barotrauma Barotrauma Barotrauma refers to injuries caused by increased air or water pressure, such as during airplane flights or scuba diving. cholesteatoma Chronic Otitis Media, Cholesteatoma and Mastoiditis Chronic otitis media describes some long-term problems with the middle ear. chronic otitis media Chronic Otitis Media, Cholesteatoma and Mastoiditis Chronic otitis media describes some long-term problems with the middle ear. hearing loss, adults Hearing Loss in Adults Hearing loss is a decrease in the ability to perceive sounds. It can be partial or total, sudden or gradual, temporary or permanent. It can affect one ear or both. In general, the risk of hearing loss increases with age. labyrinthitis Vertigo Vertigo is the illusion that either your body or your environment is moving (usually "spinning"). Vertigo can be a symptom of many different illnesses and disorders. otitis media Middle Ear Infection (Otitis Media) Otitis media is the medical term for inflammation and infection of the middle ear, the air-filled chamber behind the eardrum. otitis externa Swimmer's Ear (Otitis Externa) Otitis externa is an infection of the ear canal caused by bacteria or fungi. It often is called swimmer's ear because it is associated with frequent swimming. otosclerosis Hearing Loss in Adults Hearing loss is a decrease in the ability to perceive sounds. It can be partial or total, sudden or gradual, temporary or permanent. It can affect one ear or both. In general, the risk of hearing loss increases with age. perforation/rupture of eardrum Perforated Eardrum The eardrum is delicate and can be torn (perforated) easily, most often by an infection of the middle ear (otitis media) but also by other types of trauma. earwax blockage Wax Blockage of the Ear Canal Normal production of earwax is healthy and good for your ears. If too much wax is being produced, it can block the ear. swimmer's ear Swimmer's Ear (Otitis Externa) Otitis externa is an infection of the ear canal caused by bacteria or fungi. It often is called swimmer's ear because it is associated with frequent swimming. Meniere's disease Meniere's Disease In Meniere's disease, fluid collects in the inner ear. vertigo Vertigo Vertigo is the illusion that either your body or your environment is moving (usually "spinning"). Vertigo can be a symptom of many different illnesses and disorders. tinnitus Tinnitus Tinnitus, commonly called ringing in the ears, is the sensation of hearing a sound in the ears when no such sound exists. hearing loss, children Hearing Loss in Children More than 7 million children have hearing loss, which can be present at birth (congenital) or can develop later in life (acquired). decompression sickness Decompression Sickness Decompression sickness, also called generalized barotrauma or the bends, refers to injuries caused by a rapid decrease in the pressure that surrounds you, of either air or water. It occurs most commonly in scuba or deep-sea divers, although it also can occur during high-altitude or unpressurized air travel. acoustic neuroma Acoustic Neuroma An acoustic neuroma is a type of benign (noncancerous) brain tumor that grows in the middle ear. earache Earache Pain in one or both ears can occur for many reasons, some not related to the ear at all. When the pain is caused by an ear problem, the most common reason is blockage of the passageway between the middle ear and the back of the throat. mastoiditis Chronic Otitis Media, Cholesteatoma and Mastoiditis Chronic otitis media describes some long-term problems with the middle ear. foreign object Foreign Objects in the Ear A foreign object in the ear can be anything in the ear canal (the tube that leads from the eardrum to the outside) that normally would not be there. infection Middle Ear Infection (Otitis Media) Otitis media is the medical term for inflammation and infection of the middle ear, the air-filled chamber behind the eardrum. wax blockage Wax Blockage of the Ear Canal Normal production of earwax is healthy and good for your ears. If too much wax is being produced, it can block the ear.