Pollen is one of the most common triggers of seasonal allergies. Many people know pollen allergy as “hay fever.” Experts usually refer to pollen allergy as “seasonal allergic rhinitis.” Each spring, summer and fall, plants release tiny pollen grains to fertilize other plants of the same species. Most of the pollen that causes allergic reactions […]
Ear Nose & Throat (ENT)

Why Are Ears Shaped the Way They Are?
I’m sure everyone has wondered at one time or another, why we have the strange shaped objects on the sides of our heads. Ear Positioning Matters The outer flap of the ear, called the pinna, acts as a sound gatherer, similar to a horn. The horn is pointed slightly to the front allowing the ear to […]

Key Indicators for Hearing Loss
Our heredity plays a role in how we hear. I know! I know! If you had a dollar for all the things mom and dad didn’t tell you! Most likely, your parents may have chalked their hearing loss up to selective hearing or “just something that happens with age”. Hearing Loss: Not Just Age-Related The truth […]

Prevent Noise-Induced Hearing Loss; Here’s How
Noise is one of the most common causes of hearing loss. Often, its effects are underestimated because the damage takes place so gradually. The risk of hearing loss depends on both the intensity and the duration of the exposure to the loud noise or music. Noise/music induced hearing loss is preventable. In fact, the average […]

Can’t Hear in a Noisy Room? Here’s Why
Most people have trouble understanding conversations in background noise environments. This includes people with normal hearing as well as people who have hearing loss. Persons with hearing loss can get assistance with specifically tuned amplification from an audiologist – most commonly in the form of a hearing aid. Advances in Hearing Aid Technology The most […]

How LATERA is Helping People Breathe Easier
LATERA is a minimally invasive procedure for improving nasal breathing. It is used in people that have nasal valve collapse. Nasal valve collapse occurs when the cartilage on the outside of the nose collapses when you take a deep breath. LATERA is also commonly used in conjunction with other ENT procedures to help with nasal breathing […]

Bacterial Infection vs. Virus: Do I Need an Antibiotic?
Bacterial Infections Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections. Some surgeons prescribe antibiotics to people before or after surgery to help prevent a bacterial infection. Antibiotics are prescribed by a doctor and you can only get them from a pharmacist at the pharmacy counter. Using antibiotics when they are not needed can cause harmful side […]

Feeling Like Sneezy? It Might Just Be the Trees.
We were all feeling a bit congested in the office today, so I took the time to look up the pollen count on weather.com. Lo and behold we had jumped to a “high” level of tree pollen – oak and pine specifically. We were also all curious as to what we could possibly do to […]