Areas of Expertise include:
Hearing Disorders
Conductive and sensorineural hearing losses are two types of hearing disorders which can be identified with hearing tests. Both types of hearing losses are treatable. Conductive hearing loss can be treated with surgical intervention, a standard hearing aid or a bone anchored hearing aid (BAHA.) Nerve deafness can now be treated with standard hearing aids, implantable hearing aids or, if severe, with cochlear implantation.
Facial Nerve Disorders
The Ear and Balance Institute offers treatment for facial nerve dysfunction, including Bell’s palsy and traumatic facial nerve paralysis. The various treatment programs, including medications, surgery and reanimation procedures have been used to improve overall facial function.
Acoustic Tumor Surgery
Tumors of the hearing and balance nerves arising between the inner ear and the brainstem have been extensively studied at The Ear and Balance Institute. Modern diagnostic testing, such as auditory brainstem evoked response and MRI testing, are incorporated for an accurate diagnosis. Micro-surgical removal of these tumors has resulted in excellent quality of life with minimal side effects. Intra-operative facial nerve monitoring is routinely employed to lessen the incidence of facial nerve weakness sometimes associated with these tumors.
Neurotologic Skull Base Surgery
Tumors arising at the base of the skull, including glomus jugulare tumors, meningiomas and various neuromas of the cranial nerves, are successfully treated by Dr. Gianoli. The use of sophisticated monitoring techniques during surgery markedly increase the ability to preserve function in nerves associated with these tumors.
Pediatric Otology
Pediatric ear problems, including congenital and anatomical deformities of the ear and ear canal, and progressive hearing losses, are some of the many childhood otologic disorders that are treated at The Ear and Balance Institute.
Cochlear Implant Surgery
In patients who have severe to profound sensorineural (inner ear) hearing losses, a cochlear implant offers a chance at hearing restoration. The physician and audiologist work closely with severely hearing impaired patients throughout the entire implant process. This includes candidacy evaluation, surgical implantation of the device and extensive rehabilitation in order to achieve maximum cochlear implant success.
Audiology
The Ear and Balance Institute provides comprehensive audiologic services including audiometric testing, immittance testing and otoacoustic emission testing. Clinical electrophysiologic tests are performed on site including auditory brainstem evoked response testing to aid in identification of acoustic tumors, electrocochleography to aid in the diagnosis of inner ear dysfunction, vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (for sup. semicircular canal dehiscence) and electroneuronography to aid in the diagnosis of facial nerve weakness.
Hearing Aids and Ear Protection
Hearing Aids – Quality hearing is our goal. We specialize in state-of-the-art hearing aids, including implantable, digital and traditional aids. Devices equipped with the most sophisticated technology to enhance hearing performance in noise are among the most popular. Other technology is available to provide real solutions for patients with single sided hearing loss and deafness.
Custom Hearing Protection and Swim Molds – Prolonged exposure to even modest noise can cause permanent hearing damage. For example, use of lawn equipment, electrical tools and even some vacuum cleaners can affect your hearing. Because your ears are unique, only custom-molded earplugs provide the ultimate in light weight, comfort, fit and noise reduction. Filtered custom molds are available to provide ultimate hearing protection while enabling communication during activities such as working, hunting or playing music.
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