What Can I Do If My Ears Are Itchy?

Occasional ear itching is a frequent problem. The impulse to scratch one’s ears is strong since these areas are so sensitive and vulnerable to infection. In most cases, this is not a problem. However, ear itching can occasionally lead to more serious issues, including permanent damage to the ear canal.

Why Do My Ears Itch?

There are a variety of potential causes for ear itching. Itchy ears can be caused by anything that irritates the skin in that area, such as an insect bite or a fungal infection. When dealing with irritation, it is always best to consult a professional who can help narrow down the possible causes and provide a treatment plan.

Psoriasis, for instance, is a frequent reason for ear irritation. Psoriasis is characterized by the buildup of extra skin cells in the skin’s outermost layers, and it is caused by an autoimmune reaction. It’s very uncommon for the ear to experience scaling and itching when the accumulation of dead skin cells exceeds the rate at which they are removed.

An outer ear infection is another common cause (otitis externa). A common cause of this is swimming in chlorinated pools that are not well maintained or in lake water, thus the alternate term “swimmer’s ear.” Nonetheless, it can manifest itself when the ear is subjected to unclean objects, such as earphone buds.

Even though earwax helps prevent infections of the outer ear, it may sometimes be irritating to the skin. When there is an excess of earwax, it can build up and cause discomfort if it blocks the ear canal. Underproduction can cause the skin of the outer ear to dry up and crack, which in turn can cause persistent itching.

There are situations when ear irritation is the result of an anaphylactic reaction. This may be anything as basic as shampoo or a different type of ear medication. Ear canal inflammation and discomfort can also be brought on by using cotton swabs.

Ear Itching: Causes and Remedies

There are several potential causes of itching ears, therefore the treatment advised by your doctor will change based on the diagnosis. In order to promote natural healing, doctors often recommend self-care measures for patients to implement at home. You will need to exercise some self-control here:

    – To keep water from getting into inflamed regions, use a shower cover

    – Wait to go swimming until your condition improves.

     – Do not scratch or tug at your ears.

The treatment plan will change if an ear infection is found to be the root cause. In such instances, medical professionals typically recommend: Drops containing antibiotics to kill the microbes responsible for the itch, as well as drops containing corticosteroids to reduce the inflammation and pain in the area around the ear. There are circumstances where anti-fungal drops are necessary (or a combination of these medications).

When an allergy is suspected as the cause of ear itching, patients may undergo testing to identify allergens, and physicians may advise patients to refrain from using specific items or engaging in certain activities, such as swimming.

Earwax removal may be suggested to unclog the ear canal if it turns out to be the problem. Earwax removal can be achieved using a variety of methods, including irrigation, softening drops, suction, and curettes (small tools used to scrape up earwax).

Additionally, there are certain tried-and-true home treatments that might help. However, if the irritation persists, it’s best to see a doctor. The most important thing to keep in mind is that if you go to a doctor quickly enough, ear irritation is usually treatable and can even be prevented from becoming a persistent problem.

Please schedule your hearing assessment checkup with Southern Nevada Audiology in Las Vegas today!  Learn more about the advancements in modern hearing aids.

The tendency to believe that only your ears are affected by hearing loss is reasonable. Most tend to only focus on the body part being affected and their immediate symptoms. As it turns out, having trouble hearing may also increase your risk of falling and other mishaps.

Most people with hearing issues seemed to “learn to live with it” by limiting their social engagements, activities and conversations versus seeking professional help from an audiologist. When the hearing issue is only auditory, it is a lot simpler to solve. Treating hearing loss is vital when it threatens your equilibrium.

A survey taken by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found those with mild to moderate hearing loss have a 60% to 70% higher risk of being injured.

Another study by a doctor at Boston’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital investigated whether or not hearing loss contributed to the likelihood of being involved in an accident discovered that out of 6.6 million individuals who had an unintentional injury, roughly 16 percent said their hearing was not ideal.

United States residents have an ongoing growing issue of some sort of level of hearing loss.  The longer you live, the higher your risk becomes, because the incidence rate rises with age.  So you may be driving or going about without fully realizing the dangers your body is exposed to.

Knowing you have hearing issues and actually seeking professional treatment for it can be challenging.  After all, you might think that your current hearing situation is just adequate, or that getting hearing aids would not make a huge difference in your daily life. Getting the professional help needed for  hearing loss, will not only help you hear better it may also help avoid dangerous missteps.  Other benefits may include a more fulfilling social life,  making it easier to participate in conversations and not asking people to repeat themselves.

Some may feel ashamed when they realize they are a burden on their loved ones. This might mean less time spent with friends and family. Resuming your normal activities and spending time with supportive friends and family will be easier after your hearing loss has been treated.

Isolation has been linked to an increase in the prevalence of mental health problems. Consider the correlation between isolation and depression; if left untreated, the latter condition might worsen. Additionally, isolation increases the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, according to recent research. Therefore, by taking care of your hearing loss now, you are ensuring your future health and happiness.

Mental disorders develop as a result of the brain’s attempt to compensate for the hearing loss. This causes the other functions to feel the strain and fall off more rapidly. The deterioration of brain tissue is called atrophy. Regaining lost hearing is like doing a cognitive “reset” that has been shown to improve one’s mental abilities.

Clearly, there is more motivation to address hearing loss than just avoiding accidents. The advantages are numerous and varied.

Preserving your hearing health is the simple answer. Although the consequences of neglecting this aspect of one’s health are often underestimated, it is nonetheless crucial. Thankfully, at Southern Nevada Audiology we not only want to help treat your hearing loss we want to help you find answers to understand your hearing loss.

Please schedule your hearing assessment checkup with Southern Nevada Audiology in Las Vegas today!  Learn more about the advancements in modern hearing aids.

Coughs, stuffy nose and fever are common signs of getting sick. No matter the measures taken to help prevent it, certain illnesses can be infectious and may spread quickly.  An ear can become infected when the body becomes sick due to flu or allergies or even the common cold — any type of illness that would affect the nose or throat. These body parts are connected through the sinuses and are affected by each other, like how it hurts the throat if water rushes through the nose. In cases like this, the infection will usually go away with the initial illness but can stick around for a short while after. An infected ear can often turn a bright shade of red and be warm to the touch.

It is common for ear infections to clear up on their own. During the period of infection, the affected ear will probably be uncomfortable, itchy, red, warm and have some sort of hearing problems and sensitivity. These too should clear up along with the initial cause. 

While it is a challenge to avoid an ear infection if it happens due to a common cold, it is still possible to lessen the chances of it. Hygiene plays a huge part in preventing illness. If the body and the environment around it is kept sufficiently clean then harmful bacteria, mold and viruses will have less of a chance to evolve and spread. The ear is constantly exposed to all sorts of debris and thus is at risk of being infected by it. Cleaning the outer ear is a great way to prevent anything from getting into the inner ear. Washing with warm water and soap during a shower will suffice in most cases.

The ear does have natural defenses too. Earwax does an excellent job of capturing any invasive particles and usually tends to fall out on its own. Using a cotton swab to clean the inside of the ear is not only unnecessary but can actually be dangerous and can cause problems that can lead to some form of hearing loss. Cotton swabs are best used on the outer ear but should never be inserted into the ear canal.

If the ear does become infected, it is best to tend to the infection before symptoms like pus or ringing in the ear start to occur. As stated, the ear is connected to different parts of the body through sinuses and can affect them if the infection gets worse.

Please schedule your hearing assessment checkup with Southern Nevada Audiology in Las Vegas today!  Learn more about the advancements in modern hearing aids.

Summertime is here again! During the summer, there is a huge boom of outdoor events like conventions, concerts and water activities. The thing that connects large conventions, summer tours and even swimming is the underlying risks these activities pose to the ear and ultimately hearing.

The ear itself has two main parts: the inner ear and the outer ear. The outer ear is what most of us are familiar with and what most people would imagine when they say the word “ear” while the inner ear is the more delicate part of the ear. Certain activities can potentially damage the ear and require extra means of protection. 

For activities like swimming or any activities where foreign substances can more easily come into contact with and enter the ear, it is best to wear some kind of ear plug to prevent the invasion of a foreign substance. Large bodies of water can carry all sorts of bacteria and debris, whether it is the family pool or the local lake, and these things pose a risk when they enter the ear. Should the inside of the ear become wet, it is best to dislodge any water by turning the head to allow gravity to work. Temperature and elevation play a role in aural health as well. If it is a cold environment, it is best to keep ears warm to avoid otosclerosis or abnormal bone growth within the ear. 

What about the inner ear? Well, the inner ear has many unique formations that can be affected by outside influence. The most vulnerable formation is actually a tiny little hair. These hairs are on the Organ of Corti and are dubbed stereocilia. The thing about stereocilia is that they do not grow back when damaged so it is very important to take care of them while they are still around. These hairs respond to vibrations and send the sounds to our brains, allowing the perception of sound. Loud areas like concerts, conventions or places with crowds of people and noises can be dangerous for the stereocilia and it is recommended to wear earplugs to help dampen the audio load from these environments. 

Infections and ringing sounds in the ear (tinnitus) are not uncommon consequences of having fun over the summer. If these issues arise, be sure to contact your trusted audiologist to aid with and oversee the healing process. Most of the time, minor afflictions can go away on their own but it is still always best to have a professional opinion on whether or not any additional care is needed for a full recovery.

Please schedule your hearing assessment checkup with Southern Nevada Audiology in Las Vegas today!  Learn more about the advancements in modern hearing aids.

Every year, the month of May is used to bring awareness to a communications issue that 10% of the world’s population is affected by Hearing Loss and Speech Problems. With 5% of the population experiencing some form of hearing loss and another 5% experiencing some form of a speech problem, that means someone we know maybe dealing with these issues.  Seeing as this problem is more common than most people would think, it makes sense that there is effort to make the issues common knowledge. Recognizing hearing and speech issues is the first step to managing the symptoms to finding solutions.

Those in the medical field who specialize in hearing, balance and the ear in general are called audiologists. Audiologists have training in communication, how it can be affected by certain conditions and how patients can manage and treat these complications.

When it comes to communicating with someone experiencing hearing loss or speech problems, it is best to ask them how they prefer to communicate. Communication can include written messages or notes, sign language or simply speaking at a louder volume.  If a business is made aware of an issue, steps can be taken to ensure the best accommodations are made.  Most companies send out text messages and emails to communicate with clients or patients and call as a last resort, which allows people to manage appointments on their own time with the added bonus of written words. Written words can be reread at the reader’s own pace, which eliminates any confusion or embarrassment someone may experience by asking others to repeat themselves if they cannot hear well or misunderstand the speaker the second or even third time. 

While anxious or socially awkward people would prefer to communicate over the phone, those with speech problems would benefit from text messages and emails.  Phone conversations may not be their top preference since people with speech problems often are misunderstood. Speech problems can be characterized by uneven tempos in speech, repeating words, repeating syllables in words and difficulty pronouncing sounds correctly. A phone call can make conversations harder to understand and is not ideal for someone who is hard of hearing or has a speech impediment. 

For over 90 years, there have been efforts made to help increase awareness for better hearing and speech and how to help those who maybe experience these issues. Let us each do our part in sharing information and continue to bring awareness to those we know and love and let them know help is out there.

Please schedule your hearing assessment checkup with Southern Nevada Audiology in Las Vegas today!  Learn more about the advancements in modern hearing aids.

The body has many unique ways of defending itself from countless foreign bodies such as dust, pollen, bacteria, bugs and many, many other potential invaders. One such way the body does this is by producing things like mucus and earwax. Both of these icky, sticky substances, amazingly, are the foundation to a healthy body. It should also be noted that while cleaning the areas these substances are produced in is recommended sparingly, it is possible to cause injury if done improperly. Today, however, we will only be talking about the ear.

The ear is an interesting and complex organ with a couple of very important tasks. First thing that comes to mind for most people is hearing. The word ear brings up a specific image but that is only what we see on the surface. The part of the ear that we are familiar with is referred to as the ‘outer ear’. This part of the ear is resilient and also the entryway into the rest of the ear’s internal anatomy. It is also the main exit way for earwax.

Another familiar part of the ear would be the ear canal. This is where most earwax is found and often scraped from. This is also where the sensitivity begins. While trauma to the outer ear can affect hearing, most of it can be temporary if given treatment and time. However, damage or neglect to the inner ear is much more dangerous and much more likely to cause lasting problems. 

Improper cleaning of the inner ear can lead to compacting the earwax within the ear or against the eardrum. This can cause irritation or itchiness and even some hearing loss in mild situations. If not taken care of, these symptoms can evolve into something more bothersome or even detrimental to general health. Ear infections can indeed occur from a build up of compacted wax, sometimes referred to as ‘hard wax’. Tinnitus, a condition where sufferers report ringing or hissing noises, can also occur. The most terrifying condition that can occur from impacted wax or a damaged inner ear is called vertigo. 

Vertigo is when the ear’s second special function is disturbed, the ear’s ability to keep someone balanced. The ear is one of the most important organs for balance and some conditions can cause a disruption in balance. People who suffer this will probably notice an increase in clumsiness. 

Doctors will usually check the ear during regular check ups by shining a light into the ear canal or administering a hearing test but do not wait until then if something feels strange. Symptoms such as not hearing clearly or being able to balance, or if there is a persistent ringing sound, contact a trusted medical professional to help. Most ear problems can be taken care of with a simple visit to the doctor’s office and medicine or a new routine introduced and recommended. 

Please schedule your hearing assessment checkup with Southern Nevada Audiology in Las Vegas today!  Learn more about the advancements in modern hearing aids.

Preparing for a vacation can be exciting and exhausting.  Vacations are fun, they take people to new places with new experiences, people, food and for some, a renewed mind.  Over 60% of brave vacationers say they feel more relaxed after a vacation which means they are more than likely to do it again. However, prior to a vacation it can be a stressful time as people worry about car rentals, hotels, packing and remembering to bring all the necessary things such as a hearing aid.

Hearing aids are interesting little gadgets.  They help those who are hard of hearing to connect more with the world around them but they also connect with the world in their own way.  Since hearing aids tend to amplify sounds no matter what the sound, some noisy modes of transportation can be bothersome to the user.  Subways can amplify sounds to the point where most people will wear some sort of ear protection or buffer against it.  It is highly recommended that hearing aid users make proper adjustments or take proper steps to protect their ears.  Headphones that go over the ears are a common item used to dampen the sounds of loud noises.

Airplanes can also cause strain on the ear as they tend to be, on average, 10 decibels over what is considered a comfortable range.  Over ear headphones are a great tool in these types of environments as well but do not sell the flight attendants short.  Flight attendants are trained for all sorts of situations including ones where they find themselves in the service of a guest who is hard of hearing.  They will happily assist with any needs they are made aware of in a professional, polite and effective manner.

After reaching the coveted vacation spot, there is still the environment to consider.  The most popular vacation spot is the beach which means that hearing aids will be exposed to plenty of water and sand.  While regular nightly maintenance should still be performed, be sure to bring up the new and unusual environments the hearing aid might be exposed to with an audiologist so they can provide guidelines on how best to keep that hearing aid clean and functioning properly.

During the day, ears can still be exposed to all sorts of hazards.  For sunny climates, sunburn is a possibility and a small amount of sunscreen on the ears is best.  For colder climates, earmuffs are recommended to keep ears warm and prevent exostosis which is when bones grow inside the inner ear.  Whether it be skiing or surfing, be sure to take the extra time to learn the facts and reduce vacation time stress by keeping those ears clean, safe and healthy.

Please schedule your hearing assessment checkup with Southern Nevada Audiology in Las Vegas today!  Learn more about the advancements in modern hearing aids.

Many nations around the world have a day where love is celebrated with candy, dates or flowers.  Relationships, especially long lasting ones, usually start from the same place: communication.

Talking to someone is the first step to getting to know them: what do they like, what do they fear, what did they think of the latest episode of that new popular show? Communication requires work and effort from both parties but an important first step is listening.

Hearing loss, in any form, can cause strain on both established relationships and ones just beginning to blossom. Missing out on a grandchild’s first recital, not quite catching the engagement announcement from that best friend, being unable to hear the first cries of a child – hearing loss can take away too much.

Be there for those important moments by taking care of your aural health. That is, the health and maintenance of the ear.  At Southern Nevada Audiology, we help our patients understand and treat their hearing loss.  We discuss hearing solutions and explore the best technology to match your lifestyle.

Hearing aids are an option for most stages of hearing loss. Simply calibrate the device and it is ready to go! Most hearing aids are small and discreet and have a Bluetooth option to connect easily to a cellphone or any other device that offers Bluetooth connection, like tablets or gaming devices. This allows for hands free conversations at the push of a button without even having to be next to the phone. As time goes on and the use of a hearing aid device becomes second nature, the device will be in need of maintenance.  Daily maintenance is a must to avoid wear and tear and ensure the longevity and optimal peformance of devices. 

Please schedule your hearing assessment checkup with Southern Nevada Audiology in Las Vegas today!  Learn more about the advancements in modern hearing aids.