Otology

Ear-related problems may be diagnosed at or shortly after birth and can be diagnosed and rehabilitated at virtually any age. Comprehensive diagnosis, medical management, and surgical intervention may be provided depending upon the problem. At Arkansas Children's your child will be treated by experts in the diagnosis and care of pediatric ear-related problems.

Possible Conditions

Otology conditions treated at Arkansas Children’s range from the very common ear infections (acute otitis media), to profound sensorineural hearing loss which may require cochlear implantation to related problems such as dizziness and vertigo.

Acute Otitis Media (Ear Infections )

Acute otitis media, or ear infections, occurs in at least 75% of children. Most children are treated with antibiotics.

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Cholesteatoma

Cholesteatoma is a small skin cyst which grows in the middle ear. These masses can slowly expand and destroy ear bones or the inner ear system.

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Chronic otitis media with effusion

Chronic otitis media with effusion is persistent fluid in the middle ear space for more than two to three months.

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Conductive Hearing Loss

Conductive hearing loss may occur from middle ear effusion or from an inborn abnormality or acquired problem with the eardrum or middle ear bones.

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Sensorineural (Nerve Deafness)

Sensorineural, or nerve deafness occurs in 2-4 of every 1,000 children born. The diagnosis is oftentimes made shortly after birth by infant hearing screening programs.

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Vertigo (Dizziness)

Dizziness, or vertigo, is uncommon in children and can be related to a variety of underlying problems including inner ear damage and other problems.

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Possible Tests and Treatments

Audiograms 

Audiograms can be performed by pediatric otolaryngologists to reliably diagnose hearing in young children through adults.

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Bone Anchored Hearing Aid

A bone anchored hearing aid is a surgically implanted device in which a small screw is placed directly into the skull.

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Cochlear Implantation

For the cochlear implantation procedure, a small wire is inserted through the mastoid directly into the cochlea.

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Mastoidectomy

Mastoidectomy is a surgery performed by drilling behind the ear in which the infected bone,

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Otoacoustic Emissions (OAEs)

Otoacoustic emissions, or OAEs, is a very quick screening method to determine whether the cochlea, or organ of hearing, is functioning appropriately.

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Tympanogram

Tympanogram is a test which measures whether the fluid is present behind the eardrum by placing a simple probe in the ear.

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Tympanoplasty

Tympanoplasty is a delicate procedure performed to repair holes in eardrums.

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Tympanostomy with Tube Insertion (PET)

Tympanostomy with tube insertion (PET) is a minor surgery where a small tube is inserted directly through the eardrum to remove middle ear fluid.

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Meet the Team

The pediatric otolaryngologists at Arkansas Children's are experts in the diagnosis and management of pediatric ear-related problems.

John Dornhoffer, MD

Otolaryngology (Ear, Nose, Throat)
Little Rock
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Locations

Arkansas Children's Hospital
1 Children's Way
Little Rock, AR 72202
501-725-6428
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Arkansas Children's Northwest
2601 Gene George Blvd.
Springdale, AR 72762
479-725-6800
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