Ear

The basic science of an ear infection is that it happens when bacteria enters the middle part of the ear. It’s this that causes the inflammation that can result in pain and discomfort.

Ear pain can be incredibly uncomfortable. You might find that it makes working hard or impossible, and it can disrupt a lot of your regular routines such as sleeping.

Tinnitus is a very common issue – more than 50 million people experience some form of it at one time or another. It can range from a temporary annoyance to a problem that just won’t go away.

Many people visit an ear, nose and throat clinic for a variety of different complaints.

Getting a hearing aid can make a big difference to your day to day life. You might find it easier to follow conversations or to enjoy your favourite programmes on the TV.

Inner ear problems come in many different forms, including infections and balance disorders, but the symptoms are often similar. The biggest clue that you have a problem with your inner ears is that your balance is affected.

Ear infections can be very distressing for children as they can cause earache, balance problems and hearing loss.

Dizziness is one of those symptoms that can have a wide range of different causes, which can make getting the right diagnosis rather tricky.

Ear infections can happen anywhere in your outer, middle or inner ear. The symptoms can be very different depending on where the problem is located.

Earwax doesn’t usually need to be removed as it will make its way out of your ear naturally. However, if the wax gets stuck it can build up and block your ear.