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What Causes Ear Pressure, and What are Some Solutions?

6/10/2022

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Have you noticed a cold or flu can also make your ears feel stuffy? Your ears, nose, and throat are interconnected, so when you have a problem in one area, it can cause problems in the other areas. Congestion in the ear(s) is just one of numerous symptoms that can occur when there’s an issue with the nose, sinuses, or throat.    

The Cause of Ear Pressure

The small passageway that links your middle ear to your throat is known as the Eustachian tube. This tube helps to balance the pressure in your middle ear by opening up whenever you sneeze, swallow, or yawn. This system stops air pressure and fluid from accumulating inside your ear canal, behind the eardrum.   

When there’s an obstruction in the Eustachian tube, noises can sound muffled. It’s normal to feel pressure, pain, and fullness in your ears. Your Eustachian tubes can become partially blocked due to allergies, colds, flus, or sinus infections. Inflamed tissues and mucus discharge are primary reasons for dysfunction in the Eustachian tube.      

Air travel or traveling up high altitudes can also change the way your Eustachian tubes are not functioning properly. 

Tips to Relieve Ear Pressure

In order to use the best remedy, you must identify the cause. 

Primary Causes of Sinus Congestion:

  • Allergies
  • Virus infections (colds and flus)
  • Sinus infections
  • Environmental irritants from cigarette smoke 

Remedies:

  • Nasal decongestant
  • A neti pot or saline solution can be used as irrigation for your nose.
  • A humidifier. Dry air can irritate your nose which is already inflamed.
  • Aromatherapy. Eucalyptus oil can open the airways. You can inhale it through a steaming method by placing some drops in your bath water or inhaling it directly from the bottle.   
  • Every two hours, drink one glass of clean, high-quality water throughout your day. Also drink a lot of herbal teas, vegetable juice, and broths. Loosen mucus by increasing the amount of liquid you consume.  

Managing Fluid Buildup
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If there are drainage issues in your ears, fluid can build up. As a result, fluid can become trapped behind the eardrum. Here are some symptoms that you may notice: 

  • Dizziness
  • Feelings of fullness in the ear
  • Hearing loss
  • Imbalance problems
  • Popping, tinnitus
  • Pressure in the ear

Core Causes

  • Allergies
  • Colds or infections related to the congestion
  • Ear barotrauma
  • Sinus infections

If the problem is not resolved, the fluid build-up behind the ear can lead to a rupture. 

Remedies to remove fluid from the ear canals:

  • Gently pull on your ear lobe as you tilt your head toward your shoulder.
  • Apply a hot compress for 30 seconds, then remove for a minute. Repeat this until you feel relief. Lay on your side while doing this. 
  • Use an over-the-counter ear drop. 

Earwax Buildup

Earwax, or cerumen, can build up when it becomes pushed deeper into the ear canal or obstructs the ear canal. This blockage can lead to hearing loss, dizziness, pain/fullness in the ears, pressure, and tinnitus. Q-tips should not be used to clean the ears. This will push the earwax further in the canals. Wearing hearing aids or earplugs can also cause cerumen buildup.   

The best way to remove earwax is by running warm water in the ear canal (during a shower) for a couple of minutes. You may use an irrigation kit for this. When the water softens the wax, it will drain through the outer ear.   

Allergies

Ear congestion can be caused by allergies. Antihistamines and decongestants can relieve allergy-related ear pressure, along with other symptoms. Be aware that some medications can cause hearing loss, so discuss this with your hearing healthcare provider.

Traveling by Air or High Altitudes
​

When you are on a plane that’s about to take off or land, a sudden pressure change can occur in your environment and the middle ear. This imbalance stops your eardrum from vibrating the way it should. Ear pain, full feelings in the ear, and pressure can cause “airplane ears”.

Remedies to reduce pressure: 

  • Yawn, chew gum, or swallow as the plane takes off or starts landing to activate the muscles that open the Eustachian tubes. 
  • Use the Valsalva maneuver. This involves pinching your nostrils shut and gently blowing your nose, while your mouth is closed. Do this as often as necessary. 
  • Wear filtered earplugs. These will help equalize the pressure in your ears.
  • To manage congestion, use a nasal spray 30 - 60 minutes before takeoffs and landing. 

Infections in the Middle and Outer Ears

Otitis media, or more commonly middle ear infections, can cause symptoms of dizziness, hearing loss, and pain in the ears. The culprit is usually viruses from respiratory infections.

Swimmer’s ear, or outer ear infections (otitis externa), is usually caused by water that’s left in your ear after it is exposed to moisture. Water that becomes trapped after swimming or bathing is the perfect environment for bacteria to grow and thrive. 

Usually, ear infections will resolve themselves. Ear drops and pain medications can help relieve symptoms.

There are various causes of ear pressure. It’s important to find the cause of it and treat it appropriately. There’s generally a simple home remedy. If symptoms worsen, seek professional help. If you are noticing hearing loss as a result of ear pressure, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary hearing test and consultation.  
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Could Your Hearing Loss be caused by an Ear Infection?

3/25/2022

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Hearing loss can be caused by so many different things like aging, head trauma, over-exposure to noise, genetics, or you can be born with it. These things impact the auditory nervous system, which results in sensorineural hearing loss. This is the most prevalent form of hearing loss. It happens when there’s damage to the inner ear nerves and hair cells that are caused by aging or noise damage. There is usually no medication or surgical procedure that can correct this, but hearing aids are a common form of treatment. 

There is another, lesser-known type of hearing loss. This is called conductive hearing loss. This form of hearing loss impacts the outer or middle ear, unlike sensorineural hearing loss, which affects the auditory nerve. A blockage in the middle ear usually causes conductive hearing loss. 

Conductive Hearing Loss Caused by Ear Infections 

When the middle ear is vibrating, sounds are sent to your auditory nerve. Any blockage can hinder sounds from traveling through the middle ear and lead to hearing loss. An infection in the middle ear can lead to the build-up of fluid, restricting the vibration of the eardrum and the tiny bones connected to it.

Impacted earwax, fluid build-up in the middle ear, or a hole in the eardrum can also lead to conductive hearing loss. 

The medical term for a middle ear infection is “otitis media”. This type of infection can lead to fluid build-up, and make it challenging for the eardrum and ossicular chain to cooperate and transfer sounds to the auditory nerve. The ossicular chain located in the middle ear is the three smallest bones in your body. They are called the malleus, incus, and stapes bone.  Each of these bones is about the size of a single grain of rice. 

Can an Ear Infection cause Hearing Loss?

When you talk about an ear infection, it typically refers to a middle ear infection or acute otitis media. This type of infection involves the area behind the eardrum where the three hearing bones (ossicles) are located. A person with this type of infection may need medical treatment, but it usually resolves itself naturally.

A mild form of conductive hearing loss can be temporary while the infection is still thriving. Permanent hearing loss is NOT usually a cause for concern. In some cases, if there are a number of long-term infections, the eardrum or middle ear can be permanently damaged and cause permanent hearing loss. Seek treatment immediately if you feel pain in your ears or sense an ear infection.

Hearing Loss Caused by Ear Infections, For the Most Part, Are Temporary

Hearing loss that is caused by an ear infection is normally temporary and goes away when it is treated. You may be given antibiotics. If they work, your hearing should revert back to normal. If you have a history of ear infections, fluid may be drained from your ears.

Getting rid of fluid buildup can bring relief to the pain and pressure that usually comes with an ear infection and can stop the eardrum from rupturing. If fluid continues to build up without any intervention, the pressure can lead to a rupture in the eardrum. 

Recurring episodes of ear infections can lead to tympanosclerosis. This is when the tympanic membrane becomes thick and will scar. A perforated eardrum and tympanosclerosis can affect the eardrum’s function and worsen the ability to hear. If treatments from a primary care physician do not resolve the problem, hearing aids may be recommended. 

If you, or a loved one, are experiencing hearing loss caused by an ear infection or for any other reason, contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary hearing test and consultation.    
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4 Earwax Cleaning Facts

3/15/2022

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There are some common misconceptions about ear-cleaning methods. Most people do not know how to safely clean their ears. We’ve got a set of guidelines to clarify four of the top myths when it comes to cleaning your ears.

Use Cotton Swabs

Do NOT insert cotton swabs in your ear canals. They are more likely to damage your eardrums and your ear’s canals. Using a cotton swab actually pushes the earwax deeper into your ear. This could lead to impacted earwax or even puncturing your eardrum if your place too much pressure on it when inserting the swab. 

Ear Candling

There is a growing popularity among people who are pouring melted candle wax into their ears and then removing the wax, along with any earwax/debris in their ears. This can actually be more harmful. Instead of becoming solidified and gathering the earwax, the candle wax might end up getting stuck to your eardrums and ear canals. This would result in scraping the rest of the wax in a dangerous manner. Pouring hot candle wax on any part of your body can be painful and removing it can cause infections. 

Earwax Removal

Not all earwax buildup needs to be removed. Earwax is meant to naturally lubricate your ear canals and act as a safeguard against foreign debris that enters your ears. Everyone produces earwax, some more than others. Completely removing all earwax is not recommended. If you have impacted earwax that is affecting your hearing, seek professional help. 

Self-cleaning Ears  

Your ears are, in fact, self-cleaning. As mentioned earlier, the function of earwax is to stop dirt and debris from making their way into your ear canal. It moves it to the surface so that it does not enter your ear.

If you or a loved one are noticing hearing loss, please contact Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary hearing test and consultation. 
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Are You Experiencing Mild Hearing Loss? Learn More About It.

2/15/2022

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Hearing Loss can range from being mild to profound. If you experience mild hearing loss, there’s a high chance that you haven’t sought help and have forced yourself to fake your ability to hear in many circumstances. 

Mild hearing loss can be serious, especially when it’s not treated early or at all. It can negatively impact the way you communicate with others - like your family members - to understand important information during a healthcare visit. The mild symptoms may be too subtle to immediately notice.    

Mild Hearing Loss Defined

Symptoms of mild hearing loss are characterized as the inability to hear noises that are under 25 decibels (dB) for adults and 15 dB for children. These noises include whispered conversations, water droplets, rustling leaves, and birds singing. Low and high-pitched sound frequencies may also be challenging to hear. Most people lose their ability to hear high-pitched sounds (children and some women’s voices) first.  

The degrees of hearing loss include normal, mild, moderate, moderately severe, severe, and profound. These ranges will be identified during a hearing test in the form of an audiogram. For the average adult, a normal range of hearing is between 0-25 dB. The normal range of hearing for children is between 0-15 dB.  

Common Symptom of Mild Hearing Loss

You have the ability to hear but cannot comprehend conversations - especially when there’s too much background noise. 

Mild Hearing Loss and Communication

If you have mild hearing loss, you are probably most comfortable in quiet settings where the conversation is limited to you and one other person. A noisy environment, if a person is facing away from you, or if they are standing too far from you can also cause communication problems.
 
The primary complaint about many people with mild hearing loss is that they can hear, but cannot clearly understand conversations. 

Causes of Mild Hearing Loss

There are a number of possible causes for mild hearing loss. Some cases can be restored with prompt and proper treatment.

  • Exposure to noise and aging are the top two common causes of mild hearing loss. 
  • Excessive production of earwax. 
  • Ear infections. 
  • Abnormal bone growth in the middle ear. If the small bones in your middle ear are not functioning properly, your inner ear won’t receive signals that are needed to transmit sounds to the brain. This is what happens during otosclerosis. 
  • Other conditions that can cause hearing loss include acoustic neuroma, head traumas, and Ménière's disease.

Treatment Options

If medications or surgery cannot treat mild hearing loss, you should get fitted for hearing aids.

Digital hearing aid technology has changed so much since the earliest styles and they perform better in just about any environment. A proper hearing aid fitting and proper hearing aid programming will help you hear as best as you can. 

Preventing Mild Hearing Loss

Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is the only preventable type of hearing loss. Use protective hearing equipment, such as:

  • Foam earplugs
  • Filtered earplugs
  • Customized earplugs
  • Safety earmuffs 

The only preventative measure that you can take is immediately seeking treatment. Whether it’s an ear infection or noise-induced, get help as soon as possible. 

If you wear hearing aids and have mild hearing loss, you’ll have more options available than someone whose hearing has worsened to severe or profound loss. You might also be able to select more discreet styles that go in the ear canal if that’s the style that you want.

The Importance of Getting Treatment

As mentioned in this blog, untreated hearing loss can increase the risk of cognitive decline This can lead to higher risks of dementia and Alzheimer’s, compared to people without hearing problems. Isolation, depression, difficulty with communication, and falls can also be symptoms of untreated hearing loss. 

Most people wait at least seven to 10 years before getting help. In the time frame, your hearing will worsen, and your brain will forget how to hear or will have difficulty identifying sounds. The ability to comprehend speech sounds also deteriorates over time.     

Mild hearing loss that is noticed and treated immediately can give you better hearing and a better overall quality of life. 

Contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary hearing test and consultation. Our providers will guide you toward better hearing health so that you can live your best life.  ​
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16 Facts About Hearing Health

1/21/2022

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Maybe you know a thing or two about what it’s like to have hearing loss, but here are 16 facts that you may not know about.  

  1. The third most prevalent health concern among Americans is hearing loss.
  2. Loudspeakers at a concert can reach up to nearly 120 decibels. It only takes 7.5 minutes of being anywhere near them to be harmful to your hearing health.
  3. One out of three adults, aged 65 and older, have some range of hearing loss; although the vast majority of people who have hearing loss are under 65-years-old.
  4. Millennials are a growing population of people who are experiencing noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL).    
  5. 37% of children who have untreated hearing loss fail at least one grade.
  6. Children are more likely to experience ear infections because their immune systems are still developing, and their Eustachian tubes rest more horizontally than adults. 
  7. Exposure to excessive noise is the #1 cause of hearing loss. NIHL is also the only preventable type of hearing loss.
  8. The smallest bones in the human body are the bones located in the middle ear (malleus, incus, and stapes.). All three bones can fit together on the surface of a penny.
  9. The outer ear continuously grows throughout your lifetime.
  10. The middle ear is approximately the size of an M&M.
  11. The inner ear is no larger than a pencil eraser’s circumference.
  12. Anthropologists have studied earwax to get a better idea of human’s early migratory patterns. Learn more about it under the “Ethnic Origins” section from “5 Facts About Earwax”.
  13. Snakes hear with their jawbones, fish respond to changes in pressure, and male mosquitoes use their antennae.  
  14. During WWI parrots were kept at the Eiffel Tower in Paris because they had extraordinary hearing abilities. When a parrot heard enemy aircraft, they warned everyone before the human ear could hear it.
  15. In some cases, when your ear becomes damaged, your sense of taste may not function properly. Nerve cells (known as Chorda Tympani) found in the ear, are connected to taste receptors located at the front of your tongue to the brain. In other instances, some patients who receive surgery on their ear may notice a change in their sense of taste. This does not conclude that hearing loss directly influences the inability to taste.  
  16. The eardrum moves less than a billionth of an inch when it comes in contact with sound. 

If you or a loved one are noticing hearing loss, get your hearing checked immediately. A hearing test and proper treatment can help save hearing loss or slow it down from getting worse. Get in touch with us at Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary hearing test and consultation.
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Are You a Hearing Aid User with an Active Lifestyle? Here are some Tips for Keeping Your Hearing Aids and Hearing Health in Shape.

1/7/2022

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Exercise is an important part of maintaining your overall health. If you’re a hearing aid user who practices physical exercises regularly, it’s advised that you wear your devices during workout sessions.

3 Reasons why Hearing Aids should be used during Exercise Routines

  1. Communication becomes easier: If you participate with a sports team, communication with fellow players is vital to efficiently work together. Whether you are going to the gym or practicing yoga outside at a park, the ability to hear will make it easier to talk to friends or hear your instructor. 
  2. Safety concerns: Your safety could be at risk if you can’t hear. If you bike, walk, or jog outdoors and can’t hear a siren from an emergency vehicle, that can put you and the people in the vehicle in danger. 
  3. Listen to music or a podcast: It’s easier to get through a tough workout while listening to your favorite music or podcast. Just about every digital hearing aid features Bluetooth®, so streaming your music and podcasts is easy.       

Be prepared by bringing Hearing Aid Gear during Workouts

To get the most out of your workout, reduce distractions and feel confident while wearing your hearing aids by being prepared. Here’s a suggestion of supplies you should keep with you. 

  • Remote microphone - If you struggle to hear your instructor during a fitness class, ask if they could wear a remote microphone that transfers sound directly to your hearing aids.
  • Sweatbands for hearing aids - If you sweat a lot and are concerned about getting your hearing aids too wet have some hearing aid sweatbands on hand. These sweatbands are an inexpensive and easy way to protect your hearing aids. Remember, hearing aids are an investment so it’s important to protect them as much as possible. 
  • Skull caps - These are securely-fitted caps that are available in many different sizes, materials, and colors; some are designed for sports and feature fabric that keeps your head cool, while absorbing sweat.   
  • Hearing aid clip - Based on the style of your hearing aids, a hearing aid clip can help prevent losing your hearing aid if it falls out of your ear. Oticon has a hearing aid clip called SafeLine. It’s lightweight, connects to one end of your hearing aid, and can be clipped onto your clothes with the other end. 
  • Puffer - A hearing aid puffer lightly blows air through the hearing aids, their tubing, and molds to clear them of any debris. Sweat can also be dried using a puffer tool, or you may use a drying box, or even place the moist hearing aids in dry, uncooked rice to soak up the moisture. 
  • Antimicrobial wipes - Disinfectant wipes are simple to toss into your gym bag and are convenient to use for cleaning when you aren’t at home. Stop by at one of our Pure Sound office locations and pick up professional-strength hearing aid cleaning wipes.       
  • Extra batteries - Don’t forget to bring extra batteries in case your hearing aids run out of power or make sure you fully charge your hearing aids overnight if you wear rechargeable hearing aids.

How to take care of Your Hearing Aids after Your Workout

If you frequently work out, be cautious about wear and tear. This will help your hearing aids last longer, after each workout session. 

  • Clean and examine your hearing aids regularly. When using a wax pick, carefully remove earwax and debris. Push out moisture from the tubing with a puffer and keep it in a dryer box overnight. You can get cleaning tools and dryer boxes from our Pure Sound office locations.
  • Get a deep cleaning from a professional hearing aid provider.

Keep up an Active Lifestyle

According to the Hear the World Foundation, 70 percent of hearing aid users have said that they wear their hearing aids while participating in sports and did not experience any problems. About 37 percent of users said they enjoy participating in sports more when wearing them. So if you aren’t already wearing hearing aids while playing sports, try it out. 

Be aware of Dangerous Noise Levels in the Gym

Gyms are well-known for blasting music too loudly during workout sessions. This can lead to hearing loss and tinnitus. If you lift very heavy weights, while holding your breath, this can also cause hearing loss and tinnitus. It’s important to protect your ears from lesser-known risks to hearing health. Special settings can be programmed into your hearing aids for all sorts of environments, like gyms.

​Contact us at Pure Sound Hearing and talk to one of our hearing instrument specialists about programming a customized setting in your hearing aids before your next visit to the gym, or workout session from home.
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What are 5 Ways to Strengthen Your Hearing?

12/17/2021

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Whether you are listening to nature sounds, the noise of laughter after a funny joke, or becoming aware of a warning signal from an emergency, hearing is a fundamental part of life. 

Think about the ways that hearing, or the lack of hearing, impacts your life.

1. Be Aware of Initial Signs of Hearing Loss  

The World Health Organization reports that over 466 million people have a disabling form of hearing loss. It is crucial to be aware of the first signs of hearing loss so that you can immediately seek help. Immediately getting help from a healthcare provider can potentially save your hearing. If you notice muffled sounds when others speak, trouble hearing over the phone or in a crowded area, struggle hearing women’s or children’s voices, or other family members or colleagues notice you can’t hear very well, get a hearing test. 

2. Reduce Exposure to Noise

The only preventable form of hearing loss is noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), yet it is the most prevalent form of hearing in children and adults. Make sure you wear hearing protection before being exposed to things like loud music, fireworks, or power tools. If possible, avoid these areas altogether or limit the amount of time you spend there.

Be aware that your work environment may also cause hearing loss. Your employer is responsible for providing any hearing protection - such as earplugs or industrial style ear muffs - that you may need as a result of being exposed to loud noises on the job. 


3. Do Not stick anything inside Your Ear Canal

Many people have the habit of using cotton swabs in their ear canal. It’s a dangerous habit that can injure your ears.

Inserting anything into your ear canal, like cotton swabs, actually pushes the earwax deeper into your ear canal. This can cause impacted earwax. If you must remove excess earwax, wipe it off of your ears with a warm soft cloth after your shower or bath. You may also soften the wax using ear drops, warm olive oil, water, or a commercial solution. It is not advised to use any of these if you have a perforated eardrum. If you are noticing any pain, hearing loss, or blockage, please contact us for an evaluation. 


4. To Hear Healthy, Eat Healthy

A proper diet and exercise are not only beneficial to hearing health, but also to your overall health. 

Fruits, vegetables, and legumes should be incorporated into a well-balanced diet. To help with the steady flow of inner ear fluid, eat potassium-rich foods like bananas. Consume other foods that are rich in vitamins A, C, and E, and minerals such as folate, magnesium, and zinc. 

Take a look at these articles for more advice on what to eat to improve your hearing:

Which Vitamins and Minerals May Help Stop Hearing Loss?

What Seasonal Autumn Foods can Improve Your Hearing Health?

5. Get Your Hearing Tested on a Regular Basis

Just like your other annual health check-ups, hearing health should be tested every year. Getting regular check-ups on your hearing can help catch any potential issues that you may have. Noticing problems early can help avert more serious situations in the future. 

Get in touch with us at Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary hearing test and consultation with one of our hearing instrument specialists. We offer a number of hearing aids that can be programmed and tailored for your specific listening needs.   
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Here are 5 Ways to Maintain Hearing Health

12/7/2021

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Think about the sound of birds chirping, the siren alarms from an emergency vehicle, listening to a funny joke (and hopefully the laughter that follows), or your favorite music. 

These are the sounds that make us aware of our surroundings and allow us to enjoy simple pleasures in life. 

The ability to hear is important. Here are five tips for better hearing.

1. Recognize the signs. According to the World Health Organization, over 466 million children and adults across the globe have a debilitating form of hearing impairment. Nearly every type of hearing loss can be treated. First, it’s important to recognize the signs. Do you hear muffled sounds when others speak? Do you have trouble hearing someone over the phone or if you’re in a crowded area and someone is standing/sitting within arms-length of you? Is it difficult to hear women or children’s voices? Do family members complain that your TV, movie, or music is too loud?  

Family members will usually recognize hearing loss in their loved ones first.

If you are experiencing any of these signs, get in touch with us at Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary hearing test and consultation. 

2. Reduce your exposure to noise. Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is the only preventable form of hearing loss. It impacts people of all ages, and it’s on the rise as one of the leading causes of hearing loss. Whether you are at a concert, watching fireworks, using power tools/vacuum cleaners, or working in a construction zone,  limit your time in those loud environments when possible and wear proper hearing protection.   

3. Do not use cotton swabs. It’s common to insert cotton swabs into your ear, but it is dangerous. Pushing the swab too far can damage your eardrum. If you are using them to clean, here’s news for you: the swabs are actually pushing earwax (cerumen) further into your ear canal, which can cause the earwax to become impacted. Remove excess cerumen by rubbing a soft, warm cloth on your ears after showering or soften the wax with drops of warm olive oil, water, or over-the-counter ear drops. These should only be used if you don’t have a perforated eardrum. 

4. Follow a healthy diet with regular exercise.  A proper diet is not only beneficial for your hearing, but also for your overall health. Fruits, vegetables, and legumes that are rich in vitamins A, C, E, and minerals like folate, magnesium, and zinc should be incorporated into your diet.  

5. Get your hearing tested annually. Hearing tests are rarely conducted during routine physical exams with your primary care doctor. Other pressing matters tend to take up more time during your appointment. If your hearing health is an urgent concern, you may be referred to a hearing healthcare professional. 

At Pure Sound Hearing, we offer free hearing tests and consultations. Contact us today.  
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Do You think You are Experiencing Tinnitus? There’s a Test for That.

10/8/2021

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Have you ever wondered if you heard a real noise, or if it was all in your head?

If you are hearing a beeping, buzzing, ringing, or whistling sound that nobody else around you hears, there’s a possibility that it is tinnitus. You should get it checked immediately by a hearing healthcare professional. After going over your medical history with them, they will examine your ear canal with an otoscope and check for earwax build-up. After carefully cleaning out the earwax, your hearing may be restored. If it’s not caused by earwax obstruction, a hearing test will be conducted.

If there is an obstruction or tinnitus, you may be referred to a physician. If there are no other obstructions present, i.e. a foreign object, and no other possible causes are found, you may have hearing loss. Tinnitus and hearing loss usually go hand-in-hand. If you are experiencing tinnitus, chances are that hearing loss is inevitable. Nearly 90% of individuals who have tinnitus, also have some range of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL).   

Tinnitus Assessments from a Hearing Healthcare Professional

At Pure Sound Hearing, our hearing care providers may conduct a pure tone audiometry test.  This test would have a high chance of being administered if your tinnitus is single-sided (unilateral) or if you also experience hearing loss. The pure tone audiometry test will play a range of frequencies at different volume levels. Even if you cannot detect any difference in your hearing, this test can show areas where your hearing has weakened. Remember, hearing loss occurs gradually over time and you might not notice the loss until it becomes very severe. Catching your hearing problems early can potentially slow down the loss. You may be asked to repeat words back to your hearing healthcare provider so that they can hear how accurately a patient repeats these words.   

Sound Matching

Tinnitus is the perceived noise that a person hears, which cannot be heard by anyone else. Our specialists will use sound matching to determine what the patient experiences. This practice involves playing audio clips to recognize which sound is closest to the sound that the person hears internally.     

Our hearing instrument specialists may use a minimal level of masking to conclude whether a patient experiences tinnitus. This will also determine how loud a sound is conveyed. Our providers will play an audio clip at gradually increasing volume levels until the patient indicates that the external noises completely cover up the phantom sounds.      

Your Experiences with Tinnitus

By discussing your tinnitus with our hearing instrument specialists, they will be able to help you understand how your symptoms are negatively affecting your daily life and overall well-being.

Tinnitus is not a disease, but the symptom of an underlying health condition. If you are noticing a beeping, buzzing, ringing, or whistling sound, contact us at Pure Sound Hearing to talk about the problems you are experiencing and we'll help you find a solution.
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Do you have Temporary or Permanent Hearing Loss?

4/16/2021

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If you are not hearing very well, or as you usually do, the cause could be anything from aging to viral infections. 

Based on the reason for your hearing loss, it might be temporary or permanent. 

Get treated immediately if You experience Sudden Hearing Loss

If you experience rapid or sudden hearing loss in one ear or both ears immediately get treatment. There could be harmful inflammation that can be treated with steroids. Sudden hearing loss that goes untreated could lead to permanent hearing loss. 

How do you know if You need to see a Medical Professional?

Here’s a guide to follow: 


  • Have you recently been exposed to many hours of loud noise? (From a live concert, from a fireworks display, or after using power tools?)
  • Did you recently have a cold or ear infection?
  • Have you recently engaged in strenuous exercises?  
  • Have you been feeling overwhelmed and stressed out?

If you responded with “No” to all of these questions, you might be experiencing sudden sensorineural hearing loss. This type of hearing loss needs immediate medical attention.

Prevailing causes of Temporary Hearing Loss?

The majority of temporary hearing loss does not suddenly occur. It happens gradually within a few days or weeks, by the time a person notices it. Temporary hearing loss can be caused by a blockage in the ear canal or another ear-related health condition. Here are some possible causes:

Excess Earwax 

Stereocilia (tiny hairs) and glands located in your inner ears create cerumen, A.K.A. earwax. Usually, this wax naturally falls out or it can be removed through a gentle wash with water. In some instances, it can build up and obstruct your ear canals. When this occurs, your ears may feel as though they are plugged, you might hear a ringing or buzzing noise (tinnitus), or experience some hearing loss. If you are unable to gently remove the earwax by using a warm washcloth, consult a healthcare professional. Do not attempt to remove the wax with any sharp objects like a hairpin. Q-Tips or cotton swabs can push the earwax deeper into your ear canal, causing the eardrum to become perforated and.

Vigorous Exercises or Stress

Your exercise routine might be the cause of your hearing loss or tinnitus. If you exercise past your personal fitness levels, you could experience temporary hearing loss. Your ability to hear should go back to normal within a few hours. See a hearing healthcare professional if the symptoms don’t go away. Severe cases of stress may induce hearing loss or tinnitus. 

Intense Noises   

Temporary hearing loss and/or tinnitus is a common result, after being exposed to loud noises. This is known as noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). In most cases, your hearing will go back to normal, but it’s always helpful to protect your hearing by wearing earplugs or earmuffs. Hearing loss prevention is the only way to protect yourself from NIHL. Frequently being exposed to loud sounds could lead to permanent hearing loss. 

Typical Causes of Permanent Hearing Loss

Long exposure to extreme noise

One loud blast of noise may only temporarily make your hearing worse, while a repetition of exposure to blasts or other loud noises could cause permanent loss of hearing. This is the most prevalent type of sensorineural hearing loss, which is permanent. The term sensorineural applies to the nerves located inside the ears, along with the tiny sensory cells that are extremely delicate and easy to destroy. 

Presbycusis

Presbycusis, also known as age-related hearing loss, is another common form of sensorineural hearing loss. Most people who are 75 years of age or older, will notice they cannot hear as well as they could in the past. The beginning of this type of hearing loss arrives gradually, so it will go unnoticed for months or years. Getting treatment for your hearing loss is not simply linked to better hearing, it also helps reduce other health problems such as dementia, depression caused by isolation, or risks of falling. 

Health conditions that cause permanent hearing loss


  • Autoimmune conditions (Meniere’s disease)
  • Genetic disorders
  • Viral infections (mumps, head trauma)
  • Medications that can cause hearing loss      

Get your hearing loss treated

Whether or not you suspect that you are experiencing permanent or temporary hearing loss, get your hearing tested. Contact us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids for a free hearing test and consultation. We offer a wide variety of hearing aids styles and brands that can be programmed for your specific hearing needs.  
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Why is it Important to Immediately get Treatment for Your Sudden Hearing Loss?

1/12/2021

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It’s no secret that everyone’s hearing gets worse as they age. Usually, individuals have one ear that can hear better than the other. In some instances, hearing loss can abruptly occur in one ear for no reason. Under these circumstances, you may have experienced sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL), or sensorineural hearing loss (SHL), which is a type of nerve deafness.

According to Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery,  there are approximately 66,000 instances of SHL each year in the U.S. There are probably more cases because this condition frequently goes undiagnosed. 

Most people do not perceive it as being serious enough to get the help that they need. The lack of early intervention and care increases the chances of permanent hearing loss. 

Unexplained Causes  

The exact cause of SHL is unknown, but specialists who study this phenomenon have identified some potential reasons:

  • A breakdown in the immune system
  • An inflammatory injury to the ear
  • Obstructed blood flow to the ear
  • Viral infections  
  • A combination of cases

People of any age can experience this problem, but it usually affects people who are in their 50s or 60s. As previously mentioned, it normally occurs in one ear. You might hear a “pop”, or feel as though there is an obstruction in your ear. Oftentimes, your hearing won’t disappear all at once. There is a steady decline that happens within several minutes or hours, like when air seeps out from a tire.    

Other than hearing issues, SHL can influence your balance, which can increase your risk of falling. SHL may also be an indication of a small stroke or tumor. It tends to be overlooked because the symptoms resemble a common cold, feelings of impacted earwax, or water that’s trapped in the ear. Most people will try to treat it on their own by using a common cold or sinus medication, ear drops that swimmers use, or by simply cleaning their ears out. Mistaking it for an irritating ear that feels stuffy will cause some to leave it untreated until it’s too late.       

Distinguishing the Difference between a Stuffy Ear and SHL

Here is something you can do to determine the difference between a common stuffy ear and sudden hearing loss: hum out loud to yourself. With normal hearing, sound can be heard equally by each ear. If you hum when you notice a new loss of hearing in one ear, the humming will transfer from one side to the other. 

For instance, let’s say that your left ear is affected and the hum is heard louder in that ear. The loss of hearing is more likely a conductive hearing loss, and probably caused by obstruction due to a cold or earwax buildup. You may simulate this effect by humming as you cover your left ear.  

If the humming sounds louder in the right ear, it indicates that the left ear with hearing loss is caused by recent nerve damage. This will need immediate medical attention. 

Getting Treatment

The time period to get your SHL treated is 10 to 14 days. If it goes untreated, your hearing loss may become permanent. Get your hearing tested. You may not regain your full hearing abilities, but you may preserve the hearing abilities that you still have with proper treatment. If you have moderate to severe hearing loss, there’s only a 20% chance that you will completely recover from SHL, even when you get it treated immediately. 

If you, or a loved one, are experiencing SHL lasting more than 24-hours, immediately contact us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids for a free hearing test and consultation. If necessary, our hearing instrument specialists can offer a referral and they can go over hearing aid options.
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Earwax Facts and Safe Cleaning Tips

1/12/2021

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Earwax, or cerumen, naturally produces to protect your outer ears. It is made up of dirt, oil, sweat, and dead skin cells. 

  • Earwax is an organic barrier that stops bacteria and dirt from penetrating the deepest parts of your ears. It has an adhesive element, therefore it can gather tiny debris that travels into your ear’s canal the same way flypaper catches insects. Without this barrier, your inner ear is at risk for infections. 
  • It is a moist, protective coating for the ear canal. Removing too much earwax may cause the outer ear to feel itchy and flaky. This leads to higher risks of infection and irritation. 
  • It is a natural insect repellent. The scent of earwax repels insects, while sticky elements catch the ones who accidentally find their way inside.          

Is your earwax dry or wet?

Producing dry earwax is common among Asians, Native Americans, and Pacific Islanders.

Producing wet earwax is common among Africans and Caucasians.

What is the pigment of your earwax? 

Old earwax is generally dark brown or black. Its color is caused by trapped bacteria and dirt. This earwax color is more common in adults. 

Light brown, orange, or yellow earwax are considered healthy and normal. Children generally have softer, light-colored earwax. 

Dark brown earwax, with any red, might indicate a bleeding wound.  

White earwax that is flaky, is a sign that your body does not produce a chemical linked to body odor.   

What produces excess earwax?

Normally, your body will know how much earwax it needs to make. Keep a healthy diet, practice proper hygiene, and move your jaw around (the same way you do when talking and chewing food). Doing this will let your ears naturally remove excess cerumen, debris, or dirt. If you routinely remove earwax, this alerts your body to generate more. Excess earwax can prevent the ability to hear, which will put you at a higher risk of ear infections and other ear or hearing health problems.    

Too much stress and over-exercising can increase the amount of earwax that is produced. The same apocrine glands which create sweat, also produce earwax. Excess earwax is typically found in individuals who:


  • Experience chronic infections in their ears.
  • Have irregularly-shaped ear canals or osteomata (a benign tumor that is made of osseous tissue).   
  • Are elderly, possess certain skin conditions or certain learning disabilities.
  • Have an abundance of hair in their ear canals.   

Additional facts:

  • Ears are generally self-cleaning. Do not insert anything small, like a cotton swab, into your ears to remove earwax. You are actually pushing the earwax further into the canal by doing this.
  • Earwax can buildup in the microphone and speakers of your hearing aids. Ear cleaning kits, brush, and loop tools, along with wax guards, can be used to clean off the devices. 

Tips to safely clean out your ears:

Although there are benefits to having earwax, too much wax obstruction can induce conductive hearing loss (when sound waves cannot travel through the inner ear, because of the earwax obstruction). If your ears feel stuffy and believe that earwax may be the cause:


  • DO NOT use a cotton swab, hairpin, or any small instrument to dig out the wax. The wax will be pushed deeper into your ear where it won’t be able to naturally fall out of your ears. You may also pierce the eardrum.
  • DO NOT engage in “ear candling”. There have not been any proven benefits. It may cause burns, earwax obstruction, ruptured eardrums, and serious injury.
  • If the earwax feels unbearable, you may wash your ears with a warm soapy washcloth. Occasionally allowing some warm water from your shower run in your ears can loosen and soften excess earwax.
  • If you have healthy ears, without any tubes or eardrum perforations, try clearing out excess earwax by using an over-the-counter ear cleaning kit.
  • For hearing aid users, be sure to properly clean your hearing aids. If necessary, stop by your hearing aid provider’s office for a thorough, professional cleaning.

If you are unable to hear out of your hearing aids and notice that there is too much earwax that is clogging up your devices, contact us at Pure Sound for deep cleaning. We will be happy to help.

Please be aware that Pure Sound services will only be available by appointment and for essential visits at this time. Essential visits include all appointments that require repairs, re-fittings, and new hearing aid fittings. Get in touch with us if you need to schedule a hearing test, or if you are having any problems with your hearing aids. If you need any supplies for your hearing aids, please contact us before your office visit. 
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