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Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
What is "swimmer's ear" and what is the best way to deal with it?
Swimmer's ear is a term commonly used to describe an infection of the ear canal. People who repeatedly wet the ear canal (swimming, surfing, scuba diving) can develop persistent dampness that allows either bact... continue reading about What is "swimmer's ear" and what is the best way to deal with it?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
What would cause a muffled thumping sound in my left ear (almost like hearing a heart beat)? This sound is not in the right ear, only the left. It doesn't happen all the time and there is no hearing loss.
A couple of possible answers come to mind. First, there is a large source of blood flow in your head close to the bottom of your ear canal. The carotid artery is large and can sometimes produce a pounding or he... continue reading about What would cause a muffled thumping sound in my left ear (almost like hearing a heart beat)? This sound is not in the right ear, only the left. It doesn't happen all the time and there is no hearing loss.
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
My 7-year-old son gets nosebleeds often. What causes them and can they be prevented?
Generally nose bleeds occur because the small blood vessels are shallow within the tissues of the nose. This is normal, but the constantly wetting then drying of the nose can cause the nasal tissue to crack (si... continue reading about My 7-year-old son gets nosebleeds often. What causes them and can they be prevented?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
I have moderate hearing loss in both ears. I've been fitted with behind the ear hearing aids at three centers with no real improvement in discerning speech (ambient noise comes through loud and clear). Which are best to help me hear normal conversations?
There are many brands of hearing aids and some are clearly more advanced than others. Without seeing your hearing test and taking a thorough history of your listening needs, it is hard to say what would work th... continue reading about I have moderate hearing loss in both ears. I've been fitted with behind the ear hearing aids at three centers with no real improvement in discerning speech (ambient noise comes through loud and clear). Which are best to help me hear normal conversations?
Ruwan Kiringoda, M.D.
Palo Alto Foundation Medical Group
What can I do to prevent hearing loss as I get older? I have a family history of hearing loss and wonder if I can do anything to avoid it.
Hearing loss is not always inevitable for everyone. There are many factors that contribute to hearing loss and aging. The most common is noise exposure over many years. Noise exposure can be as slight as workin... continue reading about What can I do to prevent hearing loss as I get older? I have a family history of hearing loss and wonder if I can do anything to avoid it.
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
I've been taking antibiotics for an ear infection for about six days, but my ears won't stop ringing. Is there anything I can do to stop this?
It is important for you to finish all your antibiotics as prescribed by your doctor. If you finish the antibiotics and your ears are still clogged or ringing, request an appointment for a hearing evaluation and... continue reading about I've been taking antibiotics for an ear infection for about six days, but my ears won't stop ringing. Is there anything I can do to stop this?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
I have a seasonal reoccurring rash. Can this be related to allergies?
Usually when someone has a “seasonal” allergy, it means springtime symptoms caused by pollen. Although pollen allergy certainly can cause nasal, eye or asthma symptoms, it rarely would cause a rash ... continue reading about I have a seasonal reoccurring rash. Can this be related to allergies?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
I recently read that hearing loss is more common in people with heart disease or those who've had a heart attack. Why would this be?
Many articles have been written about the connection between decreased blood flow from cardiovascular disease and hearing loss. The inner ear is very small, and changes in blood flow in the body can cause the r... continue reading about I recently read that hearing loss is more common in people with heart disease or those who've had a heart attack. Why would this be?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
It's hard for me to follow a conversation when two or more people talk at once. I'm a 48-year-old woman who has had no hearing problems in the past. Should I be concerned?
Hearing loss is often the main culprit with concerns about communication difficulties. Communication is the ability to hear, listen and respond to others appropriately. In order to hear, the auditory system (ou... continue reading about It's hard for me to follow a conversation when two or more people talk at once. I'm a 48-year-old woman who has had no hearing problems in the past. Should I be concerned?
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