It is estimated that nearly 35 million people experience sinusitis every year. Sinusitis involves the sinuses, spaces in our noise that consist of tissue which produces mucus. This mucus moisturizes the nasal cavity as well as helps filter the air we inhale by removing dust and other microbes we breathe in. This prevents these pollutants and allergens from causing illness, …
Scratchy Throat: Allergies or COVID?
If you experience a scratchy throat before the pandemic, you likely attributed it to allergies and it wasn’t much cause for concern. But with COVID now part of daily life, symptoms can be tough to identify. What you thought was allergies may be confused for COVID, causing additional stress and confusion. Understanding how allergies and COVID are different can help …
What is Vestibular Hypofunction?
Vestibular hypofunction is a type of balance disorder that involves part of the balance system not working properly. The balance system (known as the vestibular system) is housed in the inner ear. Vestibular hypofunction can be unilateral which means it occurs on one side or bilateral hypofunction meaning it is present on both sides – or in both ears. This …
Healthy Habits to Protect Your Hearing
Though not all forms of hearing loss are preventable, there are ways you can help prevent noise induced as well as age-related hearing loss. Nearly 1 in 6 people have some degree of hearing loss. Impacting over 48 million people, hearing loss is a pervasive health issue people live with today. This highlights the importance of protecting your hearing health …
Trouble Hearing in Noisy Places? Train Your Brain
Do you find yourself struggling to keep up with conversations in restaurants or at parties? Do you often say “huh” or “what” in these settings? These are common signs of hearing loss, a medical condition that impacts nearly 1 in 6 people. Experiencing difficulties hearing speech in environments that are noisy is a common symptom of hearing loss. These spaces …
Sounds That Could Harm Your Hearing
Did you know that exposure to loud noise is one of the most common causes of hearing loss? We are exposed to varying levels of noise throughout the day and some of this noise can be hazardous for hearing health. In fact, 30 million people in the U.S. are exposed to dangerous levels of noise on a regular basis according …
Exercise, Diet, Sleep, and Hearing Can Affect Your Brain’s Aging Process
Though aging is a natural process that happens over time, there are factors that can speed it up or slow this process down. This process involves the brain aging gradually which results in cognitive functions and processes becoming less flexible. Cognitive processes such as memory, decision making, and learning can require greater effort to perform over time. Recent research shows …
Signs of Pediatric Hearing Loss
Hearing loss impacts people of all ages, including babies and children. Pediatric hearing loss refers to hearing loss that is specifically experienced by children. This hearing loss can be temporary or permanent, depending on the underlying cause of it. Impaired hearing among children may look a little different and is often misrecognized as learning or behavioral issues. The presence of …
High Frequency Hearing Loss is Common Among Older People
Aging is a common cause of hearing loss. In fact, half of all adults who are 75 and older have disabling hearing loss. Age related hearing loss, also known as presbycusis, is the third most common health issue that older adults experience. Though it is pervasive, hearing loss among older adults remains undertreated. It is estimated that only one third …
Why You Should Schedule a Hearing Test for World Alzheimer’s Month
Did you know that September marks World Alzheimer’s Month? This global initiative raises awareness about dementia. According to the Alzheimer’s Disease International, an estimated 55 million people live with dementia worldwide. This is expected to significantly increase, reaching 139 million people by 2050. Dementia is an umbrella term that encompasses a range of medical conditions marked by cognitive decline. …