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Winter Rain & Hearing Aids: A Practical Care Checklist
As winter brings winter rain, it’s time to consider how the increased moisture levels could impact your hearing aids. We’ve compiled some practical tips to make sure your hearing aids stay in good working order throughout the wet season. Can Rain Damage Hearing Aids? Like any other electronic device, hearing aids shouldn’t be exposed to
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When Winter Congestion Becomes Chronic
The weather is definitely cooling down here in upstate South Carolina as we approach winter. You’ll notice an uptick in sinus issues when the weather gets cold, including congestion, a runny nose or even a sinus infection. Sinus issues have many possible causes, so let’s discuss why your sinus issues get worse in the winter
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How to Host an Allergy-Free Holiday Gathering
We’re halfway through November, and the holiday season is approaching fast! If you’re planning on hosting a holiday get-together in your home, you’ve probably been preoccupied with planning the menu, the schedule and the décor, among other logistical concerns. Don’t forget to factor potential allergies into your plans. Communicate with Guests The first thing you
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What You Need to Know About Motorcycles and Hearing Loss
The season for riding your motorcycle is winding down as the weather cools, but it’s not over yet. While you get in the last few rides, don’t forget about the effect riding a motorcycle can have on your hearing. What Causes Hearing Loss in Motorcyclists? Motorcycle engines are loud, but you may be surprised to
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Are You Blowing Your Nose Correctly?
With cold and flu season upon us, stuffy and runny noses are going to become more common. You may be surprised to learn that there’s a right and a wrong way to blow your nose, and doing it wrong can have some significant effects. How to Blow Your Nose Focusing on one nostril at a
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The Different Types of Sore Throat
Undoubtedly, you’ve experienced a sore throat before. All sore throats occur due to inflammation in the throat, but there are actually three subtypes of sore throat, and they’re sorted according to which part of the throat is experiencing inflammation. The subtypes are pharyngitis, laryngitis and tonsillitis, and they affect the pharynx, the larynx and the
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How To Know You’re Dealing with Listening Fatigue
If you’ve been feeling abnormally or overly tired at the end of the day, especially on days when you were socializing a lot or doing a lot of listening, like at lectures or a conference, you may be experiencing listening fatigue. Hearing and paying attention are more tiring than we realize, but they can be
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The Connection Between Your Jaw and Tinnitus
Tinnitus is a relatively common phenomenon, affecting 50 million Americans. It’s characterized by the perception of a phantom sound, such as ringing, humming or buzzing, in the ear with no external source. Tinnitus can be caused by a wide variety of other conditions, ranging from loud noise exposure to cardiovascular disease to ear injury. Research
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What to Know About Sinus Infections During Allergy Season
We’re not out of the weeds yet for allergy season: ragweed begins flowering in August. If your allergies trigger strong sinus issues—such as an itchy, runny nose and lots of sneezing—you may be at risk for developing a sinus infection. Allergies and sinus infections have many similar symptoms, but they can last longer, and symptoms
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Signs Your Sinus Infection Is Chronic
A sinus infection occurs when the sinuses—the spaces inside the nose and head—become blocked and can’t drain mucus. This results in a stuffy nose, facial pressure, headaches, postnasal drip and fever. Also known as sinusitis, a sinus infection usually lasts about a week and will go away on its own. But if symptoms last over