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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.
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Protect Your Ears and Hearing
Get tips to care for your ears and avoid preventable hearing loss.

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

Breathe Easier
Allergy-easing options range from simple saline rinses to shots.
Ask an Expert
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
Is there any research being done to help treat and prevent hearing loss? So many older people I know seem to be dealing with it.
Hearing loss has many causes and affects people at different times in their lives. If we look at hearing loss and aging, it is difficult to isolate hearing loss causes without looking at several factors: geneti... continue reading about Is there any research being done to help treat and prevent hearing loss? So many older people I know seem to be dealing with it.
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?
Lorre T. Henderson, M.D.
Sutter Medical Foundation
I have been diagnosed with chronic sinusitis and have lost my sense of smell and taste. Prednisone has helped but I refuse to take it on an ongoing basis since I also have osteoporosis. I can't take NSAIDS with a history of gastric ulcer. Any suggestions?
The loss or diminishment of the senses of smell and/or taste are common with sinus infection problems. Tissues inside the nose become swollen and secretions are increased, both which alter airflow through the n... continue reading about I have been diagnosed with chronic sinusitis and have lost my sense of smell and taste. Prednisone has helped but I refuse to take it on an ongoing basis since I also have osteoporosis. I can't take NSAIDS with a history of gastric ulcer. Any suggestions?
Lorre T. Henderson, M.D.
Sutter Medical Foundation
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?
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
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?
Ask the Expert Team
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?
Lorre T. Henderson, M.D.
Sutter Medical Foundation
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?
Catherine A. Madison, M.D.
California Pacific Medical Center
For the first time in my life I experience vertigo after climaxing. Why is that?
Headaches after climax have been described over the years and are felt related to changes in the size of blood vessels after sex. Vertigo is more unusual and might suggest a problem with the inner ear system; a... continue reading about For the first time in my life I experience vertigo after climaxing. Why is that?
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