Neurotologists are physicians who have specialized in otolaryngology and then further specialized in neurological conditions of the ear and related structures. Many general otolaryngologists are trained in otology or middle ear surgery, performing surgery such as a tympanoplasty, or a reconstruction of the ear drum, when a hole remains from a prior ear tube or prior infection. Otologic surgery also includes treatment of conductive hearing loss by reconstructing the hearing bones, or ossicles, as a result of infection, or by replacing the stapes bone with a stapedectomy forotosclerosis. Neurotology encompasses more complex surgery of the inner ear not typically performed by general otolaryngologists, such as removal of complex cholesteatoma, labyrinthectomy, surgery of the endolymphatic sac formeniere's disease and cochlear implant surgery, because of the additional risk of hearing loss, vertigo, and facial nerve paralysis. It is more and more common in the United States as well as around the world for otolaryngologists to obtain additional advanced training in neurotology, which requires an additional one or two years of fellowship training after five years of residency.

 

• Dizziness

  • BPPV – benign paroxysmal positional vertigo

  • labyrinthitis/vestibular neuronitis

  • Ménière's disease/endolymphatic hydrops

  • Perilymphatic fistula

  • acoustic neuroma

• Hearing loss

• Mastoiditis

• Otitis externa – outer ear or ear canal inflammation

• Otitis media – middle ear inflammation

• Otitis interna – inner ear inflammation

• Perforated eardrum (hole in the eardrum due to infection, trauma, explosion or loud noise)

• Ear surgery