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Ear, Nose and Throat Health

Care for your ears and preserve hearing with digital hearing aids and treatments for surfer’s ear, tinnitus and sinus infections.

New Reasons to Use Hearing Aids

You don’t have to suffer with hearing loss. Learn about digital hearing aid features and get tips for buying them.

Pioneering Surgery for Surfer's Ear

Surfer’s ear causes infections and hearing loss. An innovative surgical treatment will have you back in the water faster.

Help for Sinus Problems

Sinusitis and sinus infections often drag on or come back. Get expert tips for preventing and treating sinus problems.

    Featured Articles

    Cotton Swabs

    Protect Your Ears and Hearing

    Get tips to care for your ears and avoid preventable hearing loss.

    Girl Wearing Headphones On Dock

    Tips for Managing Tinnitus

    Get expert advice for managing your tinnitus and the related stress.

    African American woman with allergies outside

    Breathe Easier

    Allergy-easing options range from simple saline rinses to shots.

    View All Ear, Nose and Throat Articles

    Ask an Expert

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    Sutter Health

    I take ibuprofen daily for back problems, but I read recently that sometimes it can cause hearing loss. Is this true, and how much would you need to take to cause this to happen?

    I read several studies that seem to link increased risk of hearing loss to use of NSAIDS (ibuprofen is an NSAID). It is important to understand that there is an increase RISK of hearing loss in both women and m... continue reading  about  I take ibuprofen daily for back problems, but I read recently that sometimes it can cause hearing loss. Is this true, and how much would you need to take to cause this to happen?

    Ask the Expert Team

    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

    Ask the Expert Team

    Sutter Health

    My husband has been complaining that I'm not hearing everything he says. If I had hearing loss, wouldn't I certainly know it?

    Hearing can decrease gradually over many years, and many people do not realize it until someone else points it out. Spouses, family members and close friends usually notice the changes first. I have had patient... continue reading  about  My husband has been complaining that I'm not hearing everything he says. If I had hearing loss, wouldn't I certainly know it?

    Ask the Expert Team

    Ask the Expert Team

    Sutter Health

    I have two hearing aids, but find that sometimes when I use both, the sound is too intense, so I remove one. Are two hearing aids really necessary?

    I would suggest you return to the office that you purchased the hearing aids from and have adjustments made. If two hearing aids are warranted, then it may be a matter of turning them both down for comfort. It ... continue reading  about  I have two hearing aids, but find that sometimes when I use both, the sound is too intense, so I remove one. Are two hearing aids really necessary?

    Ask the Expert Team

    Ask the Expert Team

    Sutter Health

    I have been diagnosed with Meniere's Disease. I have always had ringing in my left ear. Recently I have noted a thumping sound in my left ear. Is this another symptom of Meniere's Disease?

    Meniere's disease or syndrome is named after a French physician who first described the disorder in 1861. It is not a disease in that it cannot spread to another person. It is a syndrome of three symptoms chara... continue reading  about  I have been diagnosed with Meniere's Disease. I have always had ringing in my left ear. Recently I have noted a thumping sound in my left ear. Is this another symptom of Meniere's Disease?

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    Sutter Health

    I've been plugged up for months with allergies. I've used decongestants, antihistamines, and sinus rinses but nothing seems to help. Any advice?

    It sounds as though you have done all of the 'self-help' measures you can. I would recommending discussing with your primary care physician or seeking an otolaryngology referral to try other medications that ar... continue reading  about  I've been plugged up for months with allergies. I've used decongestants, antihistamines, and sinus rinses but nothing seems to help. Any advice?

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    Ask the Expert Team

    Sutter Health

    For the past three months, I've had a constant and irritating tickle in my inner ear. It even wakes me up at night. I've used ear rinses and had my primary care doctor examine it, but she could not find anything. Any suggestions?

    You might want your primary physician to refer you to an Ear Nose and Throat doctor. Some ear canals can have “pockets” that are not noticeable by looking in the ear canal with a standard otoscope, ... continue reading  about  For the past three months, I've had a constant and irritating tickle in my inner ear. It even wakes me up at night. I've used ear rinses and had my primary care doctor examine it, but she could not find anything. Any suggestions?

    Ask the Expert Team

    Ask the Expert Team

    Sutter Health

    Is hearing loss inevitable as we age? Is there anything we can do to prevent 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  Is hearing loss inevitable as we age? Is there anything we can do to prevent it?

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    Sutter Health

    For two months, I've been smelling cigarette smoke at work, at home, even in my car. I know there is no actual smoke in the air (I don't smoke and neither do my family or coworkers) but I smell it. I read that it could be a sinus problem or brain tumor.

    Generally sinus disease or infection causes a foul odor and not the smell of cigarettes. Some brain tumors can cause olfactory (smell) delusions or hallucinations and these can be manifest as almost any odor. H... continue reading  about  For two months, I've been smelling cigarette smoke at work, at home, even in my car. I know there is no actual smoke in the air (I don't smoke and neither do my family or coworkers) but I smell it. I read that it could be a sinus problem or brain tumor.

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