Ear & Hearing

Ear infections can occur in the outer or middle ear.  This painful affliction is most common in children, but can affect people of all ages. Infections can also occur in the outer ear.  They are most common when the skin in the outer ear is dry and cracked. Ear infections can be either acute (of…

Hearing aids have improved greatly with the advent of digital technology. If you’re picturing big and bulky devices with questionable sound quality, you’ll be pleased to learn today’s instruments are smaller, more comfortable and provide sound that is more natural. They are available in a variety of sizes and styles, so finding one that appeals…

How to turn Oticon More™ miniRITE R off and on Oticon More™ miniRITE R – How to put on your hearing aids Oticon More™ miniRITE R – How to change Power dome How to pair Oticon Bluetooth® hearing aids with an iPhone® How to pair Oticon Bluetooth® hearing aids with an Android™ phone How to…

How to Insert Pure Charge&Go AX in the ear How to charge Pure Charge&Go AX with pure portable charger How to turn Pure Charge&Go AX on and off How to replace the minireceiver 3.0 on a Pure Charge&Go hearing aid How to exchange a sleeve eartip on a Signia Hearing Aid

Widex How-To How-to-video for pairing your Widex hearing aids to an iPhone| Widex Hearing Aids Pair WIDEX MOMENT™ direct streaming hearing aids to an Android smartphone | WIDEX hearing aids Attaching RIC earwire with receiver Widex Maintenance video How-to video for Widex My sound app. Wax Trap Change

What Causes Earaches?   Ear pain, commonly referred to as an earache, is a common complaint and can result from infection, poor Eustachian tube function, or temporomandibular joint problems (TMJ). Other causes include ear trauma, perforated eardrum, sinus infection, sudden changes in pressure, excess buildup of earwax, sore throat, shampoo or water in the ear, tooth infection, arthritis of the…

Earwax (cerumen) is a yellowish waxy substance produced by healthy ears. Earwax protects the ear from bacteria, water and foreign particles. It also assists in the cleaning and lubrication of the ear canal. Usually, excess wax is removed from the ear canal naturally. If a buildup does occur, the earwax will become hard and block…

What is a Cholesteatoma? A cholesteatoma sometimes referred to as a benign ear cyst is an abnormal skin growth in the middle ear behind the eardrum that may also affect the mastoid (skull bone). It begins as a cyst that gradually increases in size, destroying the bones of the middle ear and causing hearing loss.   What…

If you’re a parent, it probably comes as no surprise that middle ear infections are common in children, particularly those between the ages of six months and two years. Known as otitis media, these are caused by a number of factors, both physical and environmental.   Most ear infections clear up on their own, or are treated with antibiotics. But in some children,…

What Does an Eardrum Do? The eardrum has two main roles: Hearing – Your eardrum vibrates from sound waves striking it. In turn, structures in your middle and inner ear translate sound waves into nerve impulses.Protection – Acting as a barrier, your eardrum protects your middle ear from water, bacteria, and foreign substances. What is…

The ear is a surprisingly complex organ responsible for not only collecting and processing sounds and transmitting them to the brain for interpretation, but is also crucially involved in making sure your balance and motor skills are in synch. Many take hearing for granted, but understanding the process is the key to treating hearing loss.…

What Does a Hearing Test Measure? An audiologist uses a hearing test to measure your type, degree and configuration of hearing loss. An audiology evaluation consists of a series of one or more of these tests. Your audiologist will use your test results to create a treatment plan for your unique hearing loss. Who Should…

What Is Noise Induced Hearing Loss? Noise induced hearing loss is the second most common form of hearing loss (ranking behind presbycusis, hearing loss related to normal aging), and is the most preventable type. How Can Sounds Hurt Your Ears? Background sound is a constant in our busy lives. Normally, background noises are at safe…

There are two main types of hearing loss: conductive and sensorineural. Conductive hearing loss is caused by problems in the middle ear and outer ear, while sensorineural hearing loss is the result of inner ear problems. Sensorineural hearing loss is often referred to as nerve deafness and is usually treatable only with hearing aids. Conductive…

Wondering what type of amplification is best for your hearing loss? We have the right solution for you, whether you have mild or severe hearing loss. Mild Severe Personal SoundAmplification Products Hearing Aids & Systems Implantable Devices Personal Sound Amplification Products (PSAPs) Provide limited audible improvement in quiet Increase speech understanding in quiet and non-challenging…

For most people who experience hearing loss, the condition comes on gradually over a period of years. In rare cases, an abrupt loss of hearing occurs with little or no warning. This condition, known as sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL) What is Sudden Deafness? Sudden deafness is defined as a hearing reduction of 30 dB…

What Is Single Sided Deafness? Sometimes referred to as unilateral hearing loss, single sided deafness is a condition in which an individual experiences hearing loss in only one ear but can hear normally out of the other ear. While the majority of patients with a hearing impairment suffer from bilateral (two-sided) hearing loss, SSD is…

What Are the Most Common Causes of Hearing Loss? A number of factors can cause hearing loss. The most common include aging, noise exposure, ear infections, excessive earwax, ear or head trauma, genetics, birth defects, benign growths or tumors, otosclerosis, Meniere’s disease and reactions to drugs. Noise-Induced Hearing Loss Noise-induced hearing loss is the most…

General Health There are 48 million people throughout the country suffering from hearing loss. Of those people, only 20 percent who can benefit from the use of a hearing aid actually wears them. It turns out, living with untreated hearing loss can do more damage than originally thought and those who seek treatment see improvements…

Without batteries, your hearing aids would be unable to function. To keep your devices running as smoothly as possible without interruption, there are a few things to know about hearing aid batteries. We’ve put together some common questions and answers that should help you get the most from your hearing aid batteries. What Kinds of…

When your audiologist recommends hearing aids, selection is only the beginning of the process. Equally important is the fitting, which involves programming your hearing aids and making adjustments to provide the correct levels of amplification for your particular hearing loss. Counseling is a necessary step to ensure you have realistic expectations, and is crucial for…

Hearing aids aren’t just available in a wide range of sizes and styles; they can also accommodate a variety of accessories. Deciding which, if any, will benefit you can be tricky. You may want to speak with your audiologist to learn more about any particular product. Hearing Aid Accessory Options Some of the more popular…

Today’s amazingly advanced hearing aids may be small, but each instrument packs an incredible amount of technology into its tiny casing. More and more insurance companies are offering coverage for hearing loss treatment; however, many patients are still responsible for financing part or all of their hearing aid purchase. At , our staff truly cares…

Tinnitus is often described as a ringing in the ears, but can also sound like hissing, buzzing, roaring, sizzling, clicking or other noise. Tinnitus can manifest as an acute symptom lasting just a few days, or a chronic or recurring symptom lasting weeks, months or years. Tinnitus is a symptom of a wide range of…

There is no universal cure for tinnitus, but there are treatments that make it less of a distraction. Because tinnitus is a side effect of an underlying condition, identifying the problem may lead to a medical or surgical solution. The cure rates for pulsatile tinnitus are quite high once the problem has been identified. Unfortunately,…

While there is no known cure for tinnitus unless the underlying cause can be identified, in recent years, audiologists have developed some outstanding tinnitus treatment programs and methods to help patients with chronic tinnitus. What is Tinnitus Retraining Therapy? Tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT) is one of our highest recommended treatment plans. TRT centers around tinnitus…

Diagnostic Balance Testing With such a wide range of hearing and balance disorders, many of which have similar symptoms, it’s important for an audiologist to make an accurate diagnosis in order to come up with a successful treatment plan. Diagnostic testing plays an important role in determining the condition responsible for a patient’s suffering. Types…

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, commonly referred to as BPPV, is a vestibular disorder that causes vertigo. It occurs when calcium deposits in the inner ear become dislodged from the otolithic membrane and settle in the semicircular canals. Any change in the position of the head causes these tiny crystals to shift, triggering dizziness. What Causes…

Dizziness, a blanket term used to describe any feeling of unsteadiness, is one of the leading health complaints in the United States, affecting an estimated nine million people annually. For those over the age of 70 it’s the top reason for a visit to the doctor’s office. What Are the Causes of Dizziness?   Dizziness…

Ménière’s disease is an inner ear disorder that causes fluctuating hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo and fullness or pressure in the ear. It is the result of excess fluid in the inner ear. There is no cure for Ménière’s disease, but various strategies can help you manage your symptoms. What Causes Ménière’s Disease? The exact cause…

Vertigo is a form of dizziness characterized by the feeling that you or your environment is moving or spinning, despite the lack of any actual movement. This sensation is brought on by disturbances in the inner ear or the brain. What Are the Types of Vertigo? Peripheral vertigo is associated with problems in the inner…