Earache is most common in children up until the first year of school. Causes include infection, a build-up of wax or fluid, or damage to the inside of the ear. Most earaches pass in two to three days.

Earwax is an oily substance produced by glands in the ear canal. It is important for protecting the ear canal. It is usually harmless, however if it causes problems due to an excessive build-up, it can easily be treated.

Hay fever is an allergic reaction usually triggered by pollen from grasses, trees and weeds during spring and summer. It can also be due to other airborne particles, such as mould, dust mites or animal hair. Treatment options are available to help manage symptoms.

Hearing loss is the partial or complete loss of hearing in either one or both ears. This can occur suddenly in some cases, but typically it tends to develop gradually. Noise exposure accumulates over a lifetime, such that repeated exposure to loud noises increases the level of hearing loss experi...

The term laryngitis describes inflammation of the larynx, also called the voice box. The larynx sits at the back of the throat where it helps us to speak, breathe and swallow. When the vocal cords inside the larynx become inflamed or irritated – usually due to a viral infection – this can cause l...

Meniere's disease is a condition of the inner ear that causes attacks of dizziness, loss of balance, ringing and hearing loss. It's thought that a build-up of fluid in the inner ear causes the pressure to rise, disrupting the hearing and balance signals from the inner ear to the brain.

A middle ear infection, also known as acute otitis media, occurs when fluid trapped behind the eardrum becomes infected with a virus or bacteria, causing an earache, fever, temporary hearing loss and unwellness. In young children symptoms can also include loss of balance, reduced hunger, disrupte...

Mouth cancer, or oral cancer, is the name for cancers that arise in the tissues of the mouth, including the lips and the tongue. Abnormal cells can form a tumour (which can appear as a lump or ulcer) in the mouth and spread throughout the body.

Hearing screening is a non-invasive tool used to identify hearing impairment in newborn babies and young children. It is particularly difficult to detect hearing impairment is the first two months of life without screening programs. Identifying hearing impairment early means that help for your ch...

Blood vessels within the lining of the nose are fragile and can easily be made to bleed. Nosebleeds are common, with about 60% of people experiencing at least one nosebleed in their lifetime. Most of the time, however, the bleeding tends to only last a little while and is usually easy to control...

An outer ear infection, or otitis externa, is inflammation and swelling of the skin that lines the ear canal between the opening of the ear and the eardrum. It is characterised by pain and itching in the ear, temporary hearing loss and a discharge of smelly yellow-green pus.

Rhinoplasty is surgery to reshape or repair your nose. It generally known as a cosmetic procedure, but is also performed to repair a broken nose, or correct structural abnormalities that are causing breathing difficulties.

Sinusitis refers to inflammation and swelling of the mucus layer that lines the sinuses. Common symptoms include pain in the face, a blocked or runny nose, fever and headache. In most cases, symptoms develop quickly within a day or two and then clear after about 10 days.

Throat cancer is the name for cancers that arise in the tissues of the throat. The throat (the pharynx) connects the back of the nose and mouth to the windpipe and the oesophagus (the tube that leads to the stomach).

Tonsillitis is inflammation of the tonsils caused by infection with a virus or bacteria. The tonsils are two small glands, located at the back of the throat. They help fight infections and stop viruses and bacteria from spreading throughout the body.

Tinnitus is often thought of as a ringing in the ears, but it describes any abnormal noise that seems to be coming from inside the ears or head. In addition to ringing noises, it may involve humming, whistling, buzzing, hissing or roaring sounds.
Tinnitus is a symptom of another medical issue, ra...

Vertigo is a term used to describe feelings of spinning, unsteadiness or dizziness in the head. It is most often caused by a problem with the inner ear, which controls balance. Treatment can include simple procedures, medication and balance exercises.