How to Reduce Your Risk of Hearing Loss

 Florida Ear Nose Throat

Facial Plastic Surgery Center
877-EAR-NOSE

www.FloridaENT.com

Hearing loss is one of the most frustrating, and unfortunately one of the most common occurrences that happens to people of all ages - especially those who are aging. Genetic makeup is a common cause of hearing loss, but oftentimes it is also due to exposure of loud noises. That being said, you might be wondering the answers to these questions:

What are the warning signs of hearing loss?

• You hear ringing or buzzing in your ears after noise exposure
• You have difficulty understanding people after exposure to noise
• You experience a “fullness” in your ears after leaving a noisy environment

How do I protect myself from noise damage?

• Block out noise by wearing earplugs and earmuffs when necessary
• Avoid loud sounds by putting hands over ears if you can’t avoid a noisy situation
• Turn the volume down and keep earbud volumes to a minimum
• Limit exposure to noisy activities at home.

They key is to be alert to risks of hazardous noise in your everyday life.

At Florida ENT, we are committed to helping patients who suffer from hearing loss at all levels of severity and at any stage. Utilizing the latest advances in medicine combined with the state-of-the-art techniques, our goal is to treat our patients with comfort and compassion. Our general and specialized services include:To learn more about the services we provide, please call us today at 407-944-3340 to schedule an appointment. 

The Sinus Sufferers' Guide to A Restful Sleep

 Florida Ear Nose Throat

Facial Plastic Surgery Center
877-EAR-NOSE

www.FloridaENT.com

The environment you sleep in is everything, especially for those who suffer from allergies and sinus infections. Getting a restful sleep is important for so many reasons, but if you’re not relaxing in a clean and comfortable space, you can only make your symptoms worse. That being said, we have a few pointers for getting a good night’s sleep: 

Keep pets out
Pet dander can lead to more sinus issues and breathing complications. So as much as you love your furry companions, make a comfortable space for them either right outside your door or on the opposite side of the bedroom in a cozy bed. Having them sleep in bed with you can only make allergies worse. 

Buy an air filter
Dust and other allergens can make it more difficult to breathe in your bedroom. By using an air filter, you can filtrate allergens and restore fresh, clean air for a comfortable sleep.

Clean sheet regularly
Cleaning your sheets weekly is essential - especially if you’re extra sensitive to dust. And every time you open your bedroom window, more allergens become airborne and get caught in your bed sheets. By washing them on a regular basis, you can help keep seasonal allergies at bay.

Use a nasal spray
Use a saline solution to rinse out the sinus area. Repeat every night before bedtime to help you feel less congested before you lie down for sleep.

Sleep on your side
Some doctors recommend sleeping on your side to fight the uncomfortable feeling of postnasal drip, which will reduce the amount of sore throats you experience upon waking up.

Can’t get sleep to sleep without feeling miserable from your allergies or sinuses? We encourage you to give our Sinus & Facial Plastics Institute a call to schedule an appointment. We offer allergy screening, allergy management and immunotherapy. To schedule an appoint, give us a call at (877) EAR-NOSE. For more information about our office, visit www.floridaent.com.

How Hearing Loss Truly Impacts Your Life

Florida Ear Nose Throat

Facial Plastic Surgery Center
877-EAR-NOSE

www.FloridaENT.com

 A whopping 38 million people in America between the ages of 65 and 74 have hearing loss, and it’s no easy feat. The challenge of hearing is difficult, but the impact it has on your daily life runs deeper. From the emotional to the financial well-being, you’ll want to hear this:

The Effects
Studies have associated untreated hearing loss with these effects:

• Irritability, negativism, and anger
• Fatigue, tension, and depression
• Reduced alertness and increased risk of personal safety
• Impaired memory and ability to learn new tasks
• Withdrawal from certain social situations

How, might you ask, does this impact your life? Well, in many ways, your social, personal, and professional life can alter from this health condition. Here’s how:

Education and Employment
The great news is that surveys show no prevalence in employment or education. Despite the effects, individuals function “quite well” and are fully able to perform their daily tasks with no problem. In fact, many people are delaying retirement due to the need for financial stability. However, that does not mean there aren’t times of frustration and difficulty during a certain task - it’s a constant struggle, but it can luckily be fought.

In the Home
The home might be a little bit of a different story, solely because of the effect it has on family and friends. The are emotional ties attached to hearing loss, such as anger and frustration. There needs to be a great deal of understanding in a household if you suspect someone close to you suffers from the effects of hearing loss. Be kind, be gentle, and don’t be afraid to speak slowly and repeat. This should make the change slightly easier to adjust to.

If you or someone you know suffers from hearing loss, learn about audiologic testing.

The doctors at Florida ENT specialize in hearing loss and offer many different resources to you. For more information about hearing aids or hearing loss in general, give us a call at (877) EAR-NOSE today! 

Natural Ways to Relieve Sinus Pressure

Florida Ear Nose Throat

Facial Plastic Surgery Center
877-EAR-NOSE

www.FloridaENT.com

 Everyone who has ever had a sinus infection knows that sinus pressure and nasal congestion are two of the post irritating symptoms - sometimes even unbearable. When the pain worsens in morning and night, you want nothing more than to reach for the medicine cabinet. While we do believe in the benefits of anti-inflammatories and antibiotics, we have a few natural methods that will help cure you as well:

Humidity
What blocks your sinus drainage and traps viruses more than anything else is the dry, thick mucus in your nose. Increase your exposure to humidity can thin out the mucus and get things moving again. Try using a humidifier and taking steamy showers. A cup of hot tea or soup can help too.

Saline
The best way to cleanse the nose and sinuses and relieve sinus pain is saline. Purchase an over-the-counter saline nasal spray to combat nasal irritation - no medicine necessary.

Hot and cold compress
Reclining your head and placing a hot washcloth across your sinuses can help warm the nasal passages and loosen secretions.Then, place a cold towel over your sinuses for pain relief. Start by placing the hot towel across your sinuses for about three minutes. Then switch to the cool cloth for about 30 seconds. Alternate several times throughout the day.

Deep breathing
Relaxation and deep breathing techniques are known to effectively relieve sinus pain. Why, you may ask? Because these practices rely on the mind’s ability to influence pain perception, often associated with sinus pressure. Yoga, meditation, and hypnotherapy are all great options.

If these natural remedies just aren’t cutting it and the pain worsens, we encourage you to give our Sinus & Facial Plastics Institute a call to schedule an appointment. Our facility, located in central Florida, is dedicated to the complete medical care of the nose, both cosmetic and functional. To learn more about our sinus institute, please visit our website or call 407-944-3340.