When my stepson was less than 2 years old, he suffered a serious ear infection. At the time, the physician "scraped" his ears, and the scar tissue that formed does not allow the tympanic membrane to vibrate. (According to previous records) As a result, his hearing is significantly impaired. He is now 9 years old. Is there any common procedure or device that will improve his hearing?
Reply -----------------
I am not sure what is meant by your stepson's having had his ears "scraped". Most likely a surgical intervention for a serious ear infection involved the performance of a myringotomy. This is a procedure in which a small incision is made in the ear drum to allow aspiration of fluid trapped in the middle ear behind the ear drum. Often this is accompanied by the placement of a small tube through the incision known as a tympanotomy tube. It is extremely unlikely that a significant hearing impairment due to ear drum scarring could be exclusively related to the performance of a myringotomy with or without placement of a tube. I am completely unfamiliar with the term "scraped" as a treatment for ear infections. As to the hearing impairment, it is possible to have ear drum scarring of sufficient degree to cause significant hearing loss. Providing the nerve function of hearing is normal, it may be possible to improve or correct the hearing by a surgical procedure known as a tympanoplasty which is essentially a reconstruction of the ear drum.
--
Steve Dankle, MD
Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Milwaukee, Wis
NOTICE: OFCN is not engaged in the rendering of professional medical services. The information contained on this system or any other OFCN system should not supplant individual professional consultation. It is offered exclusively as a community education service. Advice on individual problems must be obtained directly from a professional.
Click here to review
previous Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic consultations