Understanding and Protecting the Hearing Process
We rely on our hearing to connect with friends and family, listen to our favorite music, alert us to safety information and more. Understanding how we perceive sound and the potential hazards to our hearing empowers us to safeguard this precious sense. Let’s explore the mechanics of hearing and identify some common causes of hearing…
Why Can Your Tinnitus Worsen Over Time?
Tinnitus, a common symptom causing a ringing or buzzing in the ear, affects approximately 50 million people in the United States. For many, tinnitus is an infrequent and unbothersome occurrence that can easily be ignored. For others, the constant presence of ringing can disrupt sleep and cause irritability, anxiety, depression and lack of concentration. Tinnitus…
Hearing Loss in Your City
In Brazoria County, an average of 9.5% of the population faces some degree of hearing loss, lower than the state average of 10%. However, in a neighboring county, Matagorda, 16% of the population has some form of hearing loss. Types Of Hearing Loss This could be due to occupations, lifestyle or access to or knowledge…
How To Be a Hearing Loss Advocate in The Workplace
Navigating the professional landscape can pose unique challenges for individuals with hearing loss. Based on standard hearing examinations, one in eight people aged 12 or older in the U.S. experience hearing loss in both ears. As a common condition, it’s important to advocate for those with hearing loss; colleagues and leaders can foster a more…
Can You Prevent Ear Infections in Children?
While anyone can develop an ear infection, they are more common in children than adults. This is because children have smaller Eustachian tubes that are still developing and more likely to experience swelling and fluid blockages. Though the occasional ear infection is likely nothing to worry about and will clear up on its own, chronic…
What Is the Valsalva Maneuver & How Does It Relate to Your Ears?
The Valsalva maneuver has a number of purposes, but perhaps it is most commonly used for equalizing pressure in the middle ears, like when flying out of Texas Gulf Coast Regional Airport. We review information about the Valsalva maneuver, including how to perform it, how effective it is and other uses for it, below. How…
How to Safely Remove Earwax at Home, and When You Should See an ENT About It
Most of the time, your ears do a good job of regulating the amount of earwax you have. In the right amount, earwax helps protect your ears from dirt, debris and bacteria. However, sometimes you can have a buildup of earwax that can cause symptoms and need to be removed. Symptoms of Earwax Buildup While…
Can Allergies Be the Cause of Frequent Ear Infections?
Ear infections are common in young children. In fact, the National Institutes of Health reports that five out of six children will experience an ear infection before their third birthday. However, there’s another population that is also prone to frequent ear infections: those with allergies. We review this connection below. How Do Allergies Cause Ear…
