The Challenge of Diagnosing Vestibular Disorders

Vestibular Dysfunction represented in typography.

Diagnosing a vestibular disorder, or a dizziness and balance problem, can be a difficult and frustrating journey for the patient experiencing the issue. In fact, according to the Vestibular Disorders Association (VEDA), many people with dizziness, imbalance, or vertigo have trouble obtaining a diagnosis. Difficulties in Getting a Diagnosis: There are many different types of disorders that can cause dizziness. … Read More

Prescription Hearing Aids May Be Your Solution

Otolaryngologist with Associated Audiologists examining a patient's ear using an otoscope.

It’s been several months since over-the-counter hearing aids became available in the United States and today, questions remain as products are developed, released, and utilized. In addition, we have more to learn about how these products work and how the public responds.  Over-the-counter hearing aids likely have a place in the market and may be useful for some individuals, but … Read More

Sensitive to Sounds at Work?

Employees seated at a conference table listening to a presentation, while a woman stands at the end of the table with a laptop.

Is Post-Pandemic Noise Affecting You? Is it just your imagination, or are sounds louder in a post-pandemic world? The answer is that technically sounds aren’t louder, but they can seem more annoying and bothersome than before. At the beginning of the pandemic, many workers who typically spent their days surrounded by chatty colleagues, annoying ringtones, and humming printers, were suddenly … Read More

Why Do I Have Itchy Ears?

Visual representation showing the correct and incorrect ways to use a Q-tip for cleaning around your ears, emphasizing safe practices and avoiding damage.

Having “itchy ears” is a common problem. There are lots of reasons why our ears might itch. Sometimes it’s as simple as dry skin or wax in our ear canals, but it can also be the result of contact dermatitis or seborrheic dermatitis; an infection; irritation from hearing aids or earbuds; or allergies. In some cases, the itching occurs in … Read More

Why Is Everyone on TV Mumbling?

A couple watching tv and enjoying a bowl of popcorn in their living room.

Why Is Movie Dialogue Hard to Understand? Picture this. You and your sweetie snuggle up on the couch with your popcorn and favorite beverages, ready to watch the latest release on Netflix. But a few minutes into the movie, you both have puzzled looks on your faces. You turn to your partner and ask, “What did he say?”  Your partner … Read More

The Facts About Hearing Loss

May is Better Hearing Month, a time to increase awareness of how common hearing loss is, who can treat it, and why treatment is so important. The following facts from the American Academy of Audiology show how common hearing loss, dizziness and related issues are. Approximately 38 million Americans report having some degree of hearing loss. The rate for hearing … Read More

What’s Up with Earwax?

Man covering the opening of his ear with his hand, with a graphical overlay of a target bullseye representing focus or attention to hearing.

Earwax. It’s something everyone has, but what purpose does it serve and what’s the best way to get rid of it? We’ll answer those questions in this blog about one of the most common problems we see. Earwax is also known as cerumen in the medical community and it has an important job—to protect the outer ear and ear canal, … Read More

Can Diet Impact Dizziness?

Woman holding her temples with her hands, with an exaggerated radial blur effect in the background, suggesting a sense of dizziness or discomfort.

According to the Vestibular Disorders Association (VEDA), many people with Ménière’s disease (also called primary idiopathic endolymphatic hydrops), secondary endolymphatic hydrops, or migraine-associated dizziness, find that certain changes in their diet can reduce dizziness and help manage other symptoms of dizziness. Why is this? Fluid Balance in The Inner Ear The inner ear is a fluid-filled hearing and balance system … Read More

Hearing Loss May be First Sign of Otosclerosis

3D model of the ear canal and its components, including the eardrum, ossicles, and cochlea, for educational purposes.

When most people schedule an appointment for a diagnostic hearing evaluation, they may expect to learn they have hearing loss. What they might not expect to learn is that their hearing loss is caused by a relatively rare condition known as otosclerosis. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Communication Disorders, otosclerosis is a term derived from oto, meaning … Read More

Do Your Hearing Aids Whistle?

Hearing specialist from Associated Audiologists using an otoscope on a female patient while gently holding her ear.

Why Do My Hearing Aids Whistle or Squeal? For those who wear hearing aids, probably one of the most annoying problems is when they whistle or “squeal.” After all, that high-pitched sound isn’t just heard by you, but can be heard by others who are near. So, what causes your hearing aids to whistle or “squeal,” and what can you … Read More