What is Hyperacusis and How Can I Treat it?

If you’ve ever stood too close to a speaker or microphone right as it was turned on, you probably remember the sharp, high pitched noise that cut through your ear. While this was hopefully only a one time occurrence for you, this is what people with hyperacusis experience all the time.

What is Hyperacusis?

Hyperacusis is a health condition that causes an increased sensitivity to certain sounds and frequencies. Someone with severe hyperacusis might find everyday noises, like a person laughing or a car honking, to be unbearably loud and even painful.

What Causes it?

It’s possible to be born with hyperacusis or to develop it over time. It’s most often caused by physical damage to the inner ear, either while in utero or as a child.  Research also suggests hyperacusis can be acquired as a result of damage to the brain or neurological system. In this case, though the ear is physically fine, improper connections in the brain cause it to amplify sound.

Can it be Treated?

Though hyperacusis can never be cured, there are several treatment options for it, including:

• Sound generators: Sound generators look similar to hearing aids, but work the opposite way. Instead of amplifying incoming sound waves, they emit broadband pink noise, which dulls incoming sounds.
• Pink sound CDs: Pink noise (which is sound comprised of equal amounts of energy per octave) can retrain a person’s ear and help them to better tolerate sound.
• Noise cancelling ear protection: If a person suddenly develops hyperacusis, they may just want to block out sound completely with noise cancelling headphones. Though this works for a brief period (6 - 12 months) it will only exacerbate the problem in the long run.
• Steroids: Steroids can be used to relax ear muscles and treat hyperacusis, but only if they are administered within the first 72 hours of the initial symptoms.

At Florida ENT, we are committed to helping patients who suffer from hearing problems and inner ear damage. Utilizing the latest advances in medicine and state-of-the-art techniques, our goal is to treat our patients with comfort and compassion. To learn more about the services we provide, please call us today at 407-944-3340 to schedule an appointment.

Sleep Habits Everyone Should Practice for Good ENT Health

There’s no worse feeling than knowing you have to be up in a few hours but just can’t manage to fall asleep. As researchers are beginning to understand just how prevalent a lack of sleep is in the United States, the CDC recently declared insufficient sleep a public health problem. If you have difficulty falling or staying asleep, here are a few things you can do to help.

Go to bed at the same time.

There’s a reason why we put our kids to bed at the same time every night. A set bedtime lets your body “know” when it’s time to wind down. You should also have a regular nighttime routine that starts at the same time every night. This will help your body realize it’s almost time for bed and help you to relax.

‘Turn off’ before bed.

Lots of people think that sitting on their phone or watching TV is a good way to wind down before bed, but electronics in the bedroom actually stimulate your brain and can make it harder for you to fall asleep. Instead of grabbing your phone, read a book, color, draw, or meditate before bed.

Avoid alcohol and caffeine after 5pm.

While we’ve all heard rumors that a nightcap before bed can help you sleep, alcohol actually disrupts your REM sleep. And if you suffer from sleep apnea, alcohol can cause the muscles in your throat to relax, which will exacerbate your symptoms. Caffeinated drinks are also an obvious no-no right before bed, but people often forget that the effects of caffeine can stay in your system long after your last cup of coffee. Research suggests that you shouldn’t have any caffeine five hours before you plan on going to sleep.

Make your bedroom comfortable.

On those hot Florida nights, it can be hard to fall asleep without the air on. While central air may make the temperature of your room feel better, it can actually be contributing to poor sleep. That ‘stale’ air can dry out your room and throat, meaning you’re likely to wake up in the middle of the night coughing. Before heading to bed, make sure the humidity levels in your room are normal.

If you're having difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or suffer from sleep apnea, we encourage you to make an appointment at Florida Ear Nose Throat right away. We can help diagnose and manage sleep apnea with the latest procedures and therapies. To schedule an appoint, give us a call at (877) EAR-NOSE.

6 Ways to Protect Your Hearing This Winter

With more than half of the country still covered in snow from last week’s polar vortex, it’s clear Old Man Winter is here to stay for a while. While most of us know to bundle up in sweaters, thick socks, and gloves, we often forget to cover another important body part - our ears. During the winter, cold air can get trapped in your ear canal and cause a number of health problems, like ear infections and vertigo. If you’re heading out into the cold this winter, here are a few things to avoid.

Noise

Heading out to a sports game, concert or just getting the snow blower out? Better grab your ear muffs. Despite being one of the most preventable causes, hearing loss due to noise affects thousands of people every year.

Falling on Ice

Those with hearing loss are three times as likely to suffer a dangerous fall than people without, so make sure your walkway is always shoveled, salted and well lit.

Ear Infections

We all know to be weary of cold and flu season, but do you know about ear infection season? Low humidity and cold temperatures make winter the prime time for ear, nose, and throat infections. But luckily you can kill two birds with one stone by getting the flu shot and washing your hands regularly.

Freezing Temperatures

Grab your earmuffs, hats and scarves, because the temperature is still averaging 30 degrees in the Northeast. Consistent exposure to cold air can cause exostosis, the abnormal formation of new bone on existing bone.

Air Travel

If you’re planning on traveling north, make sure you’re in good health. Even a slight cold can lead to a blockage in the eustachian (auditory) tube, which is responsible for equalizing pressure.

Frozen Hearing Aids

Even if you’re not necessarily bothered by the cold, your technology might be. Before you head outside on a cold day, grab a hat or scarf to cover your hearing aids. The cold will primarily affect the batteries, causing them to cut out and die faster than usual.

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 and state-of-the-art techniques, our goal is to treat our patients with comfort and compassion. To learn more about the services we provide, call us today at 407-944-3340.  

Could Regular Exercise Help Your ENT Health?

Looking for a little more motivation to go to the gym? A recent study from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) may have just given us one more reason to hit the treadmill. While we all know regular exercise boosts your energy and immune system, this new study suggests that your hearing is directly tied to your heart’s health.

Hearing loss can be caused by several factors: loss of inner ear hair follicles, physical damage to your eardrum and noise-induced hearing loss. In this study, it was discovered that decreased blood flow to your head can also be a major cause of hearing loss.

Author of the study, Dr. Kathleen Hutchinson, said she believed cardiovascular fitness contributes to better “neural integrity” in the cochlea, the part of the ear responsible for hearing. When blood flow is significant to the outer hair cells, they receive more oxygen. However, Hutchinson did admit that people who work out regularly and try to be “heart-healthy” probably also lead a more health conscious life, and thus take precautions against disease and limit their exposure to loud noises.

Though cardiovascular health is important for people of any age, it was shown to be especially crucial for people over 50. It was discovered that one participant in his 50s, who worked out five days a week, had the hearing capacity of a 30-year-old.

The U.S. Surgeons General’s report on Physical Activity and Health recommends everyone, regardless of age or gender, engage in aerobic exercise (biking, swimming, running or walking) for roughly 30 minutes a day, five days a week.

Unfortunately though, not everyone will be able to take advantage of the study’s findings. Hutchinson said that people who already experience hearing loss or are genetically predisposed to hearing sensitivity will not benefit from increased cardiovascular activities.

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 and state-of-the-art techniques, our goal is to treat our patients with comfort and compassion. To learn more about the services we provide, please call us today at 407-944-3340 to schedule an appointment.