly. Hearing loss also occurs when there is a problem with your eardrum, ear canal or the three bones connected to the eardrum. It is critical to visit an ear specialist to detect if your hearing loss is just temporary or you have developed a sensorineural. This type of hearing loss is caused by either nerve damage due to loud noise or sound exposure, or may be linked to aging. Read these articles hearing loss Singapore and hearing aids for more details information.

 

 

●       Sore Throat. A sore throat that does not get better even after a dose of antibiotics or medications is cause for concern. Often, this condition is accompanied by difficulty in swallowing and slowly losing of voice. It should be checked by a throat specialist right away as there could be something wrong with your throat. Also, these symptoms may be related to a disorder in another part of your body.

●       Headaches. If you are experiencing a headache that won’t go away, you should never neglect it. A headache is often linked to a sinus problem, but it may also be related to more serious issues like chronic sinusitis, acute upper respiratory infections or anatomic abnormalities. Commonly, a CT scan is used to help diagnose the cause of your headache and point the way towards the most effective treatment.

●       Sinus Pain. If you are experiencing pain in your forehead, between your eyes, in your upper jaws and teeth, and on either side of your nose, you must see a sinus specialist Singapore or ENT doctor. All these pain and discomfort could imply that you have a sinus infection. Medically termed sinusitis, the infection occurs when the cavities around the nose become inflamed and swollen. Sinusitis is commonly caused by a virus and rarely by fungus or bacteria. Allergies, a tooth infection, deviated septum and nasal polyps may also trigger sinusitis.

 

●       Congestion. This condition may lead to pain and discomfort, as feelings of pressure inside the head cause dizziness and headache. Some the causes of congestion include viral infections, acute bacterial infections and seasonal allergies. If you have an ongoing congestion, it may be associated with deviated septum.

●       Airway Blockage. If you have difficulty in breathing properly and comfortably through your nose, you should see an ENT specialist Singapore to identify the cause. There are various reasons as to why this problem exists, such as viral infection, deviated septum or polyps. Your doctor can pinpoint the problem and the possible treatment.