Do you often ask your friends and family to speak into your “good” ear? If yes, then you are not alone. Unilateral hearing loss, or single-sided hearing loss, affects around 60,000 Americans. Single-sided hearing loss is a condition where one ear experiences hearing loss. It can occur at birth or later in life. If you have this condition,
Hearing is a crucial component of life, barring cases of profound deafness. It enables effective communication with others, facilitates learning about the surroundings, and alerts individuals to potential threats. Unfortunately, with the passage of time, hearing, like other physiological functions, tends to deteriorate. However, there are a range of medical interventions available, from in-ear hearing aids to cochlear implants,
Otitis media, more generally understood as an ear infection, is a prevalent medical condition among children. It has been estimated that more than 80% of children will develop at least one ear infection by the age of three. Ear infections in children can cause notable discomfort and give rise to complications ranging from fever to a damaged eardrum.
Pediatric ENT involves providing ear, nose, and throat care to children below 18 years of age. Children are prone to ENT symptoms because their immune system is not fully developed. Most of these symptoms are minor, like those caused by the common cold virus, and should be allowed to run their course. However, some issues,
Interestingly, people who require hearing aids tend to defer getting their hearing checked for an average of seven years. This can be attributed to the societal stigma attached to hearing aids, often associated with aging. People have many questions about hearing loss and hearing aids, and it’s important to have accurate and helpful information available to answer them.
Hearing loss can negatively impact one’s quality of life, including an increased risk for cognitive decline. This risk is even higher for those with severe hearing loss. While ears, nose, and throat specialists typically do not test for mental decline, the association between the two is becoming more apparent through research. As a result, it’s a topic that is increasingly being discussed with patients and one that is important to address in this article.
It is a generally followed practice to keep Q-tips cotton swabs in the bathroom to clean out one’s ears. However, this seemingly essential task carries substantial risks. The American Academy of Otolaryngology cautions that using cotton-tipped swabs or other home instruments presents a severe risk of damage to the eardrum and ear bones. Accidental damage to the ears is a frequent outcome of using cotton swabs,
In modern times, individuals spanning a wide range of ages, including teenagers and those engaged in professional work, have adopted earbuds or earpods. These small, compact speakers that fit within the ear canal can seem beneficial, yet concerns regarding their potential impact on auditory health and well-being exist due to the risks of using earbuds.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a range of over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids for adults who experience mild to moderate hearing loss. These hearing aids can be purchased without the need for testing by an audiologist or a prescription. While they may offer fewer customization options than prescription hearing aids, some OTC options feature a self-fit function that enables personalized fitting.
We understand it can be bothersome if you experience sensations of pressure, congestion, or feeling clogged in your ears. You could encounter challenges with your auditory sense, such as hearing difficulties, crackling noises, or even physical discomfort. You may be grappling with ear congestion. If this is the case, this article can help you determine the underlying reasons for your issues and provide helpful treatments to alleviate your symptoms.