For decades, the world around Linda Blank
seemed to have its volume set to low, but an
innovative procedure helped her rediscover
the joys of sound.
Chadwick N. Ahn, MD
Otolaryngologist
Imagine spending a day at the lake
with your family and not being
able to swim because of pain and
pressure in your ears, or being
unable to hear the laughter of your
grandchildren. Those scenarios
were facts of life for Linda, a
54-year-old small-business owner
from Bloomfield.
Since childhood, Linda has
lived with eustachian tube
dysfunction (ETD) in both ears, a condition that
affects the passage connecting the throat and middle
ear. When you travel in a plane or drive in the
mountains, a simple yawn can reduce the pressure
in your ears thanks to the eustachian tubes. If an
infection or allergy inflames the tubes or causes fluid
to plug them, however, they can become problematic.
(See "Spotting the Signs" to learn about ETD's
symptoms.)
"ETD took a toll on my life," Linda says. "I couldn't
hear well, I had ear infections all the time and
my ears were always ringing. Pain and drainage
were constant."
In Search of a Solution
"ETD is one of the most common conditions
otolaryngologists [ear, nose and throat physicians]
see in patients," says Chadwick N. Ahn, MD, an
otolaryngologist at Frankfort Regional Medical Center
who has treated Linda for years. "Patients often try
multiple over-the-counter and prescription medications,
such as Sudafed, Mucinex and nasal sprays.
Traditionally, otolaryngologists have offered ear-tube
placement in the office to help ventilate the middle ear."
Clarity
Regaining
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FrankfortRegional.com
