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Providers

Mark J. Abrams, MD Bailin Alexander, MD Zachary Cappello, MD Robert E. Harley, MD S. Brett Heavner, MD Chad S. Kessler, MD F.P. Johns Langford, MD, FACS Joshua D. Levine, MD Roy S. Lewis, MD Jonathan R. Moss, MD Sriram Navuluri, MD Todd R. Reulbach, MD Jamie Scaglione, MD Michael W. Sicard, MD J. Robert Silver, MD Nicholas G. Stowell, MD Christopher L. Tebbit, MD Ross A. Udoff, MD

Middle ear infection treatments at CEENTA

When you have eustachian tube dysfunction, this could lead to middle ear infections and subsequent hearing loss and pain. CEENTA offers various middle ear infection treatments including surgery for eustachian tube dysfunction and Eustachian Tube Balloon Dilation.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Eustachian Tube Balloon Dilation

  1. What are common middle ear problems?
  2. What is eustachian tube balloon dilation?
  3. What happens during eustachian tube balloon dilation?
  4. Where can I get middle ear infection treatments in Charlotte, NC?

What are common middle ear problems?

  • Middle ear infections (acute otitis media). Bacteria can move from the nose, up the Eustachian tube and into the middle ear. As the bacteria multiply, the middle ear fills with pus, causing pain and irritability. Antibiotics should kill the bacteria and improve symptoms within a few days.
  • Persisting middle ear infection (persistent acute otitis media). If the child is getting no improvement in his/her symptoms despite appropriate antibiotics, and the ear exam still shows signs of an infection, persistent acute otitis media is diagnosed.
  • Recurring middle ear infections (recurrent acute otitis media). Some children's symptoms temporarily improve with antibiotics but then recur soon afterwards. Children having more than three symptomatic infections within a six-month period are classified as having recurrent acute otitis media.
  • Middle ear fluid (otitis media with effusion). While antibiotics should kill the bacteria causing an infection within a few days, the middle ear fluid may take weeks to clear. During that time, the non-infected fluid is called otitis media with effusion. Some children, especially older children, develop middle ear fluid without ever having any actual infection.

What is Eustachian Tube Balloon Dilation?

CEENTA now offers the AERA Eustachian Tube Balloon Dilation System, the first balloon device to treat persistent Eustachian tube dysfunction in the United States.

Eustachian Tube Balloon Dilation, middle ear infection treatments, middle ear problems, surgery for eustachian tube dysfunction, adult ear infections

Eustachian tube dysfunction, or ETD, is when the normal function of the Eustachian tube – helping maintain pressure in the ear by periodically opening and closing – is impaired, leading to pressure, pain, impaired hearing, persistent ear infections, tinnitus, or other symptoms.

ETD affects approximately 1 percent of adults.

What happens during Eustachian Tube Balloon Dilation? 

With the AERA Eustachian Tube Balloon Dilation System, a doctor uses a catheter to insert a small balloon through the patient’s nose and into the Eustachian tube. Once inflated, the balloon opens up a pathway for mucus and air to flow through the tube. This may help the Eustachian tube to function properly again. After the tube is dilated, the doctor deflates and removes the balloon.

Eustachian tube balloon dilation has normally been treated with medication and surgery for eustachian tube dysfunction. However, not fixing the underlying problem can lead to chronic symptoms and complaints, or more serious conditions like infections or related long-term complications.

You can read more about CEENTA's involvement in researching this procedure on our blog.

You can also read more about CEENTA's eustachian tube balloon dilation training session for regional doctors in this blog.

Where can I get middle ear infection treatments in Charlotte, NC?

Eustachian tube balloon dilation treatment and surgery for eustachian tube dysfunction are available in North and South Carolina near Charlotte, NC.

Schedule Your Same-Day ENT Appointment with CEENTA

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