New Reasons to Use Hearing Aids
You don’t have to suffer with hearing loss. Learn about digital hearing aid features and get tips for buying them.
Pioneering Surgery for Surfer's Ear
Surfer’s ear causes infections and hearing loss. An innovative surgical treatment will have you back in the water faster.
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Sinusitis and sinus infections often drag on or come back. Get expert tips for preventing and treating sinus problems.
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Protect Your Ears and Hearing
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Tips for Managing Tinnitus
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Breathe Easier
Allergy-easing options range from simple saline rinses to shots.
Ask an Expert
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
I have been diagnosed with chronic sinusitis and have lost my sense of smell and taste. Prednisone has helped but I refuse to take it on an ongoing basis since I also have osteoporosis. I can't take NSAIDS with a history of gastric ulcer. Any suggestions?
The loss or diminishment of the senses of smell and/or taste are common with sinus infection problems. Tissues inside the nose become swollen and secretions are increased, both which alter airflow through the n... continue reading about I have been diagnosed with chronic sinusitis and have lost my sense of smell and taste. Prednisone has helped but I refuse to take it on an ongoing basis since I also have osteoporosis. I can't take NSAIDS with a history of gastric ulcer. Any suggestions?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
Does bee pollen help reduce allergies?
There are two reasons that bee pollen would not be expected to help with allergies:The type of pollen that bees carry is not the kind of pollen that causes allergy. It's the wind-transported pollen that causes ... continue reading about Does bee pollen help reduce allergies?
Steven Machtinger, M.D.
Mills-Peninsula Medical Group
I have spring allergies and this year I have a plugged left ear, which I’m attributing to this. I’ve been using the over-the-counter ear wax remedies which have been working a bit for a day or two, and then my ear becomes plugged again. What can I do?
One of two problems is going on here. Either you have ear wax blocking your ear canal (a condition called cerumen impaction), or your allergies won't permit your ears to "pop", meaning that your eustachian tube... continue reading about I have spring allergies and this year I have a plugged left ear, which I’m attributing to this. I’ve been using the over-the-counter ear wax remedies which have been working a bit for a day or two, and then my ear becomes plugged again. What can I do?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
What would cause a muffled thumping sound in my left ear (almost like hearing a heart beat)? This sound is not in the right ear, only the left. It doesn't happen all the time and there is no hearing loss.
A couple of possible answers come to mind. First, there is a large source of blood flow in your head close to the bottom of your ear canal. The carotid artery is large and can sometimes produce a pounding or he... continue reading about What would cause a muffled thumping sound in my left ear (almost like hearing a heart beat)? This sound is not in the right ear, only the left. It doesn't happen all the time and there is no hearing loss.
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
My husband has been complaining that I'm not hearing everything he says. If I had hearing loss, wouldn't I certainly know it?
Hearing can decrease gradually over many years, and many people do not realize it until someone else points it out. Spouses, family members and close friends usually notice the changes first. I have had patient... continue reading about My husband has been complaining that I'm not hearing everything he says. If I had hearing loss, wouldn't I certainly know it?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
Is there any research being done to help treat and prevent hearing loss? So many older people I know seem to be dealing with it.
Hearing loss has many causes and affects people at different times in their lives. If we look at hearing loss and aging, it is difficult to isolate hearing loss causes without looking at several factors: geneti... continue reading about Is there any research being done to help treat and prevent hearing loss? So many older people I know seem to be dealing with it.
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
I've been taking antibiotics for an ear infection for about six days, but my ears won't stop ringing. Is there anything I can do to stop this?
It is important for you to finish all your antibiotics as prescribed by your doctor. If you finish the antibiotics and your ears are still clogged or ringing, request an appointment for a hearing evaluation and... continue reading about I've been taking antibiotics for an ear infection for about six days, but my ears won't stop ringing. Is there anything I can do to stop this?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
I recently read that hearing loss is more common in people with heart disease or those who've had a heart attack. Why would this be?
Many articles have been written about the connection between decreased blood flow from cardiovascular disease and hearing loss. The inner ear is very small, and changes in blood flow in the body can cause the r... continue reading about I recently read that hearing loss is more common in people with heart disease or those who've had a heart attack. Why would this be?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
It's hard for me to follow a conversation when two or more people talk at once. I'm a 48-year-old woman who has had no hearing problems in the past. Should I be concerned?
Hearing loss is often the main culprit with concerns about communication difficulties. Communication is the ability to hear, listen and respond to others appropriately. In order to hear, the auditory system (ou... continue reading about It's hard for me to follow a conversation when two or more people talk at once. I'm a 48-year-old woman who has had no hearing problems in the past. Should I be concerned?
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