Ear problems cause more than just hearing loss. They can affect your ability to walk, run, stand or maintain your overall balance. Your ears control two of the most vital functions that help you each day — hearing and balance.
When you’re not able to enjoy all the rich, full sounds of life’s most meaningful moments nor participate in your favorite activities with confidence, it can have a tremendous impact on your outlook on life. Our ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialists at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center want to make sure that doesn’t happen.
We specialize in diagnosing and treating a broad range of ear-related conditions and work together with specialists across various departments to provide the best hearing and balance care available in Columbus, Ohio. With fellowship-trained neurotologists and more than 10 full-time audiologists, we have the most comprehensive vestibular (balance) testing facility in the area and unmatched knowledge of auditory devices, such as hearing aids and cochlear implants.
We’re a complete source of ear care and research, and our talented health care providers want to give people struggling with ear issues their lives back.
What are hearing and vestibular disorders?
The ear is made up of many parts with some that control how we hear and others that control balance. Parts, like the eardrum or stapes bone, in the middle ear help us hear and interpret sound. The inner ear, with its semicircular canals and vestibular nerves, is responsible for balance.
The sensory system that controls balance, spatial awareness and body posture is called the vestibular system.
When different parts of the ear become infected or damaged, either due to disease or injury, your hearing and balance can be affected. Numerous conditions can cause hearing loss or balance issues, with some affecting both systems of the ear. We offer specialized care for many of these disorders.
Hearing and balance conditions we treat
Ear-related conditions can lead to hearing loss or vestibular problems (dizziness, imbalance), or sometimes both. These symptoms can be caused by genetics, aging or certain medications (ototoxicity) but also a variety of conditions. Hearing and balance disorders we treat include:
Why choose Ohio State for your hearing and balance needs
The Ohio State University Wexner Medical provides hearing and balance care that is nationally recognized and unrivaled in the region. We treat a diverse group of people with a variety of different diseases.
Distinctions that make Ohio State different in ear care include:
- Our collaborative team approach – The hearing and balance program at the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center encompasses many divisions that work together to ensure you receive the best care. Those include otology, neurology, audiology, vestibular disorders, oncology, cranial base surgery and other surgical disciplines, and many more.
- Our dedicated testing staff – We have a knowledgeable, highly experienced audiology staff that conducts hearing tests, which provide a solid base of information to assist with your diagnosis.
- Our knowledge of ear devices – We can help you choose the hearing device that is best for you. Our team also specializes in cochlear implantation and training.
- Our unparalleled expertise in ear disorders – Among our physicians are a group of neurotologists who are skilled in treating all diseases of the ear, medically or surgically. Many of the neurotologists in the state of Ohio are found here.
- Our Vestibular Rehabilitation Program – For people with recurring vestibular issues, we have a rehabilitation program that can help them work on balance retraining or learning exercises that can lessen the impacts of vertigo.
- Our national reputation – The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the nation’s best hospitals for care of the ear, nose and throat.