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Ears & hearing

Otology & Complex Ear Surgery

From a child with repeated ear infections to an adult with an ear that won't stop draining or hearing that's slowly fading. This page covers the ear problems Dr Kana treats and how hearing care fits in along the way.

Illustrative image: Otoscope, audiology headphones and a hearing test card in front of a sound boothIllustrative image

Dr Kana works with audiology and speech therapy colleagues, so that hearing assessment, surgery and postoperative audiological care are coordinated.

Chronic otitis media and cholesteatoma

A persistent perforation of the eardrum or a chronically discharging ear may indicate chronic otitis media. Cholesteatoma is an abnormal growth of skin within the middle ear that can gradually erode surrounding bone, including the hearing bones.

Surgery aims first to create a safe, dry ear and, where possible, to restore hearing. Planning is guided by otomicroscopy, audiometry and CT of the temporal bone.

Conductive hearing loss

Conditions such as otosclerosis or disruption of the ossicular chain can reduce the transmission of sound to the inner ear. Surgical options include stapes surgery and ossicular reconstruction. Hearing aids and implantable devices are appropriate alternatives for some patients.

Paediatric ear care

Recurrent acute otitis media and persistent middle ear effusion in children can affect hearing during an important period of speech and language development. Paediatric ear care, including ventilation tube (grommet) insertion, is provided at Netcare Mulbarton Hospital in Johannesburg South.

Integrated audiological care

Pre- and postoperative audiological testing, hearing-aid fitting and vestibular (balance) assessment are coordinated with audiology colleagues. This supports continuity from diagnosis through surgery to rehabilitation.

Treatments in this area

  • Tympanoplasty and myringoplasty
  • Tympanomastoidectomy
  • Cholesteatoma surgery
  • Stapedotomy / stapedectomy
  • Ossiculoplasty
  • Bone-anchored hearing implant and cochlear implant assessment

Your care team may include: ENT and ear surgery (otology), Audiology, Speech and language therapy, Paediatric anaesthesia (Netcare Mulbarton).

For referring doctors

When to refer, and what to send

Send a secure referral

Referral criteria

  • Chronic or recurrent ear discharge despite topical treatment
  • Suspected cholesteatoma (attic retraction, keratin debris, granulation)
  • Persistent tympanic membrane perforation
  • Conductive or mixed hearing loss on audiometry
  • Children with recurrent otitis media or effusion persisting beyond three months

Helpful work-up before consultation

  • Pure-tone audiogram and tympanometry
  • CT of the temporal bone for chronic ear disease (DICOM)
  • Details of prior ear surgery, if any

Common questions

Things people often ask

Can't see your question here? The rooms are happy to help.

Contact the rooms
Are there paediatric ENT services at Netcare Mulbarton?

Yes. Dr Nadir Kana's rooms at Netcare Mulbarton Hospital (Suite 11) provide paediatric ENT care in Johannesburg South, including management of chronic otitis media, tonsillar hypertrophy and paediatric airway obstruction.

Will ear surgery restore my hearing?

The primary goal of surgery for chronic ear disease is a safe, dry ear. Hearing improvement is a secondary goal and depends on the condition of the hearing bones and inner ear. Your expected outcome is discussed based on your audiogram and scan.

Travelling from outside South Africa?

Medically reviewed by Dr Nadir Kana, Otorhinolaryngology (ENT) and Head & Neck Surgery. Last reviewed .