Several patients who are tech-savvy and/or very current on audio have noticed the recent popularity of noise-cancelling headphones. These are very popular, not only for travellers, but anyone who seeks to hear music or recorded books or movies with less intrusive background noise. A patient recently asked if this concept could be used to modify or reduce tinnitus, the phantom noise …

Most people are aware that middle ear infections are very common in young children. Many pediatrician visits result in treatment for otitis media, which often presents as “glue ear”. This may be accompanied by pain, fever and reduced hearing. Children are known to be more prone to this condition due to their more horizontal Eustachian tubes and propensity for harvesting infections. …