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
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Tips for Managing Tinnitus
Get expert advice for managing your tinnitus and the related stress.
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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 Meniere's Disease. I have always had ringing in my left ear. Recently I have noted a thumping sound in my left ear. Is this another symptom of Meniere's Disease?
Meniere's disease or syndrome is named after a French physician who first described the disorder in 1861. It is not a disease in that it cannot spread to another person. It is a syndrome of three symptoms chara... continue reading about I have been diagnosed with Meniere's Disease. I have always had ringing in my left ear. Recently I have noted a thumping sound in my left ear. Is this another symptom of Meniere's Disease?
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
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?
Catherine A. Madison, M.D.
California Pacific Medical Center
For the first time in my life I experience vertigo after climaxing. Why is that?
Headaches after climax have been described over the years and are felt related to changes in the size of blood vessels after sex. Vertigo is more unusual and might suggest a problem with the inner ear system; a... continue reading about For the first time in my life I experience vertigo after climaxing. Why is that?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
I have a thumping sound in my left ear. The sound is rapid and irregular, and not synced with my pulse. It started four days ago at night. Today for first time I noticed sounds like tapping gently on a speaker cone. It doesn't seem to affect hearing.
Noises in the ear, whether it be thumping, ringing, buzzing, roaring or any other unusual sound not explained by outside sounds, are called tinnitus. Tinnitus can be constant, intermittent, high or low pitched,... continue reading about I have a thumping sound in my left ear. The sound is rapid and irregular, and not synced with my pulse. It started four days ago at night. Today for first time I noticed sounds like tapping gently on a speaker cone. It doesn't seem to affect hearing.
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
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?
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?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
For two months, I've been smelling cigarette smoke at work, at home, even in my car. I know there is no actual smoke in the air (I don't smoke and neither do my family or coworkers) but I smell it. I read that it could be a sinus problem or brain tumor.
Generally sinus disease or infection causes a foul odor and not the smell of cigarettes. Some brain tumors can cause olfactory (smell) delusions or hallucinations and these can be manifest as almost any odor. H... continue reading about For two months, I've been smelling cigarette smoke at work, at home, even in my car. I know there is no actual smoke in the air (I don't smoke and neither do my family or coworkers) but I smell it. I read that it could be a sinus problem or brain tumor.
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