A crash course on ear anatomy and hearing While there are many nuances to hearing loss and what causes it, the anatomy of our ears and how they facilitate hearing is mostly the same for all humans. Our outer ear (the part you can see with your eyes), acts as a funnel to capture external
Have you heard of Canalith Repositioning? Canalith repositioning is an expert-driven treatment designed to help give relief to people suffering from benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). Before we get too deep into canalith repositioning itself, let’s explore BPPV and why the canalith procedure is necessary. BPPV occurs when tiny particles — often referred to as
What are over-the-counter hearing aids? With recent changes in legislation, the Federal Drug Administration has increased access to hearing technology by essentially creating a new product category in the marketplace: over-the-counter (or OTC) hearing aids. In the past, all hearing aids were considered medical grade devices, and these devices could only be prescribed by a
Can hearing aids help with my tinnitus? If you’re among the 25 million Americans who have experienced tinnitus in the past year, you know that its effects can be extreme. For some people, tinnitus can be so distracting that it becomes disruptive to live a normal life. Unfortunately, there is no cure for tinnitus, but
Is it safe to wear hearing aids in the water? “Are my hearing aids waterproof?” is near the top of the list of questions that new hearing aid wearers ask in our practice. In no uncertain terms, we are here to tell you that no, most of today’s hearing aids are not waterproof. In fact,
What do I need to know about fall risks in older adults? It’s no secret that as we age, there are certain health concerns that naturally arise. Keeping ourselves in good shape — physically, cognitively, and emotionally — can help keep us actively engaged with the people and the activities that make us feel fulfilled.
What are ear candles? Ear candling — sometimes referred to as ear coning — is a method of ear cleaning that is administered by placing a hollow cylindrical candle in a person’s ear. The opposite end of the candle — the one note not in the ear — is then lit. Some believe that ear
“Is my hearing loss reversible?” When our patients learn that they indeed have hearing loss, one of the first questions we hear is, “Is my hearing loss curable?” The unfortunate truth is that hearing loss is not curable. Why? Well, let’s explore what happens in the body when hearing loss occurs. Though there are different
What are ear crystals? Well, despite their fanciful name, ear crystals are a natural occurrence in our bodies! Ear crystals, sometimes also referred to as ear stones or otoconia, play a major role in our body’s system of balance. These crystals are composed of calcium carbonate, and reside in our body’s vestibular system. Calcium carbonate
Let’s talk about earwax Listen, we all have earwax, but it’s one of those topics related to natural occurrences in our bodies that we tend to avoid. Earwax is…well, it’s kinda gross, right? Sure, it’s a fact of life that we have to deal with. (And audiologists have to deal with it more than most!)
What do you know about hearing loss in the US? What do you picture in your mind when you hear the term “hearing aid?” Do you picture a sleek, technologically advanced near-supercomputer, or do you picture a bulky, oddly colored and shaped device that the wearer always seems to be frustrated with? If you’re in
Do you wear earplugs to live music events? If you’re a musician, know a musician, or are someone who just loves to attend live music events, you’ve probably struggled a bit with the concept of earplugs. Why would that be? Well, when it comes to the standard, one size fits all foam or silicone plugs,
