Problems with the ears are more common than many people realize. The good news is that a trip to an ear doctor Rockville MD can often uncover the origin of the issue and make it possible to identify a course of treatment. If you’re experiencing any of the following, now is the time to schedule an appointment.

Increased Ringing in the Ears

You’ve experienced temporary ringing in the ears before. This time, things seem to be a little different. For one thing, the ringing doesn’t seem to be going away. There’s also the sense that the ringing is getting worse instead of better.

Before assuming this is something you will have to live with, see a professional. The underlying reason for the increased tinnitus could be an infection, compacted wax, or other issues that can be resolved with relative ease.

Some Loss in the Ability to Hear

While you can hear, it does seem like it’s more difficult in some situations. You may find yourself turning up the volume while watching television. Distinguishing voices during a group conversation may be more difficult than in the past. As with the ringing in the ears, what you’re experiencing may not be a permanent hearing loss.

The only way to know for sure is to see an ENT specialist. It won’t take long to determine if there are treatable factors that have led to this decrease in hearing acuity. If so, your hearing may be back to normal in a short amount of time.

Ongoing Sinus Congestion and Discomfort

You may not associate nasal congestion and the resulting pain with the ears, but the fact is that it could be the reason why your hearing seems to be going. Inflammation, infections, and other issues with the nose and throat may be the root cause of any hearing loss. If so, you can bet that an ear doctor Rockville MD will have some ideas of what to do.

For example, you may have an infection that has led to swelling. Treating that infection gets rid of the inflammation and allows you to breathe easier. At the same time, it alleviates pressure on the ears and allows your hearing to return to normal.

Bouts of Vertigo

Perhaps you haven’t noticed any change in your hearing and there’s no sinus congestion. What you have noticed is a change in your balance. Every now and then, you seem to lose it for a couple of seconds. This may happen when you stand up or even while you’re walking. The fact is that it could have something to do with your ears.

The issue is that something is impacting the inner ear and leading to the balance. Even if there are no other symptoms, an ear exam may identify the problem. Once it’s corrected, your balance issues will disappear.

Keep in mind that ear health is just as important as any proper care for the rest of the body. An issue with the ears doesn’t have to involve a loss of hearing ability; it may manifest in other ways. If you’re experiencing any of the issues mentioned here, schedule an appointment today. There may be a solution that will correct the problem in a matter of days.