Frequently Asked Questions

Your Ears

(click to display information regarding each question)

• Why do I have noises in my ears?
• Typically noises in the ear, or tinnitus, is a side effect of hearing loss. This problem could be due to age-related hearing loss, congenital hearing loss, diseases of the ear, noise exposure or certain medications. If you are experiencing ringing after exposure to loud sounds, this is a warning sign that you are damaging your hearing and should be using hearing protection in that environment. Most cases of tinnitus are benign. If your tinnitus has changed in any way, i.e., becomes louder, more pronounced in one ear or more frequent, or the tone changes, you should have your hearing evaluated.
  
  
• The following factors can make tinnitus worse, so try to avoid them: stress, alcohol, caffeine, tobacco, certain medications (check with your physician).

• How should I clean my ears? And how often?
  
  • Wax, also known as cerumen, is generated in the ear canal as a protective barrier and lubricant. While a certain amount is normal, there are times when the accumulation of wax may cause hearing loss or may hinder the performance of a hearing aid. Before you clean your ears yourself, your doctor should check the status of your ears to make sure everything is intact. If you have a hole in your eardrum, flushing your ears may cause severe pain. Some people are also prone to infection as a result of wax removal, and it is best to have the removal done by a physician. This includes those with diabetes.
    
    
  • How often one should have wax removed depends upon the ear. Some people build wax up quickly and may need to have it removed monthly, while others build up very little and may never have to have their ears flushed. If you notice a lot of wax on your hearing aid when you remove it, or if you gradually get more and more feedback with your aid and feel it is okay for you to remove it, then you may flush out your ears. Drug stores carry wax-flushing kits for home use. You may first need to soften the wax prior to flushing. Wax softeners may also be purchased over the counter. Follow the directions carefully on the box. When flushing, point the syringe toward the ear canal. If the water is pointed directly on the eardrum, you may experience some dizziness. Tilt your head sideways so that the water runs out of your ear.

• Who would clean my ears for me?
  • It is usually best to see your physician to have your ears cleaned.

• How old do you have to be to have your hearing tested?
  • There is no limit on hearing testing, from newborns through adulthood. Testing is available that does not require patient participation.

• What do they do during a hearing test?
  • During a basic hearing test, the audiologist will lead the person to a soundproof booth, examine the ears with an otoscope, and put on earphones. The patient will then be asked to repeat words back and let the audiologist know when they hear beeps. Usually this is done with a hand raise, but the patient may also press a button or say 'yes'. The audiologist will then put on a metal headband and repeat the beeping task. If there is a difference in hearing between the two ears, the patient will have to listen for the beeps while they hear a static noise. Further testing may be completed outside the booth where a small probe is placed in the ear. The patient will feel a slight pressure change and hear some loud beeps.
    
    
  • Young children and multiply disabled adults are tested differently.

• How will ear infections affect my child in school?
  • Middle ear infections can cause a fluctuating, conductive hearing loss. A conductive hearing loss is when a problem in the outer or middle ear prevents sound from getting to the inner ear. The amount of hearing loss tends to change over time due to changes in the status of the middle ear. When an ear infection clears up, hearing usually improves. If ear infections remain for a long period of time or occur frequently, a child is expected to have more difficulty in school.
    
    
  • Hearing loss associated with middle ear infections has been associated with difficulties in speech-language development, social development and education. The amount of difficulty a child has in school depends on several factors including the degree of hearing loss, classroom situation and frequency of hearing loss. He or she would have difficulty hearing soft and distant speech in quiet situations.
    
    
  • In classrooms with poor room acoustics and background noise, hearing becomes even more difficult. The child may miss subtle conversational cues or parts of the instruction, have difficulty following directions, have difficulty paying attention or have difficulty with new vocabulary, grammar, spelling and reading. Difficulty with language and reading over time can affect other subjects. The child may ask for frequent repetitions and may learn better through other senses such as vision.