A STICKY SITUATION

Did you know that our Audiologists have the training and expertise to assess and manage the wax produced within your ear canals. You may be surprised to know that ear wax, also called cerumen, is actually a natural and healthy substance within our ear canals.

What exactly is cerumen? Cerumen, or wax, is a "combination of secretions from the cerumenous or aprocrine glands and sebaceous glands" within the ear canal (Purdy 2002). These secretions that come from the glands within the canal actually serve a functional purpose, and are not there simply to become bothersome. Cerumen acts as a defense mechanism for the canal and protects the tympanic membrane, or ear drum, from environmental hazards such as dust, debris, and even small insects. Cerumen also acts as a lubricant that is water repellant and an anti-bacterial/anti-fungal agent that provides protection for the tympanic membrane.

Most people have a normal amount of cerumen that is produced within the canal and naturally migrates out of the ear through a process known as epithelial migration. However, you may need additional assistance if you are one that produces an over production of ear wax. An over production of wax may cause problems with your hearing or your hearing aid(s).

The cerumen management process begins with our audiologist inspecting your ear canals using a visualization process known as Otoscopy. Using a handheld Otoscope or a microscope allows the ear canal to be fully viewed under clear light and magnification. Once the canal health has been assessed and is known to have an excessive amount of cerumen, a specific treatment option will be utilized. As Audiologists, we have a variety of removal options that are appropriate and safe. These methods can be, but are not limited to, the use of sterile curettes, alligator forceps, vacuum suction, irrigation and cerumen softener in conjunction with any of the aforementioned devices. The method of removal is determined by the Audiologist based specifically on your ear canal health and sensitivity.

Make sure that your ear wax doesn't interfere with your hearing.

IS THERE ANY VALUE OF

HAVING A SIGNIFICANT OTHER ACCOMPANY YOU TO YOUR FIRST HEARING     EVALUATION?      

Audiologists know that untreated hearing loss can have negative effects on a person's health and quality of life. But do we understand the difficulty it poses for our significant others? Individuals with hearing loss frequently report humiliation and frustration due to difficulty understanding what people say. We know that people with hearing loss sometimes withdraw from situations that they previously enjoyed because of difficulty participating in conversation due to the lack of hearing and understanding. So what about the people around us? What role do they play?

Imagine how many Americans communicate with someone that has a hearing loss. While there is plenty of information on hearing loss and treatment there is significantly less information on the effects of hearing loss on the significant others.

It is known that significant others play an important role in the rehabilitation and communication process of an individual with hearing loss. Of course this varies from person to person, but significant others can typically provide additional information about the effects of the hearing loss on daily life and provide some insight into how other family members and friends react to and are affected by the hearing loss.  

Communication strategies necessary for effective interactions are an important link in facilitating success in the hearing loss rehabilitative process.

Speak slightly slower, with a moderate voice volume and do not shout; repeat if necessary but attempt to rephrase rather than responding exactly the same; communicate at a reasonable distance and don't expect someone to respond and understand conversation from another room; be patient and calm when conversing and try not to get frustrated if the person does not hear or understand the first time.

Unfortunately, many people with hearing loss are not accompanied by a significant other when they see an audiologist about their hearing. While most audiologists do not require patients to have a someone accompany them to their appointment, it is known that when a significant other attends, at least the first appointment, it is more likely that the individual with the hearing loss with follow through with the recommendations of the audiologist more readily.