Michigan Ear Institute specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of numerous conditions affecting the ear and related structures. Continuous research involving many aspects of otology, neurotology and skull base surgery is ongoing at the Institute.

Some of our specialty centers include:

Hearing Disorders - Conductive and sensorineural hearing losses are two types of hearing disorders which can be identified with hearing tests. Both of these types of hearing losses are treatable. Conductive hearing loss can be treated with either surgical intervention or a hearing aid. Nerve deafness can now be treated with hearing aids or if severe with cochlear implantation. Occasionally medicine can be used to improve both nerve and conductive hearing losses depending on their severity.

Dizziness and Balance - The dizziness and balance center at the Michigan Ear Institute has been recognized internationally as an outstanding clinical program for the diagnosis and treatment of balance disorders. After diagnosing the balance problem various treatment modalities including medical treatment, surgery and vestibular rehabilitation can improve overall balance function. The most common balance disorders which we see at the Michigan Ear Institute include Meniere’s’s disease, benign positional vertigo, vestibular neuritis and post traumatic dizziness.

Facial Nerve Disorders - Michigan Ear Institute has been at the forefront in developing treatment modalities 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. State of the art diagnostic testing has been able to predict the outcome of a patients facial nerve weakness.

Acoustic Tumor Surgery - Tumors of the hearing and balance nerves arising between the inner ear and the brainstem have been extensively studied at the Michigan Ear Institute. Modern diagnostic testing including auditory brainstem evoked response and MRI testing are currently in use. Surgical removal of these tumors has resulted in excellent quality of life with minimal side effects. Intra operative facial nerve monitoring has markedly lessened the incidence of facial nerve weakness generally associated with these tumors.

Neurotologic Skull Base Surgery - Tumors arising at the base of skull including glomus jugulare tumors, meningiomas and various neuromas of the cranial nerves are now being successfully treated by a combined neurosurgical and neurotologic approach. With the use of sophisticated monitoring techniques during surgery, the ability to spare nerves associated with these tumors has been markedly increased.

Pediatric Otology - Pediatric ear problems including recurrent ear infections, congenital and anatomical deformities of the ear and ear canal and progressive neural hearing losses are some of the many childhood otologic disorders that are treated at the Michigan Ear Institute.

Cochlear Implant Surgery - In patients who have severe to profound nerve hearing losses, a cochlear implant or bionic ear offer a chance at hearing restoration. The cochlear implant team consisting of physicians and audiologists work closely with severely hearing impaired patients throughout the entire implant process. This includes surgical implantation of the implant and extensive rehabilitation in order to regain hearing function.

Audiology - The Michigan Ear Institute’s audiology staff possesses an outstanding clinical resume as well as having much experience in research. Areas of expertise include audiometric testing, auditory brainstem evoked response testing, advanced vestibular testing including electronystagmography, rotary chair testing and posturography testing. In addition various clinical electrophysiologic tests are done on site including electrocochleography to help test for Meniere's disease and electroneuronography to aid in the diagnosis of facial nerve weakness.

Now available - Dial a Hearing Test, a free phone-based service. Call 248-865-4192.

Hearing Aid Center - The Michigan Ear Institute Hearing Aid Center specializes in state-of-the-art hearing aid devices including both analog and digital hearing aids. Custom fitting and modern diagnostic testing insure a good match between the hearing impaired patient and their hearing aid. In addition to hearing aids tinnitus maskers and tinnitus tapes and CD’s are also made available.

If any further information is desired concerning one of the various programs at the Michigan Ear Institute please contact us at (248) 865-4444.