Which is Safer? Headphones or Earphones?

Whether you’re at the gym or going for a run, or simply want to listen to something on a more personal level, having earphones or headphones can be very beneficial. When purchasing either of these, there are many factors you should consider.


From style and cost to comfort and performance, these all play a part in the decision making when it comes to personal listening devices.


Before you make a decision, learn some of the differences between headphones and earphones:

How They Deliver Sound

Typically referred to as earbuds, earphones sit inside the ear, pushing music and other sounds directly into your ear canal. Over the ear headphones typically cup around the ears, leaving space between the speaker and your ear.


When it comes to sound and delivery, over the ear headphones provide many benefits whereas the earphones can be more dangerous. Choosing over the ear headphones can help with the comfort of the sound, as well as prevent hearing damage if used correctly.

Using Headphones and Earphones Correctly

Whether you choose headphones or earphones, you still must take precaution as both can damage the ear and affect your hearing. You don’t want to leave your headphones or earphones on too long or put them at a high volume level.


You should follow the 60/60 rule when it comes to personal listening devices. Make sure you don’t listen to sound higher than 60% volume and don’t listen for more than 60 minutes at a time. Typically, the design elements shouldn’t be a cause for concern, but the way you listen to sound and the delivery of it can make an impact.


If you have hearing damage or need to speak with someone about pain you’ve been feeling in your ear, Florida ENT is here to help. Schedule an appointment with us today and we can take a look at your ear, diagnose the problem, and provide the right remedy for you.

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. 

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! 

The 5 Types of Audiological Testing

Florida Ear Nose Throat

Facial Plastic Surgery Center

877-EAR-NOSE

www.FloridaENT.com

Do you or someone you love suffer from hearing loss? The best thing you can do to get to the core of the problem is to go for audiologic testing. Through audiologic testing,  you can determine the severity and best treatment. At Florida ENT, we offer a wide range of audiologic testing from the basic diagnostic test to the more advanced examinations.

Audiogram 
Function: An audiogram uses sounds of specific frequencies and intensity levels to determine what a person can hear in each ear.
The sounds are heard through headphones, and the patient is asked to identify each sound and the ear in which it was heard. The sounds become fainter and fainter, ultimately determining the lowest level at which a patient can hear. An audiogram may also include speech in the form of two-syllable words to determine how well a patient can comprehend what is being heard. For results to be considered normal, a patient must be able to hear a normal speaking voice, a whisper and the ticking of a watch.

Tympanometry
Function: Tympanometry examines and diagnoses the middle ear by varying air pressure in the ear canal to see how the ear responds.
A probe is inserted into the ear to change the air pressure, produce a tone and measure the responses. The patient may not speak, move or swallow during the test because doing so can affect ear pressure. Tympanometry measures the functionality of the eardrum (tympanic membrane). Abnormal findings may be the result of fluid in the middle ear, a perforated ear drum or impacted ear wax.

Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response Test
Function: The brainstem auditory evoked response test (BAER) examines brain waves that have been stimulated by a clicking sound in order to evaluate the auditory pathways in the brain. 
Electrodes are placed on the scalp and earlobes, and the patient listens to a clicking noise through headphones. The electrodes record the brain's reaction. The BAER is commonly used to diagnose nervous-system abnormalities and hearing loss in infants and children.

Otoacoustic Emissions Test
Function: Otoacoustic emissions testing (OAE) measures response to sound from the cochlea.
 The hair cells inside the cochlea vibrate in response to sound. The test is performed by inserting a microphone and two speakers into the ear to emit a sound and then record the response signal. The test is often performed on children when hearing loss is a possibility. Absent or very soft response signals may be the result of hearing loss, fluid behind the ears or damage to the cochlea.

Videonystagmography
Function: Videonystagmography (VNG) is a test used to record involuntary eye movement called "nystagmus."
The test generates nystagmus, and the resulting recorded data determines the vestibular ocular reflex. The VNG is a basic balance test used to diagnose patients with symptoms of dizziness. The VNG is actually composed of seven different tests that help to determine whether dizziness results from a dysfunctions of the ear or from a different factor.

For more information on hearing loss, visit our website, or call (877) EAR-NOSE to schedule an appointment!

Types of Audiologic Testing

 Florida Ear Nose Throat

Facial Plastic Surgery Center

877-EAR-NOSE

www.FloridaENT.com

Patients who suffer from hearing loss or suspect they might have another hearing and balance-related condition may benefit from audiologic testing. At Florida ENT, we offer many different types of audiologic testing for any type of hearing or imbalance a patient might be dealing with. The follow are three of the tests we commonly use:

Audiogram
How it works: Uses sounds of specific frequencies and intensity levels to determine what a person can hear in each ear.
This is your typical physician check-up, where a patient hears sounds through headphones. The patient is then asked to identify each sound and in which hear it was heard. The sounds become fainter and farther as the test progresses and the goal is to determine the lowest level at which the patient can hear.

Tympanometry
How it works: Examines and diagnoses the middle ear by varying air pressure in the ear canal to see how the ear responds.   
Tympanometry measures the functionality of the year drum. To avoid affecting ear pressure, patients may not move, speak, or swallow during the test. Any abnormal findings could be fluid in the middle ear or impacted ear wax.

Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response Test
How it works: Examines brain waves that have been stimulated by a clicking sound in order to evaluate the auditory pathways in the brain.
As the patient listens to a clicking noise through headphones, electrodes are placed on the scalp and earlobes. The electrodes record the brain’s reaction and the audiologist will test for diagnose nervous-system abnormalities and hearing loss. The BAER test is commonly used with infants and children.

To learn about other types of audiologic testing, click here.

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!

Top Signs of Hearing Loss

Florida Ear Nose Throat

Facial Plastic Surgery Center

877-EAR-NOSE

www.FloridaENT.com

 

Hearing loss can occur for many reasons. This health concern involves damage to the inner ear. It might be tied to aging or exposure to loud noise, ultimately tearing the nerve cells in the cochlea, which send signals to the brain.

For family and friends, it can be a challenge, and sometimes it isn’t recognized right off the bat. However, if you or someone you know ponders the possibility of hearing loss, ask these questions:

• Often ask people to repeat what they say?
• Have trouble hearing in groups?
• Think others are mumbling?
• Turn up the volume on the TV or car radio?
• Difficulty hearing on the phone?
• Fail to hear someone talking behind them?
• Have difficulty hearing at the movies?
• Dread going to noisy parties and restaurants?

Other points to consider if you think you or someone you know suffers from hearing loss are:

• Friends and family are likely the first to recognize the problem, long before the person does.
• Typically in the early stage, the individual might deny a problem. This is understandable, considering he/she might be doing fairly well regardless.
• A major complaint of people with hearing loss is the difficulty they experience in comprehending speech in any kind of noisy place, such as a restaurant or in the car.

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.

Hearing Aids 101

Florida Ear Nose Throat

Facial Plastic Surgery Center

877-EAR-NOSE

www.FloridaENT.com

For most first-time hearing aid users, knowing which questions to ask can be tricky. You also might be questioning which hearing aid you will need. For all the things you might be asking yourself, we’ve got your answers:

How does a hearing aid work?
The microphone in the aid picks up sound in the environment. Changes in the electric energy go to a set of amplifiers and adjusting circuits. The signal is then sent to a mini speaker and is delivered to the ear.

How can I recognize my hearing problems?
Typically, hearing loss can begin with pain or discomfort. Aside from visiting a specialist, here are a few questions you can ask yourself:

• Do I often ask people to repeat themselves?
• Do I have trouble following conversations with several people?
• Do I have difficulty hearing what is said unless directly facing the speaker?
• Do I prefer the TV volume to be louder than others favor?
• Do I experience ringing or buzzing in my ears?

What types of hearing aids are there?
There are three basic types of hearing aids, which vary in size, placement, and degree of amplification. Determining the best style depends on the severity of hearing loss. Types of aids include:

• Behind the Ear (BTE)
• In the Ear (ITE)
• In the Canal (ITC)

Find out how they all work differently.

At Florida ENT, we are committed to helping patients who suffer from hearing loss at all levels of severity. 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.

Causes of Hearing Loss

Florida Ear Nose Throat

Facial Plastic Surgery Center

877-EAR-NOSE

www.FloridaENT.com

Simply put, hearing loss is the sudden or gradual decrease in hearing. Did you know hearing loss can be temporary, permanent, mild, severe, reversible and can affect one or both ears? If you're suffering from hearing loss, you're not the only one. Hearing loss affects up to 25% of individuals between the age of 65 and 75 and up to 50% of people over the age of 75.

Although the most common cause of hearing loss is age, there are some other causes as well. They include:

• Chronic exposure to loud noise
• Wax buildup in one or both ears
• Runs in the family
• Fluid buildup caused by ear infections
• Object stuck in the ear canal
• Ototoxic medication

If you're suffering from hearing loss, there are a few measures that can be taken to help treat it depending on the cause. We encourage you to give our office a call today to learn more about how we can help you handle hearing loss. For more information, visit www.floridaent.com or call 877-EAR-NOSE.

Hearing Aids

Florida Ear Nose Throat

Facial Plastic Surgery Center

877-EAR-NOSE

www.FloridaENT.com

Hearing aids are a common treatment option for those who are experiencing hearing loss. This non-invasive treatment is worn in or behind the ear to amplify sounds in order to improve listening and communication. It is important to know that hearing aids do not cure or improve hearing impairment, they simply increase the volume at which you hear. If your reception to sound is the problem, hearing aids may not be the resolution.

The three basic styles of hearing aids are:

Behind the Ear (BTE) - The BTE aid is worn behind the ear with a plastic mold placed inside the outer ear. Technology has advanced so the plastic mold can be switched out for a small plastic tube leading into the ear canal. This new BTE provides a clearer sound and also protects the device from wax buildup. Users include those with mild to profound hearing loss.

In the Ear (ITE) - The ITE aid is a smaller device that sits in the outer ear. These aids are not recommended for children because they can be outgrown easily. Users include those with mild to severe hearing loss.

In the Canal (ITC) - The ITC aid is the smallest of the three aids and will either fit partially in the canal or completely in the canal. Canal aids are worn by mostly those with mild to moderate hearing loss due to the limited space for batteries and attachments.

How they work:

Analog Hearing Aids - Sound waves are converted into electrical signals which are then amplified and transmitted to the ear. Analog aids can be altered and customized by the patient for different listening environments. They can be custom made for certain types of hearing loss and can be used in all styles of hearing aids.

Digital Hearing Aids - Sound waves are converted into numerical codes which are then amplified and transmitted to the ear. Digital aids are programmable to allow the user to focus on sounds coming from a certain direction. These aids are more expensive than the analog version.

If your specific hearing loss can be treated by the use of a hearing aid, then a hearing aid is a worthwhile investment. If you are considering purchasing a hearing aid, be sure to consult with your doctor beforehand. The doctors at Florida ENT specialize in hearing loss and can help in the process of designing the perfect hearing aid for you! For more information about hearing aids or hearing loss in general, give us a call at (877) EAR-NOSE today!