Skip to main content

Featured post

Child Dizziness & Balance Problems | ENT Guide London & Essex

  Why Is My Child Dizzy or Losing Their Balance? A Parent’s Guide to Balance Problems in Children When a child says they feel dizzy, parents often worry immediately. Some children describe the room spinning. Others say they feel wobbly, floaty, sick, light-headed or as if the floor is moving. Younger children may not use the word “dizzy” at all. Instead, parents may notice clumsiness, frequent falls, holding onto walls, refusing playground equipment or seeming unusually unsteady. Dizziness in children can have many causes. Some are linked to the ear and balance system. Others relate to migraine, dehydration, fainting tendency, vision, medication, anxiety, infection, neurological conditions or heart rhythm problems. Mr Gaurav Kumar, Consultant ENT Surgeon, assesses children with ear, hearing and balance concerns from London, East London, Brentwood, Romford, Ilford, Redbridge, Chelmsford and wider Essex. This guide explains what dizziness may mean, when the ear may be involved, a...

Intratympanic Injections

 



Who will need intratympanic injections?

ENT specialists offer intratympanic injections as a part of treatment for Menier's disease, sudden hearing loss, autoimmune hearing loss or before a skull base inner ear surgery.



What does intratympanic injection mean?

In simple terms, it means that an ENT specialist is placing a medication in the middle ear with the help of a fine needle.


What happens on the day of the intratympanic injection procedure?

Before you leave for your appointment, have a painkiller medication. It would be best if you asked your family or a friend to drive you to the appointment. The doctor will go through the consent process and numb the ear canal with spray or cream when you arrive. Numbing medication is left in the ear canal for 30 to 45 minutes. Once the ear is numb, the cream and spray are cleaned, and a small needle is passed through the eardrum to inject medication in the middle ear space. The doctor will ask you to lie flat for 45min to one hour, allowing the medication to be absorbed into the inner ear.


What are the complications of intratympanic injections?


  • Ear pain is due to the buffer used in the steroid medication; it can sting when injected. It should only last for few minutes. It is advisable to have some painkillers before coming to your appointment.


  • Hearing loss: When the medication is injected into the middle ear, it can lead to muffled hearing for few days. Using gentamicin injections for Ménière's disease or skull base surgery can affect your hearing.


  • Hole in the eardrum: A hole in the drum made by a fine needle heals within few days. In a rare instance, it can lead to permanent perforation, which may need surgical repair.


  • Dizziness: Mild imbalance is usual after an injection. If you have injections before skull base surgery, this imbalance helps in post-op rehabilitation after a skull base surgery.


  • Ear infection and bleeding: these complications are exceedingly rare. While you have your treatment, you should avoid water getting into your ear by using a cotton ball with vaseline and an ear shower cap if you need to wash your hair.


How does an intra-tympanic steroid injection work?

The exact mechanism of action is not known. The medication injected into the middle ear helps in decreasing inner ear inflammation. There is strong evidence to suggest that intratympanic injections tend to work better in Meniere's patients in some cases.


Why did my Menière's disease not respond to intratympanic injections?

  • The patient has poorly defined Meniere's symptoms, associated vestibular migraine or bilateral Meniere's
  • The medication did not stay in the middle ear for a long time due to a wide eustachian tube and adhesions in it.
  • Vertigo due to a non-ear condition needing a review of diagnosis



 
Consultant ENT surgeon


Helping patients with specialist expertise and kindness



entsurgeonclinic@gmail.com

07494914140

Disclaimer: 
For general information only, 
always seek medical advice from your treating consultant



steroid shot in ear, steroid injection in ear side effects, steroid shot for ear infection, steroid shot for ear fluid, intratympanic dexamethasone ear injection side effects,
steroid injection in ear painful, dexamethasone injection in ear, injected tympanic membrane, injected ear drum, can steroids cause vertigo, steroids for ears


Popular Post

LAX VOX

  LAX VOX  is a vocal therapy technique that can help improve voice quality, relaxation, and overall vocal health. It involves using a unique tube to create  bubbling sounds  while phonating.  Here are the steps for practising LAX VOX: Relax and Focus on Posture and Breathing : Maintain a good posture with a long spine. Relax your face, neck, upper back, and chest muscles, allowing them to release toward gravity. Preparing for Bubbling with Phonation : Place a  silicone tube  (about 35 cm long and 9-12 mm in diameter) between or in front of your incisor teeth and above your tongue. Keep your tongue relaxed (imagine it as a piece of steak) and slightly touch the tube. Hold the water-filled bottle near your body to avoid using shoulder muscles. Inhale through your nose as if you’re yawning with your mouth closed. Prepare for phonation during exhalation, focusing on abdominal and lower back muscles. Finding the Target Voice : Create bubbling sounds with y...
Read more

Retracted Ear Drum

  What Is a Retracted Eardrum? A retracted eardrum, also known as tympanic membrane retraction, is a condition where the eardrum (tympanic membrane) is pulled inward or drawn backwards from its normal position. The eardrum is a thin, delicate membrane that separates the outer ear from the middle ear. It plays a crucial role in transmitting sound vibrations from the outer ear to the middle ear, where the auditory ossicles (small bones) are located.   Under normal circumstances, the eardrum is slightly concave and positioned at an angle that allows it to respond to changes in air pressure. The Eustachian tube, a tube connecting the middle ear to the back of the throat, helps equalize pressure between the middle ear and the outside environment.   However, in cases of a retracted eardrum, the Eustachian tube might not function correctly or become blocked, leading to an imbalance in pressure. When negative pressure builds up in the middle ear, it causes the eardrum t...
Read more

Private Pediatric Coblation Tonsillectomy London & Essex | Mr Gaurav Kumar

Private Pediatric Coblation Tonsillectomy London & Essex | Mr Gaurav Kumar Coblation Tonsillectomy for Children: A Gentler, Less Painful Option in London and Essex When a child suffers from chronically enlarged tonsils that disrupt their breathing at night, or recurrent bouts of tonsillitis that cause high fevers and missed school days, surgical removal is often the most effective long-term solution. However, the prospect of a traditional tonsillectomy can make many parents incredibly anxious, primarily due to concerns over post-operative throat pain and a lengthy recovery period. Fortunately, modern surgical advancements have introduced a technique designed specifically to address these concerns: Coblation Tonsillectomy . If you are looking into private treatment options for your child outside of overstretched local NHS waiting lists, understanding how this gentle technology works can help you make an informed choice. This guide breaks down the benefits of coblation and how famil...
Read more

After your Epley manoeuvre — patient information leaflet

  What this leaflet tells you This leaflet explains what to expect after the Epley (canalith repositioning) manoeuvre for posterior-canal BPPV, what you should and shouldn’t do, and when to seek help.   1. Quick summary — what the Epley did The manoeuvre moves tiny particles (otoconia) out of the balance canal of your inner ear and back into a place where they don’t cause spinning (vertigo). Most people feel much better after one or a few treatments. However BPPV can come back (recurrence is common).   2. How you may feel immediately afterwards You may feel dizzy or off-balance for a few minutes to a few hours; nausea is possible.   Some people feel better straightaway; others get gradual improvement over days.   Rarely ,you may have brief recurrences of vertigo — this does not always mean the manoeuvre failed.   3. Activity and posture — what the evidence says Good news: High-quality studies and recent guidelines show that strict he...
Read more

Adult Tonsillectomy Recovery: Day-by-Day Guide After Tonsil Surgery

  Adult Tonsillectomy Recovery: What to Expect Day by Day Adult tonsillectomy can significantly improve quality of life for people struggling with recurrent tonsillitis, chronic sore throats or repeated throat infections. However, recovery after adult tonsil surgery is often more uncomfortable than many patients expect. Understanding the normal stages of recovery can help reduce anxiety and allow patients to prepare properly before surgery. This guide explains what adults commonly experience after tonsillectomy, how to support recovery safely, and when to seek urgent medical advice. Why is adult tonsillectomy recovery difficult? The tonsils sit in an area that moves constantly during swallowing, eating and speaking. After surgery, the throat heals gradually over approximately two weeks. Adults generally experience: Significant throat pain Pain when swallowing Ear pain (referred pain from the throat) Tiredness and reduced energy Disturbed sleep Temporary bad brea...
Read more

Earbuds vs Over-Ears: Which One Is Silently Damaging Your Hearing?

Headphones are no longer an occasional accessory—they’re part of daily life. From early-morning podcasts to late-night playlists, our ears are spending more time under acoustic load than ever before. But a question keeps coming up in clinics, classrooms, and conversations around ear health: Are earbuds worse for your hearing than over-ear headphones? Let’s move beyond opinion and aesthetics. By looking at sound pressure levels , hygiene , and long-term listening behaviour , we can reach a clear, evidence-informed conclusion. 1. Sound Pressure Levels: Distance Matters More Than You Think The single most important factor in headphone-related hearing risk is the amount of sound energy that  reaches the inner ear . Earbuds (In-Ear Headphones) Sit millimetres from the eardrum Deliver sound directly into the ear canal Require lower absolute power , but often result in higher sound pressure at the cochlea Users tend to increase volume in noisy environments (commuting, g...
Read more

Swallowing Difficulty (Dysphagia): Causes, Warning Signs and When to See an ENT Specialist

  Swallowing Difficulty (Dysphagia): What Causes It and When Should You Be Concerned? Most people swallow hundreds of times every day without noticing. When swallowing becomes uncomfortable, difficult or feels abnormal, it can quickly affect eating, drinking and quality of life. Some patients describe food “sticking” in the throat, while others notice coughing during meals, discomfort swallowing tablets or a persistent sensation of tightness in the throat. The medical term for swallowing difficulty is dysphagia . Swallowing problems can range from mild irritation to more significant conditions requiring specialist investigation. This article explains common causes of dysphagia, symptoms to look out for and when to seek ENT assessment. What is dysphagia? Dysphagia means difficulty swallowing. It may involve problems with: Swallowing solids Swallowing liquids Initiating a swallow Sensation of food sticking Pain during swallowing Coughing or choking while eating Symptoms ...
Read more

Flying with Eustachian Tube Dysfunction | London & Essex ENT

  Dread the Descent? Tips for Flying with Eustachian Tube Dysfunction and Blocked Ears in East London, Brentwood and Essex For most holidaymakers or business travellers across East London, Brentwood and Essex, boarding a flight is the start of an exciting journey. But if you suffer from Eustachian Tube Dysfunction (ETD) , looking at a plane ticket can fill you with pure dread. The thought of that final 30-minute descent—waiting for a sharp, agonizing pop or a feeling of absolute deafness that lasts for days after landing—is enough to make anyone anxious. You might find yourself frantically chewing gum, swallowing hard, or panicking as you sit on the tarmac, worrying about permanent damage to your hearing. If you are tired of your ears feeling completely blocked every time you travel, it is not something you simply have to endure. Understanding how your ears react to cabin pressure, paired with a few specialist strategies, can completely transform your next journey. Anatomy and Path...
Read more

Glue Ear in Children: A Parent’s Guide to Hearing, Grommets and Adenoids in London & Essex

  Glue Ear in Children: A Parent’s Guide to Hearing, Grommets and Adenoids in London & Essex If your child keeps saying “what?”, turns the television up loudly, seems distracted at school, has delayed speech, or appears to ignore you, it may not be behaviour. One common reason is glue ear , a condition where fluid builds up behind the eardrum and causes temporary hearing loss. For parents in London, East London, Brentwood, Romford, Redbridge, Ilford, Woodford, Chelmsford and wider Essex, glue ear is one of the most common reasons for seeking paediatric ENT advice. Mr Gaurav Kumar, Consultant ENT Surgeon, sees children with hearing problems, recurrent ear infections, blocked noses, enlarged adenoids, snoring and suspected glue ear. This guide explains what glue ear is, how parents may spot it, when to seek help, and when treatments such as hearing support, grommets or adenoid surgery may be considered.   What Is Glue Ear? Glue ear is also called otitis media with effusion ...
Read more

Object Stuck in Child’s Nose or Ear | ENT Advice London & Essex

  Child Put Something in Their Nose or Ear: A Parent’s Guide for London & Essex It can happen in seconds. A toddler is playing with beads, a small toy, a pea, a piece of tissue, a rubber, a seed, a button battery or a magnet. Suddenly, they say something feels funny — or you notice a blocked nostril, ear discomfort, crying, discharge or a bad smell. For many parents, the first instinct is to try to pull it out. That is understandable, but it can sometimes make things worse. If your child has something stuck firmly in their nose or ear, it is usually safer not to poke around at home. Attempts with tweezers, cotton buds, hair clips or fingers may push the object deeper, cause bleeding, damage the ear canal or make removal more difficult. Mr Gaurav Kumar, Consultant ENT Surgeon, assesses children with ear, nose and throat concerns from London, East London, Brentwood, Romford, Ilford, Redbridge, Chelmsford and wider Essex. This guide explains what parents should do, what to avoid,...
Read more