The Sticky Truth About Earwax in Ansonia, CT Square

The Sticky Truth About Earwax in Ansonia, CT | When to Clean, When to Leave It Alone, and When to See a Doctor

Earwax, or cerumen, naturally protects your ears by catching dust and repelling water. It often cleans itself out through jaw movements like chewing. However, attempting to remove it with cotton swabs can push it deeper, causing blockages and potential damage, so opt for safe removal methods or seek professional help when needed. Please contact Naugatuck Valley ENT at (203) 578-4630 to schedule an appointment.

Protecting Your Ears at Altitude from Barotrauma Tips for Air Travel and Diving in Middlebury, CT Square

Protecting Your Ears at Altitude from Barotrauma: Tips for Air Travel and Diving in Middlebury, CT

If you’ve ever felt ear discomfort while flying or diving, you’re not alone. Ear problems, particularly barotrauma, are some of travelers’ most frequent medical issues. Whether cruising at high altitudes or diving deep underwater, sudden changes in pressure can strain your ears, causing pain, hearing difficulties, and, in some cases, more severe complications.  Please contact Naugatuck Valley ENT at (203) 578-4630 to set up an appointment.

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Preventing Cognitive Decline: How Hearing Aids May Help Older Adults

Cognitive decline is an umbrella term used to describe both Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and Dementia. According to the Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, an estimated 12.23 million people in the United States were living with MCI in 2020, and this number is expected to grow to 21.55 million by the year 2060. Additionally, 6.07 million people were living with Alzheimer’s Disease (a type of Dementia) in 2020, and the number of people afflicted will grow to 13.85 million by the year 20601. While there are a variety of risk factors for developing MCI and Alzheimer’s Disease/Dementia, hearing loss has grown to become known as one of the most significant, modifiable risk factors for cognitive decline in older age.

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Understanding Dysgeusia | When Taste Goes Awry in Seymour, CT

Have you ever noticed that your favorite foods suddenly taste off or that everything has a metallic flavor? You might be experiencing Dysgeusia, a condition where your taste perception is altered. This issue is more common than you might think, affecting up to 17% of adults in the United States. Contact us at (203) 578-4630 to schedule an appointment.

Behind the Eardrum Navigating Cholesteatoma in Southbury, CT Square

Behind the Eardrum: Navigating Cholesteatoma in Southbury, CT

The Naugatuck Valley ENT team can manage cholesteatoma through various methods. Typically, complete removal of the skin or cyst requires surgical intervention. Before surgery, we may need to carefully clean your ear and prescribe medications to stop the drainage. These medications can be oral antibiotics, topical antibiotics, or both. Keeping the ear dry during this treatment period is advised. Contact Naugatuck Valley ENT at (203) 578-4630 to schedule an appointment.

The Dizzy Dilemma Understanding and Managing Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) Blog Post Square

The Dizzy Dilemma: Understanding and Managing Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) in Oxford, CT

Do you ever experience a sudden, spinning sensation or dizziness when you change the position of your head? It may happen when you turn over in bed, lie flat on your back, look up, or bend down. The sensation might feel intense and last longer than it does, often just a few seconds. If this sounds familiar, you could be dealing with Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo, commonly known as BPPV.

The Ringing Truth Exploring Tinnitus in Shelton CT Square

The Ringing Truth: Exploring Tinnitus in Shelton, CT

Tinnitus is a common condition where individuals experience ringing, buzzing, or other noises in their ears without any external sound source. More than 50 million Americans have encountered tinnitus at some point. For many, this is a temporary and minor inconvenience. Still, for about 20% of these individuals, tinnitus can be a persistent and bothersome issue that significantly impacts their quality of life and functional health.

Swimmers Ear Otitis Externa Explained Causes and Treatments in Ansonia CT Blog Post Square

Swimmer’s Ear (Otitis Externa) Explained: Causes and Treatments in Ansonia, CT

Swimmer’s Ear, or otitis externa, is a painful condition affecting the outer ear and ear canal. This condition often results from water getting trapped in the ear, leading to infection, inflammation, or irritation. Swimmer’s ear is particularly common among swimmers, but it can affect anyone, especially those with specific skin conditions or those who frequently use ear devices like earbuds or hearing aids. In this blog post, we will explore the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for swimmer’s ear and provide prevention tips.

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Navigating Treatments for Sensorineural Hearing Loss in Prospect, CT

Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SNHL) occurs when the tiny hair cells in the cochlea or the auditory nerve are damaged. These hair cells are crucial for converting sound waves into neural signals, which are then transmitted to the brain. When these cells or the auditory nerve are compromised, the sound energy that reaches the cochlea cannot be effectively converted, leading to hearing loss.

Understanding Sinusitis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options in Hamden, CT

Our noses facilitate breathing by helping to keep out potentially harmful dirt, allergens, and other agents. Our noses and sinuses can become infected or inflamed, making breathing uncomfortable or difficult. Learn more about some of the common sinus and nasal conditions Naugatuck Valley ENT can diagnose and treat. If you are suffering from sinus and nasal conditions, please contact Naugatuck Valley ENT at (203) 578-4630 to set up an appointment.