Tinnitus is a condition where the patient hears a ringing or other noise that is not produced by an external source. This disorder can occur in one or both ears, range in pitch from a low roar to a high squeal, and may be continuous or sporadic. This often debilitating condition has been linked to ear

To understand earaches you must first know about the Eustachian tube, a narrow channel connecting the inside of the ear to the back of the throat, just above the soft palate. The tube allows drainage -- preventing fluid in the middle ear from building up and bursting the thin ear drum. In a healthy ear,

What Is Otosclerosis? The term otosclerosis is derived from the Greek words for "hard" (scler-o) and "ear" (oto). It describes a condition of abnormal bone growth around the stapes bone, one of  the tiny bones of the middle ear.  This leads to a fixation of the stapes bone. The stapes bone must move

Insight into acute otitis externa What causes swimmer’s ear? What are the signs and symptoms? How is swimmer’s ear treated? and more... Affecting the outer ear, swimmer’s ear is a painful condition resulting from inflammation, irritation, or infection. These symptoms often occur

Insight for hearing-impaired travelers What are common problems? What arrangements can be made? How should hearing aids be handled when traveling? and more... Travel is an important aspect of our lives. Whether for business or vacation, traveling can be as stressful as it is enjoyable.

One of the most common birth defects is hearing loss or deafness (congenital), which can affect as many as three of every 1,000 babies born. Inherited genetic defects play an important role in congenital hearing loss, contributing to about 60 percent of deafness occurring in infants. Although exact data

Insight into causes and treatments for tinnitus What causes tinnitus? How is tinnitus treated? What can help me cope? And more… Nearly 36 million Americans suffer from tinnitus or head noises. It may be an intermittent sound or an annoying continuous sound in one or both ears. Its

Today in the United States, studies estimate that 34 percent of U.S. adults are overweight and an additional 31 percent (approximately 60 million) are obese. Combined, approximately 127 million Americans are overweight or obese. Some 42 years ago, 13 percent of Americans were obese, and in 1980 15 percent

Your child has an earache. After your first visit to a physician you may hear some of the following terms related to the diagnosis and treatment of this common childhood disorder. Acute otitis media - the medical term for the common ear infection. Otitis refers to an ear inflammation, and media means

Insight into ear injuries What is a perforated eardrum? What causes eardrum perforation? How is hearing affected by a perforated eardrum? and more... A hole or rupture in the eardrum, a thin membrane that separates the ear canal and the middle ear, is called a perforated eardrum.

If your newborn child does not startle, move, cry or react in any way to unexpected loud noises, does not awaken to loud noises, does not turn his/her head in the direction of your voice, does not freely imitate sound, or has failed a newborn hearing screening test, then he or

What Is Hyperacusis? Hyperacusis is a condition that arises from a problem in the way the brain’s central auditory processing center perceives noise. It can often lead to pain and discomfort. Individuals with hyperacusis have difficulty tolerating sounds which do not seem loud to others, such as

The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders reports approximately 28 million Americans have lost some or all of their hearing, including 17 in 1,000 children under age 18. Noise exposure is increasingly common in the age of iPods and other personal music players. Overexposure

Insight into the proper care of the ears Why does the body produce earwax? What is the recommended method of ear cleaning? When should a doctor be consulted? and more... Good intentions to keep ears clean may be risking the ability to hear. The ear is a delicate and intricate area,

Insight into maintaining auditory health Can noise hurt my ears? How does the ear work? How can I protect myself against noise? and more... One in 10 Americans has a hearing loss that affects his or her ability to understand normal speech. Age-related hearing loss is the most common

What is otitis media? Otitis media refers to inflammation of the middle ear. When infection occurs, the condition is called "acute otitis media." Acute otitis media occurs when a cold, allergy, or upper respiratory infection, and the presence of bacteria or viruses lead to the accumulation of pus and