Allergies & the Immune System
Allergies are extremely common, affecting about 1 out of every 5 Americans. Understanding what causes them, and which particular allergens are responsible for triggering your symptoms, are the keys to successful treatment. The immune system functions as the body’s first line of defense against germs and bacteria, and is essential in maintaining good health and…
Audiologist or Hearing Instrument Specialist? What’s the Difference?
A patients’ journey to better hearing begins when they choose a hearing professional they can trust. But often, they are unsure where to turn. Understanding the difference between an audiologist and a Hearing Instrument Specialist will help them make that crucial decision. An audiologist is a licensed and certified professional who has earned a Master’s…
October is Audiology Awareness Month
More than 36 million Americans of all ages suffer from hearing loss. Regular hearing screenings are invaluable in identifying problems early. We encourage you to schedule an appointment for a hearing screening during the month of October, recognized as Audiology Awareness Month. Hearing loss can be caused by a variety of factors including noise exposure,…
Ragweed: Autumn’s Notorious Allergen
Many people associate hay fever with springtime, but it can occur anytime plants release pollen. A notorious autumn offender is ragweed, from the genus Ambrosia. This plant is responsible for about half of all cases of allergic rhinitis attributable to pollen. Ragweed can grow just about anywhere, but is most common in the Midwest and…
Sinusitis Relief
An estimated 37 million Americans suffer from sinusitis. This inflammation of the sinuses is most often the result of a viral infection; symptoms include sore throat, congestion, facial pain and pressure, coughing, bad breath and fatigue. Medications and home remedies can bring relief, but sometimes surgery is the best option. Traditional endoscopic sinus surgery requires…
Vote for the Best of Mid-Valley
StatesmanJournal.com’s Best of the Mid-Valley has invited readers to nominate and vote for their favorite people, businesses and things to do in Marion and Polk counties. Statesman Journal’s Best of the Mid-Valley is all about you. The places where you eat, shop, play and relax give the Mid-Valley its life. Nominate your favorite businesses, people…
National Protect Your Hearing Month
Approximately 30 million workers are exposed to hazardous levels of noise on the job. Noise-induced hearing loss is caused by damage to the hair cells that are found in our inner ear. Hair cells are small sensory cells that convert the sounds we hear (sound energy) into electrical signals that travel to the brain. Once…
What is small, sleek and sophisticated?
Answer: A digital hearing aid of course! Today’s hearing instruments are not your father’s hearing aids! Gone are the antique ear trumpets of the early 19th century and the cumbersome transistor radio style devices worn on the body. Even the original, large, behind-the-ear hearing aids have experienced a dramatic reduction in size! Instead, contemporary users…
Meet Jason & Crystal
Jason isn’t your stereotypical patient Jason noticed it was harder to hear those talking around him. After some prodding from his wife, he went to an audiologist. He learned he had mild sloping to high frequency hearing loss. His audiologist suggested hearing aids. Immediately, he thought of the big, clunky ones he associated with “old…
May is National Better Hearing Month!
Hearing loss is the third most common health problems in the United States. Approximately 36 million Americans suffer from hearing loss. More than half are younger than age 65 – according to American Academy of Audiology. Untreated hearing loss can affect your ability to understand speech and can negatively impact your social and emotional well-being —…
“Dr. Strand is wonderful. In fact, all the staff are just the best. Personable, and to the point. You will be well cared for at Willamette ENT.”