Secretory otitis media and rhinogenic hearing loss are conditions affecting the middle ear, often linked to dysfunction of the Eustachian tube or to inflammatory disorders of the nose and nasopharynx. They present with symptoms such as ear pain, a feeling of ear fullness, and reduced hearing. If not treated properly, these conditions may recur over time, compromising quality of life.
At the Terme di Torre Canne, we offer natural and targeted treatments that help improve middle ear ventilation, reduce inflammation, and prevent relapses, thus supporting the restoration of auditory function.
Common Symptoms
- Ear pain: may be intermittent or continuous, often worsened by changes in pressure, coughing, or applying pressure to the area.
- Feeling of ear fullness: the perception that the ear is “blocked,” often due to fluid or mucus build-up in the middle ear.
- Hearing loss: reversible hearing impairment, especially in catarrhal forms, which improves as Eustachian tube function is restored or retained fluid is eliminated.
Recommended Treatments
At the Terme di Torre Canne, treatments for secretory otitis media and rhinogenic hearing loss include:
- Tympanic tube insufflations via tubal catheterization: in cases where the Eustachian tube does not open normally, a catheter is introduced through the nose up to the tube to allow airflow, clearing the canal and improving middle ear ventilation.
- Crenotherapeutic Politzer method (for children): a less invasive method involving the introduction of thermal gas into the nostrils through a small olive-shaped nozzle, promoting tube opening and drainage.
Benefits of Thermal Treatments
The thermal therapies at the Terme di Torre Canne provide not only immediate relief but also medium- and long-term benefits:
- Miglioramento della ventilazione dell’orecchio medio, che riduce la sensazione di ovattamento auricolare.
- Reduction of inflammation of nasal, pharyngeal, and tubal mucous membranes, with prevention of recurrence.
- Restoration of auditory function: hearing improvements are possible when favorable conditions of pressure and absence of fluid in the middle ear are reestablished.
An Integrated Approach to Thermal Care
At the Terme di Torre Canne, we do not limit ourselves to a single treatment: our approach is comprehensive and tailored to each individual. It includes:
- ENT specialist consultations to establish the most appropriate diagnosis and therapy (tubal catheterization, Politzer method, etc.)
- The use of inhalation therapies, micronized showers, and nasal irrigations, which help keep the respiratory tract clear and reduce conditions that favor the disorder.
Treatments Covered by the National Health Service
At the Torre Canne Thermal Baths, it is possible to access a course of treatment under agreement with the National Health Service for rhinogenous deafness and secretory otitis.
- A prescription from your general practitioner is required, indicating the diagnosis and type of treatment.
- Treatments include tubo-tympanic insufflations or Politzer crenotherapy, in combination with inhalation treatments.
