Ear Specialist in Gurgaon (Otology)

Ear problems we commonly see

Otology is the part of ENT that deals with the ear, from the outer canal to the hearing and balance organs deep inside. The problems that bring people in are fairly predictable:

• Ear pain and ear infections: infection of the outer ear canal (often after swimming or using ear buds) or of the middle ear (often after a cold). Middle ear infections are more common in children.
• Ear discharge: fluid, pus or blood coming from the ear. Discharge that keeps coming back usually means a hole in the eardrum or a long-standing middle ear infection.
• Ear wax blockage: a sudden muffled feeling, often after a bath. See our page on ear wax removal in Gurgaon.
• Hearing loss: gradual or sudden, in one ear or both.
• Ringing or buzzing in the ear (tinnitus): often linked to hearing loss or noise exposure.
• Vertigo and imbalance: the inner ear controls balance, so a spinning sensation often has an ear cause. Read more on vertigo treatment.
• Blocked ear after flying or a cold: usually due to Eustachian tube dysfunction.

When should you see an ear doctor?

A mild earache during a cold often settles in two or three days. Please don't wait that long if you have:

• Pain with fever, or pain that is getting worse
• Discharge from the ear, especially if it smells or keeps coming back
• Sudden hearing loss in one ear. This needs to be seen within a day or two, because treatment works best when it starts early
• Ringing in one ear only, or ringing with hearing loss
• Dizziness along with ear symptoms
• Swelling or pain behind the ear

How ear problems are diagnosed

The first visit usually starts with a conversation: when it began, which ear, whether there is discharge, any past ear surgery, and what you have already tried. Then the ear is examined with an otoscope or an ear endoscope, which shows the canal and eardrum clearly on a screen. Many patients find it useful to actually see the inside of their own ear.

Depending on what is found, you may be asked to do:

• Pure tone audiometry: a hearing test in a sound booth that shows how much hearing loss there is and what type it is.
• Tympanometry: a quick test that checks how the eardrum moves and whether there is fluid behind it.
• OAE (otoacoustic emissions): commonly used to screen hearing in newborns and young children.
• CT or MRI scan: only when needed, for example in long-standing discharge, suspected cholesteatoma or one-sided hearing loss.

Ear infection treatment

Outer ear infections are usually treated by cleaning the canal and using ear drops. Middle ear infections may need oral medicines. Avoid putting oil, garlic or anything else into a painful ear unless your doctor has advised it, because it can make an infected ear worse.

If you have a hole in the eardrum, keep water out of that ear while bathing. A cotton ball lightly coated with petroleum jelly works well. Ear drops should only be used if prescribed, because some drops are not safe when the eardrum is perforated.

Hearing loss treatment

Hearing loss falls into two broad types. Conductive loss happens when sound cannot travel properly through the canal, eardrum or middle ear bones. Wax, fluid, a perforation or otosclerosis can cause it, and it can often be treated with medicines or surgery. Sensorineural loss comes from the inner ear or hearing nerve. It is usually managed with hearing aids, and in severe cases with a cochlear implant.

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss is different. It needs early treatment, usually with steroids, so please treat it as urgent.

Ear surgery

Most ear problems settle with medicines. Surgery is advised when there is a lasting structural problem. Common ear operations include:

• Tympanoplasty: repair of a hole in the eardrum.
• Mastoidectomy: clearing disease from the mastoid bone behind the ear, often for chronic infection or cholesteatoma.
• Stapedotomy / stapedectomy: for otosclerosis, where a tiny bone in the middle ear stops moving.
• Grommet (ear tube) insertion: for long-standing fluid behind the eardrum, mostly in children.
• Cochlear implantation: for severe to profound hearing loss.

Before any surgery, Dr. Kapoor explains why it is being advised, what the alternatives are, the expected recovery and the possible risks, so you can make an informed decision.

A few habits that protect your ears

• Stop using ear buds inside the canal. They push wax deeper and scratch the skin.
• Keep earphone volume moderate, and take breaks during long calls.
• Dry your outer ear gently after a bath, but don't dig inside.
• Get children's hearing checked if they don't respond to sounds, speak late or turn up the TV volume.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is ear pain always an infection?

No. Ear pain can also come from wax, a blocked Eustachian tube, jaw joint problems or even the throat and teeth, because they share nerves. An examination usually tells the difference.

Can a hole in the eardrum heal on its own?

Small holes after an infection or injury often heal in a few weeks if the ear is kept dry. Holes that stay open beyond about three months usually need tympanoplasty.

Should I clean my ears at home?

The ear cleans itself. Wiping the outer ear is fine. If wax is blocking your ear, it is safer to have it removed in the clinic.

How much does ear surgery cost?

It depends on the type of surgery, the hospital and whether insurance or Ayushman Bharat (PMJAY) applies. You will get a clear estimate after the consultation and tests.

Is ear surgery covered under Ayushman card or insurance?

Many ear surgeries are covered under health insurance and PMJAY packages. Eligibility depends on your policy or card. See our Ayushman card page or ask at the clinic.

Book a consultation

Ace ENT Care, KK HealthCare Centre, 238, Sector 5, Gurugram. Monday to Saturday, 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM and 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM; Sunday, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM. Call +91-8178774813 or use the appointment page.