Maybe you didn’t even notice it but other members of your family pointed out the fact that you need to blast the TV in order to hear it or that you have to asked people to repeat themselves quite often. If people often sound like they are mumbling or difficult to understand then you could be dealing with hearing loss. Approximately 48 million Americans deal with some degree of hearing loss. If you are part of this statistic then it’s important that you turn to an otolaryngologist you can trust.

While you may not realize it, an ENT doctor is exactly the specialist you want on your side to not only diagnose your hearing loss but also to provide the hearing aid you need to improve your hearing. While a hearing aid is not designed to restore hearing it can help amplify certain sounds to make hearing much easier.

There are a variety of different hearing aid options available to you, and the style you choice will really depend on your goals, lifestyle, degree of hearing loss, budget and any special features you are looking for. Common hearing aids styles include:

Invisible-in-the-Canal (IIC): Just as the name suggests, this style of hearing aid is placed deep within the ear canal so it’s completely invisible. It’s a great option for those with mild-to-moderate hearing loss.

Completely-in-Canal (CIC): Also good for mild-to-moderate hearing loss, this style will allow the hearing aid to be completely invisible within the ear canal. The only difference is that a clear tab on the hearing aid is used to place and remove it.

In-the-Canal (ITC): A small portion of this hearing aid is visible but it is flesh-colored so it won’t be obvious to those around you. It’s a great style for those dealing with mild to severe hearing loss.

In-the-Ear (ITE): This style is also capable of handling a wide variety of hearing loss, from mild to severe. This hearing aid is custom-made to fit the outer area of the ear rather than sitting within the ear canal.

Receiver-in-Canal (RIC): This allows the speaker to sit within the ear canal where it is out of sight; however, the speaker is connected to the amplifier (which sits behind the ear) by wires rather than tubing. It’s a discreet option for those with mild-to-severe hearing loss.

Behind-the-Ear (BTE): This type of hearing aid allows the speaker to lie hidden within the ear canal. The speaker is attached to a clear, thin tube that is connected to the amplifier, which sits behind the ear. This is a great option for those with moderate-to-severe hearing loss.

It’s important to find the right hearing aid to fit your unique needs, and an ENT doctor can provide you with the quality hearing aid you’re looking for so that you can be part of the conversation again.

Many people experience dizziness from time to time, which is normal and usually not cause for concern. See a doctor if the dizziness is severe, gets progressively worse, is associated with hearing loss, or occurs after taking a specific medication. Additionally, see a doctor if you suddenly feel dizzy when you have never before experienced dizziness. Otolaryngologists treat problems of the inner ear, head, nose, throat, and neck, such as dizziness. Dr. William Bond is your doctor of otolaryngology in Washington, D.C., for the diagnosis and treatment of dizziness.

Causes of Dizziness

The inner ear helps you maintain a sense of balance. Signals sent from the inner ear to the brain let your brain know about your body’s orientation or positioning at any given time, as well as whether you are still or in motion. The feeling of being dizzy occurs when the signal from the inner ear misfires or gets blocked before reaching the brain. Several factors and conditions can interfere with the inner ear’s ability to send signals to the brain and, subsequently, cause dizziness. Causes of dizziness include:

• Vertigo
• Anxiety
• Poor circulation
• Certain neurological diseases

Vertigo is a specific type of dizziness often accompanied by nausea and/or vomiting. Causes of vertigo include:

• Skull fractures
• Inner ear injuries
• Viral infections
• Migraines
• Meniere’s Disease
• Benign positional vertigo

Treatments for Dizziness

There are several treatments for dizziness. The best treatment for your dizziness will depend on what is causing it. A doctor at a Washington, D.C., otolaryngology practice can diagnose the cause of your dizziness and prescribe an appropriate treatment. Treatments for dizziness include various exercises for balance, as well as antihistamines, antibiotics, and other medications.

There are several possible causes of dizziness. Based on the specific cause of your dizziness, your otolaryngologist can recommend an appropriate treatment. For treatment of your dizziness, schedule an appointment with Dr. Bond, your doctor of otolaryngology in Washington, D.C., by calling the office at (202) 726-7770.

Do you find that certain times of the year it’s difficult to go outdoors without developing watery itchy eyes or sneezing your head off? Does coming in contact with your friends’ pets leave you dealing with red itchy welts on your skin and a runny nose? If you said “yes” to these questions, you could very well be dealing with allergies.

While there isn’t a cure for allergies, there are many ways to treat this issue. If you aren’t finding relief through over-the-counter antihistamines, nasal sprays, and other allergy medications, it’s time to turn to an otolaryngologist for help. It’s important that you don’t just ignore your allergy symptoms, as they can often get worse if left untreated.

First and foremost, it’s important to figure out what is causing your allergy symptoms to flare-up. Everything from pollen, mold dust, dust mites, dander, and mildew could be causing your symptoms. The sooner you and your ENT doctor are able to get to the root of your flare-ups the easier it will be to treat your allergies.

While an otolaryngologist may choose to prescribe medication to help you better manage your symptoms, there are also a variety of lifestyle modifications you can incorporate into your daily routine to reduce flare-ups.

For starters, it’s important to reduce how often you come in contact with the offending allergen. This may require you to close your windows during the day, vacuum the carpets and furniture a few times a week, bathe your trusty pet regularly, use an air purifier with a HEPA filter in your bedroom, or place a protective covering over your mattress.

Even though some people may find relief from commercial allergy products, those dealing with persistent or moderate-to-severe allergies may require a more specific and stronger medication. There are a variety of prescription nasal sprays, eye drops, and other antihistamines that can reduce congestion, eye redness and itching, and other allergy complaints. Of course, if these lifestyle changes and medications aren’t enough to get your symptoms under control then your allergy specialist may discuss the pros and cons of getting allergy shots.

Don’t let allergies get the better of you. There are ways to get your allergies under control so they don’t control you. Don’t fight your allergy alone; turn to an ENT specialist for help.

While they tend to be most common in young children, ear infections can affect people of all ages. An ear infection can result from a number of causes, and treatment will depend on the severity, location, symptoms and source of the infection. Many ear infections respond to self care and clear up on their own, while others may require treatment and prescription medication from an ear, nose and throat doctor (ENT).

Treating an Ear Infection

The ear is made up of three parts - the outer ear, the middle ear and the inner ear. Infections usually develop in the middle ear and can be caused by either a virus, fungus or bacteria. An ENT will check for fluid buildup and determine whether it is a viral or bacterial infection, which helps to determine what the treatment will be. Viral middle ear infections generally clear up on their own over time, and symptoms can be managed with pain relievers like Advil. If the infection is caused by bacteria, an ENT may prescribe antibiotics to help clear up the infection and prevent the bacteria from proliferating. With severe fluid build up, the middle ear may have to be drained of the excess fluid in order to relieve pressure and allow air to flow through the ear.

Types of Ear Infections

In addition to viral and bacterial infections of the middle ear, another common type of ear infection is swimmer's ear, which affects the ear canal in the outer ear from excess water buildup which can lead to bacterial growth in the lining of the ear. Swimmer's ear (otitis externa) is usually treated with medicated drops. In rare cases, an ear infection can be caused by a fungal infection, in which case antifungal medications may be prescribed. Steroids are also sometimes used to help reduce inflammation.

Conditions which affect your head and neck can quickly cause daily pain and discomfort which could, eventually, become too much to handle without help. In some cases, consulting with your ear, nose, and throat doctor about head and neck surgery is the best answer to this situation. Find out when you should consider head and neck surgery with Dr. William Bond, Jr. at his practice in Washington, DC.

When is head and neck surgery necessary? 
Your doctor may recommend head and neck surgery due to several diagnoses, including:

• Sleep Apnea: Obtrusive sleep apnea occurs when the airway becomes blocked during sleep, causing pauses in breathing. Sleep apnea surgery can remove the obstruction and allow the airway to remain open, decreasing or even eliminating apneas.
• Nasal Polyps: Polyps are benign growths in the sinuses which can cause persistent runny or stuffy nose, headaches, and pressure in the head. Nasal polyp surgery removes the polyps to decrease symptoms.
• Sinus Surgery: Sinus surgery to allow the sinuses to drain is common in patients who suffer from chronic sinus infections.
• Cancer: Mouth, throat, or other cancers often require surgical procedures to remove the cancerous cells before chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

How can my ear, nose, and throat doctor help with my condition? 
Before suggesting any treatments, your ENT doctor will want to meet with you at a physical examination to assess your condition and perform any tests which may further investigate your symptoms or condition. After diagnosing your problem, your doctor may first recommend less invasive options before recommending head and neck surgery. However, if these more conservative efforts fail to produce results, your doctor will suggest surgery to fix the problem.

Head and Neck Surgery in Washington, DC
If you think you have a condition affecting your ears, nose, or throat, you can consult with your ENT doctor to begin the diagnostic process and find the best plan of action to treat your condition. You can also schedule a consultation if you have questions or concerns about an existing condition or symptoms. 

For more information on head and neck surgery, please consult your Washington, DC ear, nose, and throat doctor, Dr. William Bond, Jr. Call (202) 726-7770 to schedule your appointment with Dr. Bond today!