Device for Eustachian Tube Dysfunction??? (The EarPopper)

Well, recently heard about a device called the EarPopper that can be used by both children and adults. It basically is a device that pops your ear for you, potentially helpful in kids with persistent middle ear fluid and who don't quite understand how to auto-insufflate their ears. It is also helpful even in adults who suffer from eustachian tube dysfunction. In any case, we'll see how effective this device is... Of note, they sell these on Amazon.com...

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News Reports on ENT Topics

We have added a webpage that contains a running news feed from Medical News Today on ENT topics specifically. These news reports are gleaned from throughout the world. Check it out here!

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New Audio & Video of Muscle Tension Aphonia After Speech Therapy Posted

Last week, we posted an audio & video sample of a patient who had muscle tension aphonia. Today, we have posted audio & video of the same patient (Example #4) after undergoing self-directed speech therapy. What a difference one week makes!!!

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New Audio & Video of Bacterial Laryngitis Posted!

A new stroboscopic video of a patient with bacterial laryngitis has been posted. After hundreds and hundreds of patients I've evaluated for hoarseness, I've finally found one that is a bacterial laryngitis. In my experience, this type of laryngitis is quite uncommon.

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Potential New Nasal Spray for Patients Suffering from Chronic Sinusitis

This blog is an OPINION and not medical advice. If there are any questions, please see your physician.

Accentia Pharmaceuticals is in the process of testing a new nasal spray called SinuNase which contains the active ingredient Amphotericin B. Why is this medication of interest to an ENT? Well, it would be one potential treatment for patients with chronic rhinosinusitis in which airborne fungus is the underlying cause of persistent sinusitis in spite of adequate antibiotic and surgical treatment.

This medication is currently undergoing Phase III FDA approval.

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Device for Meniere's Disease and Eustachian Tube Dysfunction

This blog is an OPINION and not medical advice. See your doctor with any questions.

Enttex is an Australian medical company that has introduced 2 devices for patients with ear problems. The first is the N300 used for patients with trouble equalizing their ear with pressure changes (ie, airplane travel) and the other is the P100 used for patients with Meniere's Disease. Honestly, from an anatomic standpoint, the N300 may work when going from low atmospheric pressure to high atmospheric pressure (ie, when the plane is landing), but not in reverse. The P100 is similar in principle to the Meniett device, but hard to say why or how it would work. In any case, though the concept is interesting, I am reserving my opinion on whether these devices actually work until studies have come out proving their mettle. Also, patient feedback would be nice.

The N300 device is available for purchase thru Amazon.com!

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Potential New Device for Tinnitus Treatment

Fauquier ENT is now looking into a new device made by Neuromonics as a potential mode of treatment for patients suffering from tinnitus. Should it become available in our practice, we will make an announcement on this blog and on our website. For more info on this potential new mode of tinnitus treatment, please visit the manufacturer's website.

ADDENDUM: Given the cost for us to purchase and therefore the high (out-of-pocket) cost for patients to purchase (around $5000), we have decided not to offer this product at this time. At this time, University of Virginia is the only location where one can obtain this treatment.

Univ of Virgnia Contact Number:
434-924-2050

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New Children's Mucinex Available

Mucinex in the past was available only for adults. However, mucinex has now been made available for children as young as 2 years old. It is available over-the-counter and should be used to help break up thick secretions in the chest, throat, or nose. For more info, please visit the muxinex website here.

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New Section on Epistaxis (Nosebleeds) Available

A new section on how to control nosebleeds (also known as epistaxis) has been uploaded onto our website under the education section. Tis the season of nosebleeds with the colder and dryer weather.

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New Section on Halitosis (Bad Breath) Added

A new section on halitosis (bad breath) has been added to the education section.

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Products found to be helpful treating halitosis:

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Meniett Device Now Offered for Meniere's Disease Patients

Our office now participates in offering the Meniett Device as one potential treatment for patients with Meniere's Disease. If you are interested, please contact our office. Some insurance companies will pay for the device. Please call your insurance company to get cost estimates. Give them this HCPCS code E2120 and ICD9 code 386.00. More info can be found here.

The device apparently has been approved by the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery. Click here to read more.

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2 New Video Exams of Voice Disorders Posted!

2 new video exams of human voice disorders have been posted. The first video is muscle tension aphonia. The second video is an exam after posterior pharyngeal flap reconstruction was performed to correct a central velopharyngeal insufficiency.

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New Patient Survey

Starting Dec 4, 2006, all patients will be requested to fill out a patient survey on how they would like phone calls to our office to be handled. Options currently being considered include keeping the current system of always having a person answer the phone (but downsides of being put on hold, busy signal, delayed response to questions, etc), leaving a voice mail (impersonal), email, vs other. Another question is how good we are with returning phone calls.

If some combo of options desired, even a PBX telephone system with menu options may be considered. However, please let us know what you the patients desire!

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