Houston ENT and Allergy Blog

  Branchial cleft cysts develop during the developmental-embryonic stage when there is abnormal or improper neck or collarbone tissue development.  Branchial cleft cysts can be noticeable and look like an opening on one or both sides of the neck. The openings drain fluid, leading to the formation of a pocket or cyst. Sometimes there's infection in the pocket or cyst which oozes out of the skin's opening. Most of the time, branchial cleft cysts aren't harmful, and they usually don’t provide the ENT doctor a diagnostic challenge since they tend to have a consistent clinical presentation and physical locations.… Read More

  People who have a branchial cleft cyst are born with the condition, which begins in early in the embryonic stage. Though it is present at birth, it may not be recognized until adolescence among those who have this condition.… Read More

  Week four in May (May 20-26) of Better Hearing and Speech Month (BHSM) focused on increasing awareness of older Americans and falls. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 25 percent of people, aged 65 or older, fall each year. By the age of 80, that number increases to 50 percent. Unfortunately, only half those who fall inform their physicians. What you may not know, though, is that falling once in a year doubles your risks of falling again.… Read More

During May, which is Better Hearing and Speech Month, communication disorders and swallowing disorders are of interest to many as there is an increased awareness of these conditions as a result of the campaign.… Read More

  May is "Better Hearing and Speech Month (BHSM)" in the U.S.  May 1st marked the beginning of  BHSM and those with hearing loss as well as organizations all over the nation hope to raise awareness of communication disorders, treatments, available hearing technology and the outcomes of communication in individuals with hearing loss.… Read More

  Auditory processing disorder (APD) or what doctors also refer to as central auditory processing disorder (CAPD), is a type of hearing issue that affects children during their school-age years. It also affects adults. According to a study published in the Journal of Otology, there's a two to five percent prevalence rate of auditory processing disorder in school-aged kids — 23 to 76 percent in older adults.… Read More

  Ear infections are a common childhood sickness and they can be painful. A lot of children will develop an ear infection at least once by the time they're one years old, according to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.… Read More

  If you have hyperacusis, it's important you understand the condition, its symptoms and causes as well as how it's treated.   Hyperacusis Definition So, what is hyperacusis? It’s a condition occuring from an issue with how the central auditory processing center of your brain perceives noise. Hyperacusis usually results in discomfort and pain. Those with the condition find tolerating sounds difficult, while others find these sounds normal. Some examples would be:… Read More

  Otitis externa was commonly known as “swimmer’s ear” is the irritation or inflammation of the ear canal. There have been millions of reported cases of acute otitis externa in the United States which accorded to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has resulted in more than 2.4 million patient health care visits annually.   And, with the hot summers, here in Texas, its common for children and adults alike to develop the condition after taking a swim to cool off.  Below, you can learn about the signs, causes, treatment and prevention of swimmers ear.… Read More

  People who suffer from vertigo may experience sensations that the world is rocking, rotating and spinning around them — even when they are standing perfectly still. It’s like experiencing seasickness on dry land.… Read More