Hearing Loss Treatment &
Ear Care in Austin, TX
From hearing loss and tinnitus to dizziness and chronic ear infections, Capital ENT's board-certified otolaryngologists provide comprehensive ear care for patients of all ages across Central Texas.
Trusted Ear & Hearing Specialists in Austin
Capital ENT & Sinus Center offers the full range of otological and audiological services to the Greater Austin area. Our otolaryngologists have advanced training and a passion for working with patients of all ages suffering from ear disorders.
Our audiologists (Margaux Colburn, AuD in Austin and Jill Rodriguez, AuD, CCC-A in Lakeway) work closely with our physicians to diagnose and treat patients with hearing concerns. They provide comprehensive evaluations of hearing disorders, and dispense and fit the full range of hearing aids, from entry-level to the most advanced state-of-the-art devices. Wondering whether a professionally fitted device is right for you? See our guide: OTC vs. prescription hearing aids.
- On-site state-of-the-art hearing testing
- Licensed audiologists on staff in Austin and Lakeway, for all ages
- Board-certified otolaryngologists with subspecialty training
- Comprehensive hearing aid fitting and follow-up care
- Minimally invasive surgical options when needed
The Most Common Ear Problems
Capital ENT offers comprehensive care of the ear, from hearing aids to microsurgery of the inner ear to correct hearing disorders.
What ear and hearing problems does an ENT treat?
An ENT (otolaryngologist) diagnoses and treats the full range of ear and hearing problems, including ear infections, earwax blockage, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), Eustachian tube dysfunction, dizziness and balance disorders, and hearing loss, from in-office treatment to advanced hearing evaluation with an audiologist.
Dizziness & Imbalance
Determining the cause of your dizziness requires a thorough medical evaluation. Our team works to identify and treat conditions like vertigo, lightheadedness, and Meniere's disease.
Learn MoreHearing Loss & Hearing Aids
Capital ENT has all your hearing needs covered, from newborns who fail a hearing screening to seniors needing hearing aids. We provide comprehensive audiological evaluations and fit the full range of hearing devices, from entry-level to state-of-the-art.
Learn MoreTinnitus (Ringing in the Ears)
Our audiologists evaluate your tinnitus to determine whether a treatable medical condition is present. If there is an underlying medical condition, we provide targeted treatment. Tinnitus can significantly affect quality of life; let us help you find relief.
Learn MoreEar Infections & Otology
We treat recurring ear infections, swimmer's ear, ear wax buildup, and Meniere's disease. Our practice offers on-site hearing testing and full-time audiologists providing care for the entire Central Texas population.
Learn Moreby hearing loss
Early detection can help reduce these risks and improve your overall quality of life.
The Impact of Hearing Loss
Hearing loss can have a negative impact on both the psychological and physical well-being of children and adults. In children, hearing loss can delay speech, language, and cognitive development, making early detection and intervention critical.
In older adults, untreated hearing loss may cause a decline in physical, emotional, social, and cognitive functioning. For all ages, hearing loss can cause insecurity, frustration, anger, confusion, and isolation. Research also suggests a link between hearing loss and serious health problems such as high blood pressure, kidney disease, diabetes, and heart disease.
Since hearing loss may be due to a medical condition, our office provides both a comprehensive audiological and medical evaluation to determine the cause and best treatment for your specific type of hearing loss.
Schedule a Hearing EvaluationSudden Hearing Loss Is a Medical Emergency
If you lose hearing in one or both ears over hours or a few days, it's called sudden sensorineural hearing loss, and time is critical. Our specialists explain what causes it, why early treatment matters, and the steroid-based therapies that can restore hearing when started within 72 hours.
Hearing changes are never something to "wait out." If you notice a sudden drop in hearing, contact our office the same day for an urgent evaluation.
Schedule an Urgent EvaluationComprehensive Ear Care Services
Audiological Evaluations
Comprehensive hearing tests for all ages, from newborn screenings to adult hearing loss assessments, performed by our board-certified audiologists.
Hearing Aid Fitting
We dispense and fit the full range of hearing aids (from entry-level to the most advanced state-of-the-art devices) with ongoing follow-up care.
Ear Infection Treatment
Medical and surgical treatment for acute and chronic ear infections, including ear tube placement for recurrent infections in children and adults.
Tinnitus Management
Evaluation and treatment of ringing, buzzing, or whooshing in the ears, including identifying and treating any underlying medical conditions.
Ear Procedures
Our board-certified otolaryngologists perform ear tube placement, tympanoplasty (eardrum repair), and intratympanic steroid injections to treat a range of ear conditions.
Eustachian Tube Dilation
Balloon dilation of the Eustachian tube to treat chronic ear pressure, fullness, and fluid caused by Eustachian tube dysfunction, a minimally invasive procedure with durable results.
Learn More →Margaux Colburn, AuD: Austin Audiologist
Meet our Austin audiologist, a board-certified Doctor of Audiology with 15+ years of experience, specializing in comprehensive hearing evaluations, hearing aid fitting, and balance testing.
View Profile →Jill Rodriguez, AuD, CCC-A: Lakeway Audiologist
Meet our Lakeway audiologist, specializing in hearing aids, BAHA implants, tinnitus management, and diagnostic audiology for adults and children at our Lakeway location.
View Profile →Ear Wax Removal & Ear Cleaning in Austin
Impacted earwax (cerumen) is one of the most common reasons patients come to see us, and one of the quickest to fix. When wax blocks the ear canal it can cause muffled hearing, a feeling of fullness, ringing, or itching. Our ENTs and audiologists perform earwax removal, also called cerumen extraction, safely and comfortably, usually in a single Austin office visit.
How does an ENT safely remove ear wax?
An ENT removes earwax under direct visualization using microsuction, gentle irrigation, or specialized instruments such as a curette. Because we can see directly into the ear canal, we clear stubborn or impacted wax without pushing it deeper or risking injury to the eardrum. It is a faster, safer alternative to over-the-counter kits or cotton swabs.
When to have earwax professionally removed
- Muffled hearing, fullness, or a "plugged" sensation in one or both ears
- Earwax that builds up faster than you can manage, or recurs often
- Hearing aid or earbud users whose devices push wax deeper
- A history of ear surgery, ear tubes, or a perforated eardrum
- Pain or muffled hearing after using a cotton swab or at-home kit
Earwax usually causes fullness and muffled hearing rather than pain, and it can sometimes trigger ringing (tinnitus). Once the wax is cleared, any remaining symptoms can be properly evaluated. If buildup is a recurring problem for hearing aid wearers, we can help you stay ahead of it.
Why you should skip the cotton swabs
The American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery's clinical practice guideline on cerumen (earwax) impaction advises against inserting cotton swabs or other objects into the ear canal. They tend to pack wax deeper and can scratch the canal or puncture the eardrum. The ear is largely self-cleaning, so most people never need to remove wax at home.
If you do have buildup, a professional cleaning is quick, painless, and gives immediate relief. The AAO-HNS patient guidance on earwax and care echoes what we tell every patient: when in doubt, let an ENT take a look.
Book Ear Wax RemovalEar Care FAQ
Ready to Improve Your Hearing & Ear Health?
Our board-certified ENT specialists and audiologists are ready to help. Same-day and next-day appointments are often available at our four Central Texas locations.