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.
Help for Sinus Problems
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
Get tips to care for your ears and avoid preventable hearing loss.
Tips for Managing Tinnitus
Get expert advice for managing your tinnitus and the related stress.
Breathe Easier
Allergy-easing options range from simple saline rinses to shots.
Ask an Expert
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
I feel a sore throat coming on. What can I do keep the condition from worsening?
If you feel a sore throat starting, this is usually a sign of a viral infection. To minimize symptoms, cool liquids/ice chips are quite helpful, although some people prefer warmer liquids. Gargling with salt wa... continue reading about I feel a sore throat coming on. What can I do keep the condition from worsening?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
For the past three months, I've had a constant and irritating tickle in my inner ear. It even wakes me up at night. I've used ear rinses and had my primary care doctor examine it, but she could not find anything. Any suggestions?
You might want your primary physician to refer you to an Ear Nose and Throat doctor. Some ear canals can have “pockets” that are not noticeable by looking in the ear canal with a standard otoscope, ... continue reading about For the past three months, I've had a constant and irritating tickle in my inner ear. It even wakes me up at night. I've used ear rinses and had my primary care doctor examine it, but she could not find anything. Any suggestions?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
I use ear buds with my MP3 player and wondered what volume of sound is safe. Can loud music cause hearing loss?
When using an MP3 player, the recommendation is to keep the volume at one half the scale, or less. Specifically, on an I-Pod device, I counsel my patients and family members to keep the volume no more than half... continue reading about I use ear buds with my MP3 player and wondered what volume of sound is safe. Can loud music cause hearing loss?
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
A friend uses a neti pot and swears that it has reduced her allergies (sinus congestion and headaches) by 75 percent or more. How does the neti pot work and is it safe?
Neti pots use normal saline to rinse the nose of excess mucous. Normal saline is water to which salt is added and has the same degree of saltiness as your body's fluids. Saline rinses temporarily relieve nasal ... continue reading about A friend uses a neti pot and swears that it has reduced her allergies (sinus congestion and headaches) by 75 percent or more. How does the neti pot work and is it safe?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
Our doctor told my husband that he has a retracting eardrum. What does this mean?
Retracted eardrums are usually an indication that there is negative pressure (a vacuum) behind the eardrums in the middle part of the ear. Some of the symptoms can be: a feeling of fullness or pressure in the e... continue reading about Our doctor told my husband that he has a retracting eardrum. What does this mean?
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
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 have diabetes and I read recently that people with this disease have a higher risk of hearing problems. Why would this be, and is there anything I can do to prevent it?
It is true that diabetes can cause hearing loss in cases that are more severe. Not everyone will get hearing loss with diabetes, and it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle and follow your physician's r... continue reading about I have diabetes and I read recently that people with this disease have a higher risk of hearing problems. Why would this be, and is there anything I can do to prevent it?
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