FAQ

What do I need to bring to my appointment?

The consultation with Dr. Shervin Aminpour is a good place to understand your condition and to find answers to any queries that you may have.

When visiting our Los Angeles ENT doctor for a consultation, make sure you bring with your updated medical file. If you are currently on medication or are undergoing treatment, please bring the transcripts for the same.

This will help Dr. Aminpour create a treatment plan that is completely personalized for your requirements.

What are common causes of nasal obstruction?

Nasal obstructions can severely reduce the quality of your life. When your nasal passage is obstructed, it can lead to the onset of various conditions such as nasal congestion, allergies and sleep disorders. Immediate treatment can provide you immediate relief.

Some of the common causes of nasal obstruction are:

• Allergies
• Irritants like smoke, pollen and dust
• Cold, flu or pneumonia
• Sinus infections
• Side-effects of medication

Nasal obstruction can also occur due to physiological problems such as:

• Deviated septum
• Nasal polyps
• Swelling in the turbinate and adenoids
• Nasal tumors

After a thorough consultation, our ear, nose and throat doctor will give you a comprehensive evaluation of the cause of your nasal obstruction.

What is and causes Sinusitis?

Sinusitis is a nasal infection that is caused due to severe inflammation in the nasal cavity. Sometimes, when bacteria, virus or fungi enter our nasal cavity, they infect the paranasal sinuses, which are the nasal cavities responsible for the production of mucus.

When the paranasal sinuses become inflamed, the nasal cavity produces excessive amount of mucus and the nose gets blocked. There may also be nasal discharge, swelling of the nose and the face, a reduced sense of smell, nasal congestion and difficulty in breathing.

90% of all sinusitis cases are a result of infection by virus. One in ten cases is the result of a bacterial infection. Chemical pollutants and irritants like dust, pollen and smoke can also lead to infection.

Does Balloon Sinuplasty work?

Yes. Balloon sinuplasty is a specialized treatment that is designed to treat acute and chronic sinusitis. The treatment is an endoscopic procedure, which means it is minimally-invasive treatment that does not involve the cutting of the nasal tissues and bones.

The procedure takes only 20 minutes and patients can get back to their daily activities within 24-48 hours of the treatment. Post-treatment, you will notice a visible reduction in nasal congestion, facial swelling, headache, nasal pain and post-nasal dripping.

This treatment is ideal for patients who have acute rhinosinusitis or where medication isn’t offering the expected results.

Why do I need a hearing test?

Research shows that 2 out of every 1000 children in the United States are born deaf; and 15% of American adults report experiencing some form of hearing loss in their lifetime. A hearing test is a great way to identify whether you have an onset of hearing loss or not.

A hearing test is also a great option for multiple other reasons, such as:

• It takes less than an hour to administer
• It is absolutely painless
• It will help you identify current or potential ear-related medical conditions
• It can help you put-off conditions like dementia and treat weak motor reflexes and balance issues
• You can immediately get started on your treatment and have access to hearing aids

We administer hearing tests for people of all age groups at our Los Angeles clinic.

Are there treatments for ear infections?

Ear infections are extremely common in children. Immediate treatment can reduce pain, swelling and discomfort while putting a stop to more chronic illnesses and hearing loss.

The most commonly prescribed treatment is antibiotics. Dr. Aminpour will use an otoscope to examine the patient’s ear and will diagnose the type of ear infection. He will then recommend the ideal antibiotic and the dosage to be consumed. Pain relief medication such as Advil, Tylenol and Aspirin are also prescribed to reduce pain and inflammation in the ear.

In severe ear infections which result in accumulation of liquid in the ear, the ENT will conduct a procedure called myringotomy, which helps drain the infection out of the ear. This treatment is safe for children and adults alike.

What is obstructive sleep apnea?

Obstructive sleep apnea is a severe medical condition where the muscles in the throat obstruct the movement of air in the nasal passage. The throat muscles hinder breathing by suddenly stopping and restarting breathing repeatedly.

Some of the symptoms of sleep apnea are:

• Loud and prolonged snoring
• Choking and gasping during sleep
• Abrupt stopping of breathing during sleep
• Nighttime sweating
• High blood pressure
• Sleepiness during the daytime
• Irritability and moodiness

Obstructive sleep apnea is common in people suffering from obesity and is more prevalent in men than women.

What are signs of hearing loss?

Hearing loss does not occur suddenly. In fact, it manifests itself as multiple symptoms and signs over the course of a long duration, finally resulting in the partial or total loss of hearing.

Some of the common signs of hearing loss are:

• Difficulty in following conversations and asking people to repeat themselves
• Turning up the volume of the TV/radio too high
• Muffled hearing or a constant ringing in the ears
• Inability to hear phone calls, door bells and the sound of someone calling your name
• Physically moving closure to the person or object to listen better
• Resorting to reading lips to follow conversation

Constant ear pain and migraine headaches, plus a family history of hearing loss, diabetes and/or heart disease can aggravate these conditions. However, it’s important to remember that these signs qualify as the onset of hearing loss only if they occur on a regular basis; and not as a one-off situation. Dr. Aminpour offers hearing aids for those who do have loss of hearing.

What are my financial options?

All of the treatments we offer at our medical center are moderately priced and patient-friendly. We accept cash and every major Debit/Credit card. We also accept most of the medical insurance plans and packages. We offer free insurance verification service at our clinic and on our website. Just complete the form and we’ll get back to you regarding your eligibility.

When can my child benefit from tonsillectomy?

The tonsils are a pair of tissues located at the back of the throat, which help protect the body from infections. Sometimes, due to bacterial or viral infections, a person may develop a condition called tonsillitis, which results in swelling and pain in the tonsils.

The infection may also result in the formation of a pus-filled abscess, rashes, strep throat and in severe cases can obstruct breathing, causing sleep apnea.

The tonsillectomy procedure is the solution to these conditions. When infection of the tonsils causes problems in breathing, a tonsillectomy can be performed to take out the tonsils. By removing the tonsils, the person will experience immediate pain relief and will find it much easier to breath.

Most parents worry that their child may fall ill more frequently once the tonsils are removed. But this isn’t true. Research has shown that removal of the tonsils does not impact the immune system of the patient.

What causes Hoarseness?

Hoarseness refers to the condition of an abnormal change in the voice of an individual. When you notice your voice becoming grainy and coarse, it is indicative of hoarseness.

Hoarseness occurs as a result of:

• Irritants such as pollen, dust and smoke
• Inhalation of chemical odors and irritable gasses
• Throat infections
• Injury to the vocal cord
• Cysts, nodules and tumors on the vocal cord
• Allergies
• Thyroid conditions
• Gastroesophageal reflux
• Neurological conditions like stroke

What can be done about snoring?

Snoring can be a highly challenging condition to live with, both for the snorer and the partner. In severe cases, snoring can be indicative of obstructive sleep apnea. Through proper care and treatment, it is easy to reduce the occurrence of snoring.

Some of the things you can do to reduce/stop snoring are:

• Elevate your head when sleeping
• Sleep on your side and not on your back
• Use an anti-snoring mouth device
• Clear stuffy nose
• Keep the room moist
• Lose weight
• Quit smoking and drinking
• Use medication
• Schedule surgery to treat sleep apnea

Who is an Otolaryngologist?

Otolaryngologists are ENT practitioners who specialize in the surgical management and treatment of ear, nose and throat disorders, primarily those related to the head and the neck. They are doctors who treat infections, cysts, nodules and tumors in the head and neck region. They also specialize in treating facial trauma and facial deformities.

Dr. Shervin Aminpour is one of the most renowned and sought-after otolaryngologists in Los Angeles. Feel free to contact our clinic to schedule an appointment with him.