Ear, Nose, Throat & Allergy

Our Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) team offers close-to-home access to a team of otolaryngologists who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of health issues affecting the ear, nose, throat, and neck.

Whether you’re looking to find your voice, breathe easier or hear with better clarity, our experienced, board-certified ENT physicians can help. Together, they provide expertise in:

For appointments, advice and medication refills, please call during Holland Hospital ENT office hours. You may also request appointments, send messages and request medication refills through the Patient Portal. If you do not currently have access to the Patient Portal, you may request access by calling during office phone hours.

Allergy Treatments

Allergic rhinitis is triggered by the environment, including cats, dogs, trees or mildew. Symptoms of allergies can be controlled by avoiding the trigger or with allergy medication. Immunotherapy being the only known cure, treatment options are allergy shots or allergy drops.

Allergy drops provide an option for patients who are not able to follow the schedule required for shots - weekly or biweekly appointments at the physician’s office. While treatment varies from person-to-person, it generally lasts 12-36 months and many no longer need medication after completing the therapy.

Hearing Loss

Hearing loss is a medical disorder that affects nearly 36 million adults in the U.S. Impaired hearing may be caused by many things including age, head injury, heredity, or diseases and disorders. For some, hearing loss can be surgically corrected. For others, medical devices and rehabilitation therapies can help. Watch Dr. Joseph VanderMeer as he explains advances and treatments for hearing loss.

Cochlear Implants

A cochlear implant can help a person with very little or no hearing. Cochlear implants bring sound to children and adults who are deaf or severely hearing impaired -differing from hearing aids. A hearing aid makes sounds louder and benefits a person with some hearing loss. Unlike hearing aids, cochlear implants do not amplify sound. They are designed to mimic natural hearing by converting sound waves to electrical impulses and transmitting them to the inner ear.

For children who are born deaf, a cochlear implant can markedly increase the child’s chance of being able to function effectively in mainstream school classes.

“Hearing through a cochlear implant takes time to learn.” Dr. VanderMeer will caution, “But within a few months, people can recognize sounds and engage in conversation. Eventually, many can even talk on the telephone.”