UC Irvine Otolaryngology

Peer-reviewed studies have shown that use of the da Vinci Surgical System has resulted in: -Fewer complications -Less blood loss -Smaller incisions... -Minimal scarring -Shorter hospital stays -Faster recovery See more

Learn more about the causes and symptoms of acoustic neuromas from Dr. Hamid Djalilian. For additional questions or to schedule your appointment, contact us today.

Chronic ear infections develop in the middle ear. They recur more than two times or persist despite treatment. Fortunately, many potential fixes are available.

Hear from Dr. Hamid Djalilian to learn more about Superior Canal Dehiscence and treatment options available. For additional questions or to schedule your appointment, contact us today.

Hear from Dr. Sunil Verma to learn more about Vocal Cord Paralysis and treatment options available. For additional questions or to schedule your appointment, contact us today.

If you have tinnitus, then holiday dread may be something you experience each year. The added stress, excitement, and family/workplace parties can make the condition feel worse. Be sure to take time for yourself to keep stress levels down, and give your ears plenty of breaks with quiet spaces or white noise.

Electronystagmography (ENG) is a test performed on individuals with vertigo, a condition that results in the illusion of experiencing spinning motion that can c...ause dizziness. Involving the strategic placement of electrodes, an ENG may also be recommended for patients with other hearing-related issues. Specifically, various ENG tests evaluate the functioning of: - The acoustic (vestibulocochlear) nerve that links the inner ear to the brain to control balance and hearing - The oculomotor nerve, which connects to eye muscle To learn more about ENG tests, contact us today.

The new Mini BTE device is an open-fit hearing aid. This means a tiny, custom-molded device fits completely behind your ear. It usually remains invisible to oth...ers. A slim, narrow tube connects to a flexible tip. Although this tip sits directly in the ear canal, it does not block it. Unlike other hearing assistive devices, the Mini BTE hearing aid allows air and sound into the ear for a more natural feeling. Often, the person wearing hearing aids hears their own voice echoed to them. The Mini BTE hearing aid eliminates the echo and the feeling that they have a plugged nose similar to experiencing a cold. Contact us today to book your next appointment.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Bone-anchored hearing aids (BAHA) are implantable systems that use bone conduction and sound vibrations to create a more complete and comprehensive listening ex...perience for individuals with a hearing impairment. Developed in the late 1960s, bone-anchored hearing aids differ from standard types of hearing aids in that they amplify acoustic sounds as they enter the ear canal. Book your appointment today to see if bone-anchored devices are right for you.

People with polyps in their nose or sinus cavity may experience a range of symptoms, including nasal obstruction, a decreased sense of smell, pressure in the cheeks and around the nose, and a lot of drainage of mucous from the nose. Repeated sinus infections are also an indication of nasal or sinus polyps. When you have a nasal or sinus polyp, you might feel as if you have a persistent cold or sinus infection that never gets any better. Many people also experience problems with the quality of their voice because of the blocked nose or sinus. Nasal polyps can occur in conjunction with asthma and a sensitivity to aspirin. Altogether, this situation is called Samter’s triad. Another name for it is aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease, or AERD. If you have nasal polyps and need to see a doctor, contact us today.

Many people suffer from the occasional ear infection caused by a cold or allergies. However, when your symptoms go beyond those normally associated with minor ear infections, you may suffer from a cholesteatoma. A cholesteatoma is a growth in the middle ear that is located behind the ear drum and over the mastoid bone. It is non-cancerous and typically starts out as a small cyst. As time progresses, it grows larger and begins to inflict symptoms that can negatively impact you...r health. A cholesteatoma is caused by a malfunction of the Eustachian tube. When this tube does not work as designed, you may develop a cholesteatoma because air cannot escape the middle ear. This condition most often appears in people who suffer from chronic colds and allergies. Contact us today for more information.

If you have ever felt dizziness where it feels like you or the world around you is spinning, you may suffer from vertigo. Unlike ordinary dizziness or faintness, vertigo is more of a rotational spinning that can cause you to feel, or even become, off balanced. There are many different causes of vertigo, so your treatment may depend on the underlying cause. - Medication: Vertigo that is a result of an inflammation or some type of infection might best be treated through the use... of a steroid medication or with antibiotics. Other medications might help with related symptoms, such as nausea. - Exercises: There are some exercises that might help you to reduce crystals or calcium deposits within the ear canal to reduce episodes of vertigo. These exercises can be done at home on your own. - Physical Therapy: A type of physical therapy known as vestibular rehabilitation can be very effective for some who suffer from recurrent vertigo. - Surgery: Surgery may be necessary if your vertigo is caused by an injury or a growth inside of the inner ear canal, such as a tumor. If crystals are a continuing issue, a plug can be surgically inserted to block the region where your problems may originate. - Home Remedies: Whether you are undergoing treatment or would like to treat your vertigo symptoms at home, there are several lifestyle changes that you can make. Move slowly, especially when getting up or down to reduce dizziness. Sit down as soon as you notice symptoms until they pass. Use a cane to keep yourself steady if vertigo affects your balance. If you tend to get up at night, keep walking areas well lit and free from clutter. More more information, contact us today.

Vocal cord papillomas are caused by the human papilloma virus, also known as HPV. The human papilloma virus is typically transmitted from person to person through intimate contact; however, not everyone who is infected develops the growths. The development of papillomas may depend on the ability of the individual’s immune system to fight the virus. Papillomas are not associated with excessive vocal cord use. Contact us today to learn more and to schedule your next appointment.

Your doctor or a sleep study may be able to determine your particular cause of snoring. One common cause of snoring is the soft palate, which is the roof of your mouth. As you get older, the tissue and muscles of your soft palate lose their firmness and may begin to sag. Each time you breathe in, the sagging tissue vibrates and generates the snoring sounds. The uvula can also be a cause of snoring. This part of your body is a small flap of tissue that extends from your soft p...alate. It looks like a dangling letter U. A uvula that is elongated or unusually thick may also vibrate when you breathe at night. This contributes to the snoring noise. Inside your nose, the middle partition (septum) can be bowed or on the internal sides of the nose outcroppings called turbinates can be swollen causing your nasal passages to be very narrow. This can promote snoring. Are you dealing with problems caused by snoring? Contact us today to book your next appointment.

Sinusitis occurs when the mucous membrane that lines the sinuses become inflamed. A more accurate name for the condition is rhinosinusitis. Rhino refers to the nose, and is a more precise name because the inflamed sinuses are usually accompanied by an inflamed mucous lining in the nose. When the mucous membranes around the openings of the sinuses become obstructed, the sinuses fill up with fluid. This warm, moist environment creates optimal growing conditions for bacteria and other microorganisms. The infection further enhances inflammation of the mucous membrane, causing a positive feedback loop that perpetuates itself. Learn more about sinusitis symptoms and how we can help.

Since lip cancer is closely linked to sun exposure, you can reduce your risk by using lip products that contain sunscreen. Anyone noticing a change in the skin on their lips or unusual bumps or lesions on the lips should consult their doctor as soon as possible. The available treatments for lip cancer are highly successful when started early. To learn more, contact us today.

Thank you for the kind words and positive review!

Damage from a viral infection causes facial nerve paralysis known as Bell’s palsy. Symptoms of this nerve disorder typically include - Weakness or paralysis that occurs on only one side of the face - Altered taste sensation on the affected side of the face - Increased sound sensitivity and pain behind the ear on the affected side... - Increased tearing on the affected side The majority of Bell’s palsy cases resolve without complication when the infection goes away. Up to 90 percent of patients regain normal function within a few weeks to months. Early diagnosis and treatment with antiviral medications and corticosteroids can improve the chances of a successful recovery. To learn more, contact us today.

The best-known symptom of vertigo is dizziness, but it is usually more severe than simple light-headedness. Patients may feel as if they are tilting, swaying or spinning; they may even feel as if they are being pulled in one direction. Other symptoms can include the following: - Tinnitus - Abnormal eye movements - Nausea and/or vomiting... - Sweating - Headache - Hearing loss For help with vertigo, contact us today.

A typical symptom of laryngitis is hoarseness, occurring when the vocal cords become swollen and cannot vibrate properly to produce the desired sound. It’s not unusual to develop a sore throat in advance of experiencing of developing laryngitis. Additional symptoms may include: - An urge to constantly clear the throat - A tickle in the throat - Cough (may be due to a related bronchial infection)... - Congestion - Fever Learn more and schedule your next appointment today.

Tinnitus is one of the most common health conditions in the United States. High risk groups include senior citizens, active military personnel and veterans, people employed in loud workplace environments, musicians and music lovers, and motorsports and hunting enthusiasts. If you are struggling with tinnitus, let us help. Book your appointment today.