Tag: health

Should I be Using Cotton Swabs to Clean my Ears – Earwax Removal

by malam53, posted in Blog

Many patients often use a cotton swab to remove cerumen (medical term for earwax). While it may provide temporary relief from itching or remove some superficial cerumen, majority of research suggests against its use. Otolaryngologists advise against the use of cotton swabs worldwide and complications need to be raised in the public (1). Todays post will further explore information about cerumen, benefits, symptoms of excessive cerumen, management approaches used and recommendations for public regarding cerumen management.

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Should I Be Wearing Hearing Protection?

by malam53, posted in Blog, Uncategorized

Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is a preventable type of inner ear hearing loss that affects approximately 5% of the world’s population (1). According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), workers are recommended to wear hearing protection for workplace noise exposure levels equaling 85 dBA and it is mandatory to wear it when noise exceeds 85 dBA calculated over an 8-hour shift (2,3). The consequences of NIHL can include symptoms of tinnitus and hyperacusis (refer to other posts for more information) and can significantly impact one’s quality of life. This post will explore more about NIHL and the appropriate hearing protection and conservation measures that are important to consider to help mitigate its effects.

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Why Does it Feel Like I’m Spinning?

by malam53, posted in Blog

Vertigo is a common phenomenon seen in patients with and without hearing loss. It is described as the perceived movement or spinning sensation of one’s surroundings without actual physical movement. Research indicates that over 20 percent of patients with hearing loss have had an incidence of vertigo in their life (1). Vertigo can be present as a symptom in both peripheral (inner ear) or central (nervous system) related pathology. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is seen in 44 percent of patients and is the most common occurrence and most successfully treated inner ear dysfunction.  Other conditions affecting the vestibular system include vertebrobasilar insufficiency, meniere’s disease and sudden sensorineural hearing loss (1).  The focus of the discussion will be on BPPV as it is the most common clinical presentation of vertigo.

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