I decided to become an otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat specialist) in medical school when I became familiar with the wonderful and challenging breadth and scope of this surgical subspecialty. On a personal level, I already held many interests in common with this field. As a musician, singer, and guitarist I had a well developed, ear, voice, and manual dexterity. I also found the wide variety of medical situations stimulating and challenging.
They range from the emergency airway management or nasal hemorrhage to the more chronic medical problems like hearing loss, breathing problems, headaches, or facial skin lesions. The E.N.T. solutions are also quite varied and draw from many medical and surgical fields. For example, a nasal breathing problem with sinus disease may require treating infectious disease, calming an overactive immune system (allergy diagnosis and treatments), correcting an underactive thyroid problem (hypothyroidism), and a variety of surgical techniques which include, microscopic ear surgery, and nasal - septal and endoscopic sinus surgery. Related airway problems include snoring and obstructive sleep apnea which may require palatopharyngoplasty with removal of tonsils and adenoids in addition to shortening the palate and correcting any nasal airway obstruction. Facial trauma may require facial cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. I also enjoy the wide range of ages that I see - everything from pediatrics to geriatrics.Ear problems include, hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo, dizziness, dermatitis, cerumen impaction, and prominauris (lop-ear deformity).
Nasal problems include airway obstruction, nasal deformity, loss of smell; and throat problems include chronic laryngopharyngitis with throat clearing, coughing, hoarseness and swallowing difficulties. Chronic Sinusitis, with or without nasal polyps and a deviated nasal septum may require endoscopic sinus surgery. This is a safe and effective treatment especially when underlying immunologic problems like allergy and autoimmune diseases are controlled.
Some problems have multiple causes and require multiple treatments. For example, chronic laryngopharyngitis may require treating allergic and infectious causes as well as treating acid reflux problems. Tinnitus treatment may require treating congestive middle ear problems and/or inner ear circulatory and metabolic problems (vasodilation therapy with intravenous niacin, niacinamide, and thiamine).
Hearing problems can be corrected medically, surgically, or with the use of hearing aids. At the Nyack Hearing Center the latest advances in hearing aid technology are made available to fit all different kinds of hearing problems. Pam Greenspan, PhD. has a doctorate in audiology and years of experience and can select just the right hearing aid for a particular hearing loss. Call The Nyack Hearing Center at 845‑358‑1700 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Levine or Dr. Greenspan..
Only a complete history and physical exam with laboratory workup when indicated, which may include audiologic, endoscopic, allergic, and or radiologic testing will determine which diagnosis and treatment is best for you.
For more information or to make an appointment call 845-358-1700.
You can visit the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery at www.entnet.org for related information.
