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
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
How do I get a buildup of wax out of my ears? My friend suggested an over-the-counter product (Deprox). Are there any home remedies that I can use, and what do you think of ear candles?
Ear wax build-up is something we see daily in our clinic. It can range from very small amounts of wax that is not blocking the ear canal to large hard “plugs” of wax that can completely occlude the ... continue reading about How do I get a buildup of wax out of my ears? My friend suggested an over-the-counter product (Deprox). Are there any home remedies that I can use, and what do you think of ear candles?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
What would cause a muffled thumping sound in my left ear (almost like hearing a heart beat)? This sound is not in the right ear, only the left. It doesn't happen all the time and there is no hearing loss.
A couple of possible answers come to mind. First, there is a large source of blood flow in your head close to the bottom of your ear canal. The carotid artery is large and can sometimes produce a pounding or he... continue reading about What would cause a muffled thumping sound in my left ear (almost like hearing a heart beat)? This sound is not in the right ear, only the left. It doesn't happen all the time and there is no hearing loss.
Steven Machtinger, M.D.
Mills-Peninsula Medical Group
A friend uses a neti pot and swears that it has reduced her allergies (sinus congestion and headaches) by 75 percent or more. How does the neti pot work and is it safe?
Neti pots use normal saline to rinse the nose of excess mucous. Normal saline is water to which salt is added and has the same degree of saltiness as your body's fluids. Saline rinses temporarily relieve nasal ... continue reading about A friend uses a neti pot and swears that it has reduced her allergies (sinus congestion and headaches) by 75 percent or more. How does the neti pot work and is it safe?
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 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
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
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
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?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
I have diabetes and I read recently that people with this disease have a higher risk of hearing problems. Why would this be, and is there anything I can do to prevent it?
It is true that diabetes can cause hearing loss in cases that are more severe. Not everyone will get hearing loss with diabetes, and it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle and follow your physician's r... continue reading about I have diabetes and I read recently that people with this disease have a higher risk of hearing problems. Why would this be, and is there anything I can do to prevent it?
More Resources
Healthwise Resource Library
Look up helpful health information.
Patient Information
Practical info for Sutter patients.
Tools and Quizzes
Online tools to help you make decisions about your health.