Cancer Treatment and Its Effect on Your Hearing
Chemotherapy, radiation and surgery are all effective cancer treatments that come with a long list of additional side effects. While you may be familiar with the hair and weight loss, there are several hearing-related side effects, some of which will continue after the treatment ends. If you or someone you love is about to undergo…
Why Do Loud Sounds Startle People with Hearing Loss?
People with hearing loss often struggle to detect low-level sounds like those that are present during normal conversations. However, this doesn’t mean they can’t be startled by loud noises, and in some cases perceive those loud noises as even more bothersome and intense as they did before experiencing hearing loss. While that might sound odd,…
Common Causes of a Dry & Crusty Ear Canal
If your ear feels dry and crusty, there are many possible reasons that could be causing it, including skin conditions and environmental factors. We explore some of these causes below as well as review treatment options. Skin Conditions Some skin conditions linked to a dry and crusty ear canal are described here. Eczema Eczema is…
Hearing Aid Care in Colder Weather
Summer is waning and colder weather is just around the corner. Even living in sunny California there’s a chance for some cooler, rainy days. While many appreciate the cooler temperatures, if you wear hearing aids it’s important to know how to care for them in colder weather to avoid damage. With a few extra precautions,…
How Certain Foods & Drinks May Cause Tinnitus Spikes
If you suffer from tinnitus, you’ve probably experienced a phenomenon known as a tinnitus spike. Tinnitus spikes are changes in volume, intensity, tone, pitch or sound that makes your tinnitus harder to ignore. These spikes can last minutes, hours, days or weeks. It’s important to know that tinnitus spikes are not a sign you’re regressing…
Helpful Tips for Cleaning Wax Out of Your Hearing Aid
While you may find it unsightly, earwax plays an important role in the health of your ear. It protects the skin in the ear canal, traps debris and bacteria and lubricates the ear to prevent it from becoming dry and itchy. Even so, too much of a good thing isn’t always helpful. If you wear…
Hearing Aids & Healthy Brain Function
Hearing doesn’t just involve your ears; it requires your brain, too. If you have untreated hearing loss, your brain has to work extra hard to compensate and help you hear. This can be incredibly taxing and puts you at risk of developing dementia and other forms of cognitive decline. Fortunately, research shows that hearing aids…
What Causes the Ear to Bleed?
If your ear begins to bleed, it can be alarming. Fortunately, it’s not usually the sign of too serious, though you should seek medical attention promptly to avoid complications. Below we review five possible causes of a bleeding ear. Ruptured Eardrum One of the signs of a torn or punctured eardrum is blood coming from…
The Connection Between Heart Health & Hearing Loss
Heart disease is the number one cause of death for both men and women in the U.S., which is why caring for your cardiovascular system is so important. In addition to keeping your heart healthy, exercising can benefit your auditory system, too. We explore this link below. Understanding Heart Disease The Centers for Disease Control…
How Fast Can Hearing Loss Progress?
Hearing loss is a progressive condition, meaning it develops slowly over time. How quickly it develops depends on a variety of factors, such as genetics and lifestyle habits. Below we review how fast hearing loss progresses, factors that accelerate it and how you can slow it down. Will My Hearing Loss Progress Quickly? Most people’s…