Is Climate Change Making Your Allergies Worse?
While some people associate hay fever with a case of the springtime sniffles, for many it has major consequences. In addition to causing discomfort, seasonal allergies can exacerbate asthma, weaken your defense against respiratory viruses and even require a visit to the emergency room. Unfortunately, a new study that examined nearly three decades worth of…
Is Technology Hurting Your Hearing?
It’s truly amazing that in this day and age, you can listen to any song or watch any movie you want with a few swipes of your fingers. However, with great technology comes great responsibility. If you’re not careful with your listening habits, you can permanently damage your sense of hearing. How Loud Is Too…
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…
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