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.
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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.
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Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
I recently read that hearing loss is more common in people with heart disease or those who've had a heart attack. Why would this be?
Many articles have been written about the connection between decreased blood flow from cardiovascular disease and hearing loss. The inner ear is very small, and changes in blood flow in the body can cause the r... continue reading about I recently read that hearing loss is more common in people with heart disease or those who've had a heart attack. Why would this be?
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?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
Does bee pollen help reduce allergies?
There are two reasons that bee pollen would not be expected to help with allergies:The type of pollen that bees carry is not the kind of pollen that causes allergy. It's the wind-transported pollen that causes ... continue reading about Does bee pollen help reduce 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 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
Sutter Health
What is "swimmer's ear" and what is the best way to deal with it?
Swimmer's ear is a term commonly used to describe an infection of the ear canal. People who repeatedly wet the ear canal (swimming, surfing, scuba diving) can develop persistent dampness that allows either bact... continue reading about What is "swimmer's ear" and what is the best way to deal with it?
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?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
I use ear buds with my MP3 player and wondered what volume of sound is safe. Can loud music cause hearing loss?
When using an MP3 player, the recommendation is to keep the volume at one half the scale, or less. Specifically, on an I-Pod device, I counsel my patients and family members to keep the volume no more than half... continue reading about I use ear buds with my MP3 player and wondered what volume of sound is safe. Can loud music cause hearing loss?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
I have moderate hearing loss in both ears. I've been fitted with behind the ear hearing aids at three centers with no real improvement in discerning speech (ambient noise comes through loud and clear). Which are best to help me hear normal conversations?
There are many brands of hearing aids and some are clearly more advanced than others. Without seeing your hearing test and taking a thorough history of your listening needs, it is hard to say what would work th... continue reading about I have moderate hearing loss in both ears. I've been fitted with behind the ear hearing aids at three centers with no real improvement in discerning speech (ambient noise comes through loud and clear). Which are best to help me hear normal conversations?
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