Smith Bruce M M D F A C S

Information may not be reliable

We are located at the Poudre Valley Health Systems Harmony Campus at the intersection of Timberline and Harmony Roads in south Fort Collins.

We have monthly ENT clinics in Laramie, WY at Laramie Pediatrics, located at 1252 North 22nd Street, Laramie WY.

We also have a local Laramie, Wyoming clinic at Dr. Kent Kleppinger's office for our Wyoming patients.
Please use our 866-484-6373 number to schedule an appointment in Laramie.

As a division of ENT Associates of Northern Colorado, the Hearing & Balance Clinic provides unique and specialized services for all patient populations. We provide state of the art diagnostic hearing and balance testing for all ages as well as hearing aid sales, service and repair in a compassionate, friendly, relaxed environment.

Infant & Child Hearing Evaluations
Ask About Our Complete Hearing Healthcare Package (Free batteries & repair for the life of your Hearing Aid)

Call our main number (970) 484-6373 to schedule an appointment. For our out of town patients please call 1-866-885-6373.

We offer our patients with snoring and sleep apnea a variety of treatment choices that are best suited for their needs. A consult with Dr. Smith will help determine the best treatment for each individual. Dr. Smith is the only physician in the area who performs the *Pillar implant procedure for snoring.
Please visit the Restore Medical website to learn more.

Q : I have been using over-the-counter nose sprays for years and I seem to be addicted. Can I be helped?
A : You probably have a condition called "rhinitis medicamentosa" where one gets a rebound effect from the vasoconstrictors in the OTC nasal sprays. An otolaryngologist can give you a prescription medication to get you off those sprays within a few days. However, you need to look into the reason you started the nose sprays in the first place. Do you have a deviated septum, allergic rhinitis or nasal polyps? All of these can be treated effectively.

Q : My child's tonsils are very large. Is it appropriate to have them removed surgically?
A : The mere fact that a child's tonsils are large does not necessarily require surgical removal unless the child is symptomatic with regard to airway obstruction, sleep-disordered breathing, or the development of orthodontic dental or respiratory problems,sinutisis, or chronic infection of the tonsils unresponsive to antibiotic therapy.This may neccesitate removal of tonsils and possibly the adenoids as well.

Q : My ears are ringing after last night's concert. Why?
A : Very loud noise levels such as concerts, power tools, guns and many factories are potentially damaging to hearing."Tinnitus" (ringing in the ears) is often the first warning signal that your ears have been exposed to harmful levels of noise. Continued exposure without proper hearing protection can lead to permanent hearing loss and constant ringing in your ears. Avoidance of toxic noise levels or consistent use of hearing protection is very important in preventing noise induced hearing loss. Evaluation of hearing levels through a hearing test can help to identify noise induced hearing loss.

Q : What are nasal polyps?
A : Nasal polyps are benign nasal masses arising from the lining tissues of the nose and cavities. They may present with symptoms of progressive nasal stuffiness, drainage and facial discomfort. There may be a decreased sense of smell related to the extent of the polyp formation. Polyps can cause recurrent or chronic sinusitis. Sometimes they can be controlled by topical steroid nasal sprays that will shrink the swollen tissues and relieve the symptoms. Surgical removal of polyps is indicated when theyare unresponsive to steroid therapy and/or when antibiotic resistant sinusitis is present.

Q : Can gastroesophageal disease affect my voice?
A : "GERD" (gastroesophageal reflex disease) most definitely can be a cause of hoarseness, even in the absence of heartburn. An ENT can examine your vocal cords to see if you have effects from GERD. Treatment may include dietary limitations of aggravating foodstuffs such as coffee, cola, chocolate, mint and excessively rich foods. Over the counter medications like Prilosec or Zantac may help.

Q : I have been told that my hearing loss can only be helped by hearing aids. Why do they cost so much?
A : Digital hearing aids are sophisticated devices, like tiny computers, used to help hearing loss. Most hearing aids are customized to each eindividual's ears and their hearing loss. These features and the level of technology influence the cost of the devices. Another factor to consider is the level of follow-up care provided with the hearing aid purchase. Many establishments with low "up-front" costs will charge for every office visit and adjustment made to the hearing aid. It is important to consider the value of these services when evaluating the cost of your hearing aid.

Q : What are adenoids?
A : Adenoid tissue is composed of lymph tissue located behind the nose in a vault above the throat called the nasopharynx. It is part of a ring of lymph tissue along with the tonsils and the bass of the tongue. If adenoids become enlarged or inflamed in childhood, they can cause nasal obstruction with sinus infections, secondary ear infections, mouth-breathing with sleep disordered breathing and dental malocclusion.

Q : When do children need pressure equalization or PE tubes?
A : The procedure of myringotomy and tubes is designed to ventilate the middle ear space by making a very small opening in the ear drum, keeping that open with a tiny tube. The tube allows air in the middle ear space and any fluid to drain out. Indications for PE tubes are: Fluid in the middle ear space that causes significant hearing loss and is unresponsive to medical management, recurrent ear infections of the middle ear space that do not respond to multiple courses of antibiotic treatment and significant distortion of the ear drum with negative pressure in the middle ear space ( eustachian tube dysfunction).

Dr. Bruce Smith has been in private practice working with patients in Northern Colorado and Wyoming since 1979. Dr. Smith practices medicine in an ethical, informed and caring manner. He is a graduate of Cornell University Medical College and interned at New York Hospital Cornell Medical Center. After two years serving in the United States Air Force as a flight medical officer, he was a resident at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. He moved on to the University of Iowa for advanced training and residency in Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery.

Dr. Smith is licensed to practice in Colorado and Wyoming and sees patients in both Fort Collins and Laramie. He is on staff at Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins, Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland, and Ivinson Memorial Hospital in Laramie, Wyoming. He is also credentialed at the Fort Collins Surgery Center in Fort Collins.

Dr. Smith was a past president of the Otolaryngology Maxillofacial Society and is a member of the following societies and organizations:

Dr. Smith is accepting new patients and treats adults and children. The office participates in all major insurance networks.

Doctor of Audiology, Meghan Abraham has been practicing in Colorado for more than ten years. She received her doctorate from ATSU in Mesa, Arizona and her Masters Degree in Audiology from the University of Wyoming. In 2008, Dr. Abraham was awarded the Professional Leadership Award from the Audiology Foundation of America.

Dr. Abraham is a proud member of the non-profit organization, Larimer County Hearing Aid Bank. In 2002, she spent time in Guatemala with a team of medical professionals where she provided hearing testing, hearing aids and wax removal to the people of Santa Cruz del Quiche. That same year, Dr. Abraham received specialized training in the diagnosis of vestibular (balance) disorders from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia.

Dr. Abraham was instrumental in developing the first cochlear implant program in Fort Collins. New hearing technology provides many diverse possibilities for all age groups. Rehabilitation programs combined with family counseling are vital to the success of improved hearing she says.

Dr. Abraham is a fellow with the American Academy of Audiology (FAAA) and a certified member of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA).

Our mission at Ear Nose & Throat Associates of Northern Colorado is to provide the best care to adults, infants and children in the community. We have been a successful practice since 1979 because we make patients our top priority. Our Otolaryngology clinic includes treatment for all areas of the head and neck and excellent ENT services in a warm, friendly, professional environment. We are in network for the majority of insurance companies and are located at the Poudre Valley Health Systems Harmony Campus in south Fort Collins. Our dedicated staff is trained to treat our patients with premiere care.

We provide treatment for several different illnesses including chronic sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, tonsillitis, adenoiditis, ear infections and disorders, voice disorders and hoarseness, thyroiditis, snoring, sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux, vertigo and hearing loss.