Excessive ear wax and ear wax removal in children: understanding the basics
As a parent, it's common to worry about your child's hearing and overall health. Earwax, also known as cerumin, is a natural substance produced by the ceruminous glands in the ear canal. While earwax is a normal and healthy substance, it can sometimes build up and become impacted, leading to symptoms such as hearing loss, earache, tinnitus, and vertigo.
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) is a type of dizziness that affects many adults. It is caused by a problem with the inner ear and can lead to severe dizziness and vertigo.
Sound Therapy: an effective tinnitus management tool
Sound therapy and Zen therapy are two popular and evidence-based techniques for managing tinnitus. These therapies offer an alternative approach to help people who suffer from tinnitus, a condition where one hears ringing, whistling, or buzzing sounds in the absence of an external source.
Hearing aids: types and technology
Hearing loss can be a challenging experience, but with advances in technology, the options for managing it have expanded greatly. Today, hearing aids come in various shapes, sizes, and styles, and utilise a wide range of sophisticated technologies.
Concussion and brain injury: can they result in tinnitus?
You may be surprised to learn that tinnitus, a condition characterised by ringing, buzzing, or other noises in the ear that are not externally generated, can be an outcome of a brain injury or concussion. While not everyone who experiences a concussion or brain injury will develop tinnitus, it is important to understand the relationship between the two and the impact they can have on your hearing and overall well-being.
How to manage suspected hearing loss in your partner
I often see patients who are resistant to the idea that they are gradually losing their hearing and may require amplification to improve their communication and engagement with friends, family and loved ones. The partners of these patients, such as their husband or wife, often see this gradual change and recognise it early, but struggle to convince their partner to seek help.
Cochlear implants
For people with severe to profound hearing loss, we often have a lot of questions regarding the benefits of cochlear implants. Cochlear implant surgery is complex and the information can be overwhelming. This article will cover the basics of cochlear implantation, including what happens during the surgery, how long recovery takes, and what you can expect during your recovery process.
Cholesteatoma: understanding and managing this uncommon ear condition
Cholesteatoma is a non-cancerous growth in the middle ear, behind the eardrum. This growth is made up of skin cells and can cause serious damage to the delicate structures of the middle ear, including the bones that transmit sound and the inner ear. Cholesteatoma can cause a range of symptoms, and can be difficult to diagnose and manage.
Auditory Processing Disorder: understanding the condition and its treatment
As a parent, it can be concerning to suspect that your child may have a hearing problem. One type of hearing problem that some children may experience is auditory processing disorder (APD). This condition is not related to the actual ability to hear, but rather to the way the brain processes sound. In this article, we will go over what APD is, how it is diagnosed, and what you can do to help your child.
Acoustic Neuroma: understanding the condition and treatment options
Acoustic neuroma (sometimes known as vestibular schwannoma) is a rare condition that affects the balance and hearing nerve in the inner ear. It is a slow-growing, benign tumour that forms on the main nerve connecting the inner ear to the brain. In this article, we will discuss the causes, diagnosis, and treatment of acoustic neuroma, and what you can expect after a diagnosis.
A guide to Tinnitus Retraining Therapy
Tinnitus, a persistent ringing or buzzing in the ears, can be a distressing and disruptive condition for those who suffer from it. It can be particularly difficult when it affects a person's daily life, causing difficulty with sleeping, concentration, and overall quality of life. Fortunately, there are various treatments available, including Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT), which can help manage the symptoms and provide long-term relief.
Misophonia: Understanding this uncommon condition
Misophonia is a condition characterised by an extreme and sometimes irrational negative emotional response of certain sounds. While the exact causes of misophonia are not fully understood, it is believed to be a result of a combination of psychological, neurological, and physiological factors.
Endolymphatic hydrops: understanding the condition and available treatments
Learn about endolymphatic hydrops, a condition that can cause a range of hearing and balance symptoms. In this article, you’ll learn an overview of the condition, its causes, and the available treatments to better understand endolymphatic hydrops and what you can do to manage it.
Middle ear effusion or glue ear in adults: an overview
Middle ear effusion, also known as "glue ear," is a condition that affects the middle ear and can lead to hearing difficulties. Despite being commonly thought of as a childhood condition, middle ear effusion can also occur in adults. Learn about the common causes, diagnosis, treatment, and what a successful outcome looks like for middle ear effusion in adults.
Cognitive decline in early onset hearing loss in Caucasian males
Hearing loss is a common issue that affects 1 in 6 Kiwis, but did you know that early onset hearing loss may also be linked to cognitive decline? Research has shown that there is a link between hearing loss and cognitive decline, particularly in cases of early onset hearing loss.
Tonsillectomy: understanding the procedure for your child
A tonsillectomy is a common procedure that can provide numerous benefits for your child, including relief from hearing loss. As a parent, it can be scary to think about your child undergoing surgery. Learn more about this common procedure now.
Vertigo: understanding the causes and management
Vertigo is a common condition that can cause a sense of spinning or disorientation. Many adults experience vertigo at some point in their lives, and it can be a frustrating and disorienting experience. However, with proper treatment and care, vertigo can be managed effectively.
Ear wax management in adults
Earwax, also known as cerumin, is a natural substance produced by the ceruminous glands in the ear canal. While earwax is a normal and healthy substance, it can sometimes build up and become impacted, leading to symptoms such as hearing loss, earache, tinnitus, and vertigo.
Hearing loss: understanding the differences between sensorineural and conductive hearing loss
There are two main types of hearing loss, sensorineural and conductive, and it is important to understand the differences between the two in order to determine the best course of action for treatment.
Otitis Externa: understanding Swimmer's Ear in adults
Otitis Externa, also known as Swimmer's Ear is an infection of the external ear canal, and can cause pain, itching, and discharge. While it is most common in children, adults can also be affected by this condition, especially those who spend a lot of time in the water.