It is well known that chemicals can affect the human body in various ways. We use the term “side effects” for medications. The intended target of the drug is only a part of the overall affect, as the pill breaks up and courses through your bloodstream. One area of concern with certain drugs is the hearing system. You may notice …
How it fits together. We pride ourselves on being a “full scope” practice. By that we mean we perform virtually all the functions an audiology/hearing aid dispensing practice could encompass. Fully diagnostic, we perform evaluations that include outer ear, middle ear, inner ear, ear wax, tinnitus, and the balance system. Our patients range from pediatric to the elderly. We cover …
Often patients tell us they think their ears are dirty. By “dirty” then mean having ear wax in the canal. We may clear the wax if it is excessive, but we always remind patients their ears are not actually dirty. It is easy to understand why one would confuse a natural bodily secretion with uncleanliness. Ear wax is not the …
We often associate the word “plastic” with cheap material used to make children’s toys and car parts. It was once the wave of the future. Petroleum produced an inexpensive textile substitute. It became synonymous with 1970s furniture and inexpensive mass-produced products. But can the term have a positive connotation? Can it apply to people? Can it help us understand the …
An important message about “over the counter hearing aids” Recent news broadcasts have featured stories about “hearing aids” that can be bought “over the counter”, or without a prescription, an exam or professional fitting. This has naturally generated many questions to those of us in the hearing healthcare field. What are the instruments in question? Are they actual hearing aids? …
Last summer the musical group King Crimson toured the world. Their tour was called Music Is Our Friend. Music lovers know that music can “calm the savage beast”, enhance our mood, relieve boredom and provide perfect backdrops for sporting events, worship and social activities. Music can transport us to other times and places in ways that words or images often …
One of the most common complaints we hear from patients is a plugged sensation in the ears. Patients feel they can still hear, have no pain or dizziness, however, they feel as if something is blocking their ear canals. Why does this happen? Is this normal? Can it be helped? Where is the problem located? There are three regions of …
Often a celebrity will unintentionally bring a medical condition to the public eye. Singer Cher introduced many fans to Epstein-Barr Syndrome. Serena Williams has Sjogren’s Syndrome. Selena Gomez had people talking about Lupus and auto-immune disease, and Magic Johnson made HIV more real to millions of basketball fans. In recent news, singer Justin Bieber has caused a rise in internet …
You wake up one morning and something is different. Your ear feels plugged. Perhaps you switched ears on your phone and cannot hear out of one side. You need more volume to hear the news report. Your ear buds only work on one side. Is this normal? What could it be? What can be done? Sudden loss of hearing affects …
It is well known that loud sounds damage hearing. Many adults are at risk. Ear infections resulting in tubes are common in young children through adulthood. What do these facts have in common? Both result in ears that need protection, from loud noises or from water in the ears. There are now several styles of ear plugs designed to protect …