Ear nose and throat

In its earlier stages, an acoustic neuroma can present similar symptoms to other, less serious conditions, which may delay diagnosis and treatment.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a condition characterised by episodes of sudden and severe vertigo.

Dizziness is generally treatable and rarely indicates serious brain disease.

It is estimated that around four out of five children will experience a middle ear infection at least once.

Meniere's disease affects the ear, which is the centre of hearing and balance.

Otosclerosis eventually affects both ears, but the condition doesn?t cause total deafness.

Labyrinthitis and vestibular neuritis are disorders that result in inflammation of the inner ear and the nerve connecting the inner ear to the brain.

Middle ear infections often happen during or after a child has a cold.

Swimmer's ear can be triggered by exposure to water or mechanical damage due to overzealous cleaning.

Tinnitus cannot be cured, but it can be managed with some lifestyle changes.

Deafness is caused by many different events including injury, disease and genetic defects.

Once hearing is damaged, it often can't be restored.

Auditory neuropathy is hearing loss caused by a disruption of nerve impulses travelling from the inner ear to the brain.

If you are unsure how to best communicate with a colleague who has a hearing impairment, ask them.

Many people with hearing loss experience a drop in self-esteem and confidence because of their impaired ability to communicate.

Lipreading can help people who are hearing impaired to cope better with their hearing loss.

The earlier that hearing loss is identified in children, the better for the child?s language, learning and overall development.

A ringing sensation in the ears (tinnitus), or people complaining that you talk too loudly are signs you may need to have your hearing checked.

Like any language, Auslan continues to evolve to meet the communication needs of people who are deaf.

Since adenoids are constantly in the path of germs, infections are common.

People are less sensitive to smells the older they get, and women tend to have a more acute sense of smell than men.

Bleeding from the nose is common in children and is usually not severe or serious.

Polyps are common. A polyp is a small protrusion that grows out of the membranes lining various areas of the body including the nose, intestines and lining of the uterus (endometrium).

If you suffer from sinusitis, it?s important to see if there is any trigger which can be treated.

Croup is a viral infection of the throat and windpipe that causes noisy breathing, a hoarse voice and a harsh, barking cough.

Prolonged exposure to air pollutants, such as dust, can irritate the larynx and cause chronic laryngitis.

Untreated rheumatic fever can lead to serious complications such as rheumatic heart disease.

A person with sleep apnoea may wake hundreds of times every night.

Streptococcal infection group A can cause sore throats (pharyngitis), scarlet fever or impetigo (school sores).

Risk factors for throat cancer include smoking or chewing tobacco, drinking alcohol and Human papillomavirus (HPV).