Everyone produces earwax. It is a healthy and important part of your auditory system, designed to help shift and remove dirt, dust, and bacteria, and to keep the ear free of foreign material. However, a buildup of that same earwax can become a problem, especially for those who wear hearing aids. An earwax impaction can…
View detailsSummer is officially here and if you have a cochlear implant there is no need to miss out on the joys of enjoying time with friends or family in the pool or at the beach. Each cochlear implant company offers a solution to enjoy conversation around water. These waterproof solutions allow you to swim and…
View detailsSummer in Florida is now upon us, and many patients have questions related to their hearing aids and enjoying outdoor activities. The biggest danger to your hearing aids in the summer is water. Most modern hearing aids are water-resistant but not waterproof, as most hearing aid models have some protection against accidental immersion and splashing.…
View detailsWhen undergoing a hearing test, the primary test is called audiometry and consists of listening to beeping sounds and indicating when the patient has heard the sound with a hand raise or pressing a button. When completing this portion of testing, the audiologist is looking for the softest sounds that the patient can just barely…
View detailsMany patients often ask at their hearing aid consultation appointment “How long do they last?”. While there isn’t a straightforward answer, here are some guidelines. Hearing aids are complex devices requiring proper care and maintenance. Technology is general is rapidly changing every few years and along with this is new advancements in hearing aid technology.…
View detailsAs audiologists, we often get asked “How do I clean my ears?” by patients if I can’t use Q-tips. Many people do not know that your ear typically does a good job cleans itself! Earwax, or cerumen, is a self-cleaning agent meant to protect and lubricate your ear canal. Glands in your ear canal produce…
View detailsOur last blog post focused on tinnitus basics and possible treatment options for tinnitus management. Unfortunately, there is a lot of inaccurate information regarding tinnitus on the internet, which has resulted in this topic becoming very controversial online. Here are a few of the most debated topics surrounding tinnitus, its causes, and its effects on…
View detailsAs you start your holiday shopping this year, keep your ear out for toys that are necessarily loud. The Sight & Hearing Association (SHA) keeps close tabs on the noise makers that catch our kids attentions. Kathy Webb, the executive director of SHA, said in a recent press release, “Test a toy before you buy…
View detailsHow Long Do Hearing Aids Last? One of the most common questions we hear during a hearing aid consultation is “how long will these devices last?” It’s a smart question to ask given the investment that is required for a new pair of hearing aids. Many long-term hearing aid users will also start to worry…
View detailsAnatomy and Physiology of the Auditory System The auditory system consists of several main parts that help carry sounds/signals to the brain. Although hearing seems like a simple feat, the transduction of a signal through the auditory system up to the brain is quite complex. The Outer Ear Beginning with the outer portion of the…
View details