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Category: Tips

Better Hearing Month

Posted on by Peoria Ear, Nose & Throat Group in , ,

In 1927, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) designated May as Better Hearing and Speech Month. Encouraging people to think about their own hearing and get their hearing checked is the first step towards addressing the issue of hearing loss.

Noise is now acknowledged as an important public health issue and is actually a top environmental risk faced by the world today, according to the World Health Organization’s first World Report on Hearing.

The average person is born with about 16,000 hair cells within the inner ear, which allow your brain to detect sounds. You can lose 30-50% of those cells before changes in your hearing can be measured by a hearing test. Noise can also damage the auditory nerve that carries information about sounds to your brain. Although there is no treatment to restore normal hearing once it has been damaged, there are steps you can take to help prevent hearing loss.

  • Turn the volume down on your TV or music.
  • If you can, avoid loud or noisy activities or places; if you can’t avoid them, try to limit your exposure time and take breaks from the noise.
  • If you’re around loud sounds, use hearing protection (such as foam earplugs) and move away from the largest sound source (i.e. speakers, fireworks, etc).

Early identification and intervention for hearing loss is important. Unidentified hearing loss causes many people to fail to realize they are missing certain words and sounds. Our highly-trained Doctors of Audiology have completed several years of specialized education in order to appropriately treat patients for a variety of auditory conditions, including hearing loss.

With advances in cutting-edge technology, hearing aid manufacturers like Starkey, Phonak, and Resound all offer high-quality products to improve your hearing. Our Doctors of Audiology can help discover the best option for you based on your personal needs and lifestyle.

  • Starkey’s Edge AI hearing aids are the smallest wireless custom hearing aids available. Each device is expertly tailored to your unique hearing needs for optimal clarity. With cutting-edge technology that mimics the brain’s auditory cortex, it classifies complex soundscapes, enhances speech, and reduces noise in real-time. Built to handle everyday challenges, these hearing aids are waterproof and sweatproof, and some models even offer a battery life up to 51 hours on a single charge.
  • Phonak Audéo Sphere Infinio hearing aids provide crystal-clear sound quality and feature an AI chip for advanced sound processing and personalized hearing experiences. Available in a wide range of colors to match your personal style, these are designed for all-day comfort and confidence.
  • Resound’s Intelligence Augmented technology, a human approach to AI, you can embrace the vividness of life from all the sounds around you while hearing through the noise as nature intended. Vivia is the smallest RIC style hearing aid with dual chip, triple processors to contrast unwanted noise from speech, and has the world’s first Auracast Assistant for hearing aids.

Our audiologists will perform your evaluation and help determine if hearing aids are the correct remedy for your issue(s) and which device will meet your personal needs. They will help program your hearing aids and provide support for any questions you may have.

Comprehensive ENT Care: Helping You Breathe, Hear, and Feel Better

Posted on by Peoria Ear, Nose & Throat Group in , , , ,

At Peoria ENT, we understand how important your ear, nose, and throat health is to your overall well-being. Whether you’re struggling with allergies, sinus pain, hearing loss, or sleep issues, our expert team is here to help you feel your best.

Our board-certified specialists—also known as ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctors or otolaryngologists—are trained to diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions for both children and adults, including:

  • Hearing problems and ear infections
  • Sinus and allergy issues
  • Thyroid conditions
  • Voice and swallowing difficulties
  • Sleep apnea and severe snoring
  • Ear tube placements and surgical treatments
  • Head, neck, and throat cancers
  • Facial injuries and congenital conditions

We know that every patient is unique, and that’s why we take the time to listen to your concerns, accurately diagnose your symptoms, and create a personalized treatment plan that works for you.

With over 100 years of combined experience, our Peoria ENT team is dedicated to providing the highest level of care. Whether you need a routine check-up or advanced treatment, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Your health matters. Let’s work together to help you breathe easier, hear more clearly, and live more comfortably.

For more information, please visit our website at peoriaent.com or call (309) 589-5900.

What Is an Allergy and How Is It Treated?

Posted on by Peoria Ear, Nose & Throat Group in ,

Allergy causes are seemingly everywhere. They can include airborne allergens (such as mold, pollen, animal dander, or dust mites), foods (most common with peanuts, wheat, soy, fish, shellfish, eggs, or milk), insect stings, medications, or other substances (like latex). When you have allergies, your immune system reacts by producing antibodies that identify a particular allergen as harmful, even though it isn’t. When you come into contact with that allergen, your system’s reaction can inflame your skin, sinuses, airways or digestive system. Over 50 million Americans (1 in 6) experience some type of allergy.

Symptoms range from mild to severe and can include sneezing, itchy eyes, nose, or throat, runny or stuffy nose, hives, swelling of the lips, tongue, or face, or a rash. In the most extreme cases, it may trigger a life-threatening reaction known as anaphylaxis. Those with a family history of asthma or allergies, who have asthma or another allergic condition themselves, or children may be more likely to develop an allergy.

The first step in treating an allergy is an accurate diagnosis by an immunologist or allergist, usually involving either skin pricks and/or blood tests. This decides whether symptoms are caused by an allergy and if so, what triggers it as accurately as possible. The diagnosis will target the appropriate treatment or clinical intervention to allow avoidance of the trigger.

Treatment options may involve managing symptoms through the use of antihistamine creams, pills, steroid creams, inhalers, or auto-injectors. For allergens related to food, drugs, venom, latex, or pet dander, avoidance is a possible approach. In cases of acute tongue swelling or anaphylaxis, rescue medications may be necessary. Another avenue is immunotherapy, where allergy shots containing a controlled amount of a specific allergen help stimulate the immune system gradually, building tolerance over time. It’s crucial to be aware of potential interactions during allergen avoidance, such as cross-reactions between latex and fruits/vegetables or tree pollen and fresh fruits.

Although seasonal allergies are common, the truth is that allergies can affect us at any time throughout the year. At Peoria ENT, our team of allergy & asthma specialists are dedicated to providing you with the highest quality of care. Our highly-trained providers have completed several years of specialized education and will take the time to diagnose your symptoms and discover the best treatment option.

For more information, please visit our website at peoriaent.com or call (309) 589-5900.

Keeping Kids Safe: Food Allergies During the Holidays

Posted on by Peoria Ear, Nose & Throat Group in

The holidays are coming up, and we know that everyone is looking forward to enjoying a holiday meal with their family and friends. But, for parents of children with food allergies, this time of year can bring uncertainty and unease. Help keep your little ones safe this holiday season with the following food allergy tips!

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