Otology - Ear and Hearing Division

Pediatric & Adult: We treat all medical and surgical problems in the pediatric and adult population. In chronic infection both medical and surgical treatments are offered depending upon the situation. All testing of the middle and inner ear is done on site in order to assist diagnosis. Surgery to correct eardrum perforations, repair middle ear bone deficits and treat cholesteatoma are performed. Implants are used to repair middle ear bones and may be used in some cases of nerve deafness.

Stapedectomy: Generally for otosclerosis but also performed if the stapes is diseased due to chronic infection. See physician’s video library and C.V. of Dr. Berenholz.

Tympanoplasty: Surgical procedure performed for perforated eardrum which may be due to infection or trauma. Done as an outpatient and may be done under local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia depending on the size. Many times is done in conjunction with a middle ear bone reconstruction.

Ossiculoplasty: Surgical procedure to reconstruct the middle ear bones done under local anesthesia with sedation, occasionally under general anesthesia. May be combined with a tympanoplasty. Generally divided into two types: partial ossiculoplasty in which the incus bone is reconstructed and the stapes is normal and total ossiculoplasty in which all the middle ear bones are reconstructed.

Mastoidectomy: Surgical procedure to treat chronic infection and/or cholesteatoma in the mastoid. This is often combined with a tympanoplasty. This is done under general anesthesia as an outpatient.

BAHA: Implant performed for single sided deafness, atresia, inability to wear hearing aid and patients who are not candidates for tympanic membrane and/or ossicle reconstruction. Done as an outpatient under local anesthesia with sedation.

Meniere’s Disease: Conservative medical therapy consisting of low salt diet and water pill frequently prescribed. Steroid and Gentamycin injections performed for patients not relieved with conservative therapy. Some patients will require surgical intervention to stabilize symptoms, most often a conservative type of procedure. In the great majority of patients symptoms will be stabilized.

Cochlear Implant: Click here for more information.

Head and Neck Division

Dr. Farmer is the Director of the Head and Neck Division in the practice. Problems and diseases of the nose, throat and Head and Neck are comprehensively managed with both medical and surgical treatments. Nasal problems such as chronic sinusitis, allergy, and nasal obstruction from a deviated septum, polyps or turbinate disease are diagnosed and treated with the most up to date techniques. Balloon Sinuplasty, a cutting edge procedure, can be performed in the operating room or in the office under local anesthesia to treat sinus problems (when appropriate). Our in-office Allergy Clinic allows for both the diagnosis and treatment of allergies.

Chronic sore throats, recurring tonsil and adenoid infections, difficulty swallowing and reflux related throat symptoms are evaluated as well. Sleep apnea is accurately diagnosed and surgical alternatives are offered to those patients who are candidates. Nonsurgical patients are managed and followed on CPAP if needed. Endoscopic exam of the nose as well as evaluation of hoarseness/larynx by fiberoptic scopes are standard procedures in the office. Complete examination of the patient with a neck mass is performed. Surgical excision of neck masses, including benign and cancerous tumors are performed. Thyroid masses (both benign and cancer) are diagnosed and treated appropriately. Both adults and children are seen for all of the above ENT problems.