Comprehensive ENT care in North Sydney

OSA occurs when the tissues around the upper airway collapse or narrow during sleep, restricting the flow of air during breathing.

One of the most easily identifiable signs of OSA is loud snoring, however, not everyone who snores has OSA. Other signs and symptoms of OSA include feeling very fatigued during the day, gasping or choking for air during sleep, morning headaches, and difficulty with concentration during the day. In children, sleep apnoea may present as behavioural issues or bedwetting at night.

The management of OSA may be initiated with lifestyle changes, such as avoiding tobacco smoking or alcohol excess, and weight loss with diet and exercise. A continuous positive air pressure (CPAP) machine or oral device can help to reduce snoring and OSA for many people. In some patients, surgery may be necessary to assist the upper airway in staying open during sleep and improve the efficacy of CPAP.

Though presbycusis (age-related hearing loss) is the most common form of hearing impairment, assessment with an ENT doctor is recommended if your hearing loss is very sudden, occurs after head trauma or sudden changes in air pressure, is associated with dizziness or balance issues, headache, or facial weakness/numbness, or if you also have an autoimmune condition such as lupus or ulcerative colitis.

Tinnitus is the perception of sound in one or both ears without a true external source of sound. Many people will describe it as a ringing, clicking, buzzing, or roaring. In many cases, there is no underlying disorder that can be attributed to the tinnitus, known as primary tinnitus. Sometimes further testing may be necessary if your tinnitus has a pulsating quality to it or is associated with other ear symptoms or neurological symptoms.

When assessing your hearing loss or tinnitus, it is important that a comprehensive clinical review of your medical history, including current medications, the details of your symptoms, and a complete and targeted physical examination are performed. Based on these findings, our doctors may recommend treatment with medications, surgery, or refer you for management with tinnitus-masking hearing aids or other therapies.

There are several different types of ear infections. An infection of the ear can occur in the outer ear (otitis externa or swimmer’s ear), middle ear (otitis media or glue ear), or inner ear (vestibular neuronitis or labyrinthitis). Because of the intimate connection between the ears and the organs responsible for balance, symptoms of some types of ear infection may include not only problems with hearing but also dizziness, nausea, and balance issues.

Depending on the location and underlying cause of your ear infection, our doctors may prescribe medications to both alleviate discomfort and resolve the infection and inflammation, including painkillers, steroids, or antibiotics. Surgery may be necessary to manage some cases of ear infections or their complications. These situations include repairing an eardrum perforation as a result of infection or trauma, reconstructing the connection between the eardrum and tiny bones of the ears (the ossicles), or to treat a rare benign growth within the ear known as a cholesteatoma.

If your child experiences frequent ear infections, or has persistently dampened hearing due to chronic fluid accumulation in the middle ear, the surgical insertion of tiny ear ventilation tubes called grommets can help prevent fluid build-up and support the natural function of the eustachian tubes.

While many nose and sinus disorders may be managed with over-the-counter medications and nasal sprays, some cases will benefit from a more comprehensive examination and treatment plan with an ENT specialist.

Our specialists at Victoria Cross ENT adopt a holistic approach to treatment. If you have a nose and sinus disorder, this may involve recommending behavioural changes, such as identifying and avoiding certain triggers or environments, as well as use of over-the-counter and prescription medications. If surgery is necessary, such as for enlarged adenoids, turbinate hypertrophy, or nasal septal deviations, our surgeons can typically perform these operations as a day procedure.

A common condition seen by ENT specialists is the sensation of a persistent discomfort or lump in the throat, known as globus pharyngeus. This condition itself is benign, though it can be bothersome and is sometimes associated with other disorders such as reflux or thyroid problems. Other head and neck conditions commonly encountered by ENT surgeons include swallowing difficulties or dysphagia, vocal polyps and voice disorders, and salivary gland disorders involving the parotid and submandibular glands.

Our specialists’ approach to managing head and neck disorders involves a thorough assessment of your medical history, presenting signs and symptoms, and a detailed clinical head and neck examination. In some cases, our specialists may refer you for further radiological studies or blood test workup. Depending on the condition, management may warrant surgery, medications, speech and swallowing therapy, or lifestyle modifications.