Do You Have a Stuffy Nose When You Wake Up?
This time of year, it’s common to experience symptoms like a stuffy nose, especially when you first wake up. In 2021 in particular, this can be worrisome, as a stuffy nose is one of the listed symptoms of COVID-19. Once you get tested rule out the possibility of having the coronavirus, the next step is…
Loss of Smell and Taste Linked to COVID-19
By now, we’re all familiar with the most common symptoms of COVID-19: fever, body aches, dry cough and breathing difficulty. But for some people, additional symptoms include a loss of smell and taste; these can occur even in the absence of any other symptoms. Anosmia and ageusia (the medical terms for loss of smell and…
How to Prevent Winter Allergies
If you experience a runny nose and congestion in these winter months, there’s no reason to immediately panic. Once you talk to your doctor and rule out the possibility of COVID-19, you may uncover that the source of your symptoms is in fact a winter allergy. Being able to identify your winter allergy triggers and…
How Does Allergy Testing Prevent More Serious Conditions?
If you experience frequent seasonal allergies with congestion, an annoying headache or other symptoms, there’s another condition you might want to keep an eye on: nasal polyps. When left unchecked, allergy symptoms can lead to the development of nasal polyps over time. Though these polyps are generally benign growths that occur on the mucosal lining…
Dangers of OTC Hearing Aids
In 2017, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) sponsored the Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Act. The goal was noble: to make hearing aids more affordable and readily available. Once the law was passed, the Food & Drug Administration was tasked with establishing guidelines pertaining to their sale. Unfortunately, purchasing hearing aids directly from retailers may pose serious risks…
Now Accepting Referrals for EarWell® Infant Ear Systems
Willamette ENT and Facial Plastic Surgery is now accepting referrals for EarWell® infant ear systems, a new non-surgical system that helps reshape malformations in a child’s ear. The procedure is pain-free and does not affect a child’s ability to hear. Invented by Dr. Steve Byrd, EarWell® ear molding devices help correct malformations in ear cartilage….
How to Celebrate the Holidays Virtually with Hearing Loss
We can all agree that this year’s holiday season feels a lot different than prior years. Since the CDC recommends avoiding travel and limiting gathering sizes, many are opting to host their holidays virtually this year. While telecommunication can be challenging for people with hearing loss, with the right strategies, you’ll still be able to…
Improving Communication with People with Hearing Loss
Approximately 48 million Americans experience hearing loss. This means that chances are there’s someone in your life with the condition. It’s important to know effective communication strategies for the next time you have a conversation with someone who is hearing impaired. Follow our tips below. Get Their Attention Make sure to get the attention of…
Does Your Child Need Ear Tubes?
Ear infections are common, and most go away on their own. But for children who develop multiple infections that take a while to clear up or begin to show signs of hearing loss or speech delays, additional treatment is needed. Ear tubes are a simple and effective procedure that helped millions of children. But how…
Helping Your Child Through Their Hearing Loss
Whether your child has been recently diagnosed or was born with hearing loss, now is the time to do something about it. Making the right decisions for your child now can have a lasting impact on their success later in life. Understanding the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Program The EHDI program was created…
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