This growth is a benign tumor that forms on the vestibulocochlear nerve. This nerve leads from the inner ear to the brain. Acoustic neuromas usually grow slowly and do not spread. However, they can eventually grow so large that they press against surrounding structures, including the brain and other nerves.

This condition is an infection of the adenoids, lumps of spongy lymphoid tissue at the very back of the nose that are positioned behind and above the uvula. Chronic or recurrent infections can cause the adenoids to swell and enlarge, blocking the airway.

You have an allergy when your body believes that something harmless, such as peanuts or pollen, can hurt you. Your immune system overreacts. This can cause uncomfortable or even dangerous symptoms.

If you have anosmia, you have lost some or all of your sense of smell. This makes it hard for you to enjoy the taste of foods. There are several causes of anosmia.

Your sense of balance is something you probably don't think about very often. That's because, for most of us, it just works. Balance keeps us stable. It allows us to stand up and walk around without falling over. But how do we do that? Let's learn about this complex system.

An ear infection is a buildup of germs behind the eardrum, in the part of the ear called the "middle ear." For some infants and young children, ear infections are a continuing problem. They can come back again and again. We call these "chronic" ear infections.

This is an inflammation of the part of your throat that holds your vocal cords. It's called the "larynx." Laryngitis can make you sound hoarse, and your voice may be very weak. Your laryngitis is said to be "chronic" if it lasts longer than three weeks.

This condition is a recurring and persistent infection or inflammation of the throat and tonsils. Chronic pharyngitis can cause pain, discomfort and alteration of the voice.

This common condition is a misalignment of the nasal septum (the thin wall of bone and cartilage that divides the nostrils). Ideally, the septum is straight and positioned exactly in the center of the nose. However, in many cases it is positioned slightly off center and may also be crooked or misshapen.

We all have ear wax. It's natural and healthy. But what is it, exactly? Why do we have it, and what does ear wax do for our ears? Let's take a moment to learn about it.

This condition is a swelling of the thyroid gland, a gland in the neck that produces hormones to regulate metabolism, heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature. Goiters occur most commonly in women over the age of 40. A goiter is not the same as thyroid cancer.

This is an allergic reaction to pollen. Pollen is a fine powder that comes from trees, grass and weeds. Different people are allergic to different types of pollen, and they react to it in different ways. Hay fever can be a real nuisance.

This is a loss over time of your ability to hear clearly. For most people, hearing loss is a natural part of growing older. It can cause problems with your ability to communicate with others. It can be frustrating for you and for those around you.

This is a form of hearing loss that can develop quickly and spontaneously. You may wake up and find that you have lost hearing in one ear, and you may not know why. This can be a frightening and frustrating experience.

This disease is a cancer of the hypopharynx, the lower portion of the throat where the throat meets the trachea and esophagus. If left untreated, these cancerous cells can spread to other parts of the body. This type of cancer is relatively uncommon, and affects more men than women.

This condition is a buildup of fluid pressure deep inside the ear. Middle ear inflammation, common in infants and young children, can result in intense pain.

This is a throat irritation that happens when stomach acid travels up into your throat. Normally, this acid is kept in your stomach by a muscle called the "lower esophageal sphincter." But, if this muscle doesn't work properly, it lets acid escape and go up your esophagus to your throat. We call this "reflux."

This is nausea triggered by a sense of movement. It happens in cars, trains, boats or airplanes. It can happen on rollercoasters and other rides, and when you use virtual reality devices. And some people are more likely to get motion sickness than others.

This is a small, soft growth in your nose or sinus cavity. You may have many polyps, and they can be small or large. They are not cancerous.

This is a cancer that forms in a part of your oral cavity. That includes your lips, tongue, mouth and throat. Oral cancers can be serious and hard to treat. They can spread through your lymphatic system to other parts of your body.

This disease is a cancer of the oropharynx, the middle part of the throat. The oropharynx includes the back portion of the tongue, the soft palate, the side and back walls of the throat, and the tonsils. If left untreated, these cancerous cells can spread to other parts of the body.

This condition is an opening in the tympanic membrane, commonly called the eardrum. In some cases, a hole in the eardrum can lead to reduction or loss of hearing.

This rare form of cancer begins in the tissue of the salivary glands. The salivary glands produce saliva, which aids in chewing, swallowing and digestion. Salivary gland cancer can form in any of the salivary glands.

This condition is an inflammation and swelling of your sinuses. These are hollow, air-filled cavities in your skull. They open into your nasal passages. Sinusitis can be a painful condition. For some people, it can become a chronic problem.

This is a bacterial infection of your throat. It can pass easily from person to person. It is most common in children, but adults can also contract this infection.

Your nose gets stuffy when blood vessels in the inner lining of your nose become inflamed. You may have a runny nose, too, which makes breathing even harder. For most people, a stuffy nose isn't a serious problem. But it can be a nuisance.

Swallowing is a complex process. It begins in your throat, and it ends as food or liquid is pushed into your stomach. A problem at any step along the way can make swallowing hard for you.

This is an inflammation, irritation or infection of your ear. It can affect the ear canal and the outer part of your ear. Swimmer's ear is most common in teens and young adults. It can be a short-term problem, or something that keeps coming back.

This is an abnormal growth of cells in your thyroid, a butterfly-shaped gland. Your thyroid is located in the base of your neck. The hormones it produces help regulate your metabolism, heart rate, blood pressure and body temperature.

If you hear an annoying buzzing or ringing sound in one or both ears, you have tinnitus. It can bother you a lot. Tinnitus is a problem with your auditory system. That's the system that lets you hear. The problem may be in the ear. It may be in the nerve that connects your ear to your brain. Or, it may be in the part of your brain that makes sense of sound signals. Usually, tinnitus is not a sign that you have a serious issue.

When you use tobacco, you put your health – and your mouth's health – at risk. Tobacco products damage your teeth, gums and the tissues of your mouth and throat. Let's learn about the dangers of tobacco.

This condition, which is most common in people who have chronic tonsil infections, is a hardened buildup of debris in the pockets of the tonsils. Tonsil stones are not usually harmful. People who have them are often not aware of them.

This condition is an infection of the tonsils (the large lymph glands at the back of the throat). Tonsils normally help protect against infection, but they can become overwhelmed by viruses or bacteria. Tonsillitis occurs most often in children and rarely in adults.

This chronic condition is caused by a misfiring of the trigeminal nerve. An attack causes brief episodes of extreme, shooting pain.

If you feel like you're spinning for no reason, you have vertigo. This dizziness can be a nuisance, but it's usually not a sign of anything serious. It can interrupt your day. And it can put you at risk for falling.

This condition occurs as a result of an interruption of nerve impulses to the larynx. Vocal cord paralysis can affect speech, allow food and liquids to enter the lungs, and create difficulty in breathing.

This is a growth on one of your vocal cords (also known as the "vocal folds"). The cords are muscular bands in your throat that vibrate to produce sound. A polyp may look like a swollen bump or a blister, or even a thin, long growth. It can change the way your voice sounds.