Hearing Loss is More Common Than You Think But What You Should Do To Avoid It?

Hearing loss is way more common than you could imagine. In fact, more than 20 percent of millenials below 20 experience some sort of hearing loss these days. There can be many reasons for hearing loss or damage. In fact, there is sufficient evidence that as much as 53 percent of people between 20-70 experience some sort of hearing loss.

These numbers could be surprising but hearing loss is increasing drastically and certainly not just because work-place noise. There can be many contributors for a person to lose his hearing ability. Whatever the reason and however common it is, hearing loss is a serious issue and in most cases it is irreversible.

Why Hearing Loss is Serious?

Because hearing loss is permanent. Period! However, you can take advantage of the expertise of few ENT specialists and reduce the inconveniences significantly. Nothing fits prevention is better than cure as much as hearing loss fits to it.

But what you can do to avoid it? This blog discusses how you can avoid hearing loss, how to know the symptoms and take helps from the best ENT specialists out there. Read on!

How Hearing Loss Occurs?

It is a simple math! Hearing loss occurs when the ears are exposed to loud noise for an extensive period. The intense sounds can damage the auditory nerve which is responsible to carry sound signals to the brain. In humans, the damage is irreversible.

What are the reasons behind hearing loss?

There can be only two reasons (at least in majority of the cases) for hearing loss - Age and Extended hours of exposure to sounds.

Age: Like any other organ in the body, ears tend to lose their effectiveness as the person ages. Even though ageing is something that you could not avoid, you could avoid hearing loss by providing your ears the care they need from the ENT doctors.

Noise: It has become a common norm for people to listen to music through headphones or earphones for a longer time than their ears could handle. Listening to music at top volume can make hearing loss an inevitable consequence.

What are the symptoms of hearing loss?

Fortunately, hearing loss symptoms are pretty evident and immediate. Most of these symptoms are common for almost all types in loss of hearing.

• Communication becomes difficult - The first sign is, you could not follow people who are talking in their regular communicative voice. You might ask them repeat what they just said and they might tell you that you are not following them.
• Increased volume on gadgets - You might turn up the volume of your music gadget or the TV to listen it clearly.
• You might not hear the regular noise - As you are so used to the regular noises such as traffic, office and shopping complexes, it might be surprising as you could not hear them unless they are pretty loud.

What is the treatment for hearing loss?

Treatment depends on the type and cause for the hearing loss. You ENT specialist will conduct various diagnostic procedures such as physical examination, general screening, app-based hearing tests, and audiometer tests. Based on the results of the diagnostic procedures, the ENT specialist team that consists of ENT consultants and ENT surgeons proceed with treatment options that include surgery, hearing aids and cochlear implants.

How to Avoid Hearing Loss?

Even though hearing loss is becoming more and more common in this generation, it is imperative to be aware of the preventive measures and duly implement them in your day to day life. Here are a few tips for you to prevent hearing loss.

• Music at low levels - We all love music! But remember, you should have the hearing ability to enjoy it. Always keep your music at lowest levels possible.
• Become a quite-place enabler - Be that one person who tells people to keep their sounds low. It could be in a fully packed traffic or at an event.
• Use ear protection - If you are in a profession where your are exposed to loud noises, ensure you use proper ear protection always.
• Regular ear check-ups - Make it a practice of consulting your ENT doctor at regular intervals to clean the ears and check their functionality.

Coupling of Rhinitis and Dizziness

When winter comes, allergy-causing microbes have a celebration. Yes, the cold climate is congenial for the germs to breed and they have a merry time causing infections and epidemics. Allergic rhinitis is one such ailment that causes nasal congestion, continuous sneezing, runny nose, irritation in the eyes, etc. Treatment for allergic rhinitis should be taken from a professional ENT specialist to get immediate relief.

What is Allergic Rhinitis?

Allergic Rhinitis is a type of basal allergy that is characterised by the inflammation of the nasal lining. It is the reaction of the body's immune system to allergens present in the environment. It may also be caused by the common cold, sinusitis, etc. Allergic Rhinitis can be seasonal when it occurs during winter. Some people have a genetic predisposition of allergy and hence may be affected by perennial Allergic Rhinitis caused by dust, house mites, pollen etc. Treatment for allergic rhinitis can be done only by an expert ENT doctor. It involves intake of antihistamines to control nasal congestion, sneezing, irritation in the eyes, etc. Other remedial measures may include the use of nasal sprays, decongestants, etc. In severe cases, endoscopic sinus surgery or septoplasty may be required to treat acute rhino sinusitis and must be done only by experienced ENT specialists.

The signs and symptoms of Allergic Rhinitis

Allergic Rhinitis or Hay Fever is characterised by the following symptoms

• Runny, itchy or stuffy nose
• Nasal congestion
• Sneezing
• Irritation in the eyes
• Headache
• Eczema
• Hives
• Fatigue
• Dizziness

Dizziness caused by Allergic Rhinitis can be really difficult to handle for some patients. It can be cured by allergic rhinitis treatment.

Can allergic rhinitis cause dizziness?

Yes, allergic rhinitis can cause dizziness in some patients. when the body is exposed to allergens in the atmosphere like pollen, dust, pet dander, etc, the immune system reacts by secreting chemicals called histamines to combat them. these histamines cause all the symptoms of allergic rhinitis like a runny or itchy nose, nasal congestion, sneezing, irritation in the eyes, dizziness, etc.

What is the reason for the dizziness caused by allergic rhinitis?

Allergic rhinitis causes the inflammation of the nose and blocks the ear passage. It affects the ear canal called the Eustachian tube. The Eustachian tube connects the middle ear with the throat at the back. This tube is responsible for equalising the air pressure in the middle ear with the air pressure in the external ambience. This equalising of air pressure is vital for maintaining body balance.

When allergic rhinitis sets in, this Eustachian tube gets clogged as it is blocked with mucus. When this occurs, the blocked Eustachian tube is not able to balance the air pressure and this upsets the body balance, causing dizziness.

Dizziness is caused by allergic rhinitis in people suffering from the common cold, sinus infections and allergies. When people experience dizziness, they feel as if the room is spinning all around. This dizziness does not settle even if you lie down. Allergic rhinitis treatment with antihistamines can relieve ear congestion and restore the body balance to relieve dizziness. Only an expert ENT specialist can prescribe the right medication for the treatment of dizziness caused by allergic rhinitis.

What to do when you are affected by dizziness caused by allergic rhinitis?

Expert ENT specialists recommend the following ways to combat dizziness caused by allergic rhinitis.

• When you feel dizzy, try to sit don lowly and remain seated
• Do not stand up quickly
• Do not move fast
• do not move your head
• Drink lots of water, especially in the evening. When you are hydrated, fluids help to dilute the nasal mucus. Liquids help to relieve stuffiness at night by draining the mucus
• Avoid alcohol, tobacco and coffee. These can alter your blood circulation and affect your ears.

Allergic rhinitis affects 10-30% of the world population every year. Get treatment for allergic rhinitis and its dizziness from an expert ENT specialist immediately to get substantial relief from this ailment.

Snoring in Children

Many children snore during sleep and nearly ten percent of them snore more at night. Snoring in children happens when the inhaled air gets blocked while passing through the back of the mouth. This opening and closing of air passages vibrates the throat tissues causing snoring. The loudness of the snore is dependent on the amount of air that is passing through and the extent of vibration.

Usually, children above three years of age are likely to snore in deep sleep. Yet, it is to be noted that extremely loud night snoring can indicate a problem even if the children are otherwise healthy. This is because they could be suffering from breathing problems. Besides, snoring in children could also imply a stuffy nose, allergy, respiratory infection or more severe disorders like sleep apnea.

Snoring Causes in Children

• Seasonal allergies leading to blockage and stuffiness in the nose
• Common cold, asthma or sinus infections that can create blockages in the nasal passage and airways leading to rattling snoring sounds
• A deviation in the septum which is the tissue and cartilage that bifurcates the two nostrils in the nose
• Enlargement of the tonsils or adenoids
• Overweight problems which lead to the narrowing of air passages
• Sleep disorders like sleep apnea where the airways are obstructed inhibiting the free passage of air. This could result in breathing pauses which could last for a few seconds or even prevail for a minute making the child gasp for air
• Certain medical and neurological health issues
• Abnormalities in the anatomical  structure of the jaw or face
• Gastro-Intestinal Reflux Disorder(GERD)

Impact of Snoring on Children

Habitual snoring in which occur as frequent episodes (at least thrice a week at nights) should not be ignored as it signifies an underlying medical problem. Disturbed sleep due to snoring and other related problems like obstruction of airways can make children hyperactive or disruptive in the classroom and even affect mental concentration. The consequences can be more serious in severe cases where children face increased threat of metabolic and hypertension disorders, delayed growth or even cardiovascular problems. Hence, it is strongly advisable to consult the ENT doctor if symptoms persist.

Snoring Treatment

• Lifestyle Changes - In mild cases, making some simple lifestyle modifications can act as a good remedy and cure for snoring. Avoiding eating heavy meals at night, losing excess weight, removing any possible triggers of allergy including pets and stuffed animals from the child’s room, maintaining hygiene in the home surroundings and tilting the bed top by a few inches upwards are some such techniques for reducing occasional snoring.
• Medication - Doctors may prescribe anti-allergic medicines, antihistamines and antibiotics if allergies and infections are the root cause. They may also recommend nasal snoring solutions to relieve the nasal congestion and dilate the nostrils for preventing snoring.
• External Devices - Oral Appliances may be suggested by paediatric dentists to keep the air passages open and enable easier breathing for preventing snoring. Certain nasal strips and pressurised air masks like Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine and palatal implants also help to reduce snoring significantly.
• Surgical Intervention - Throat surgery for snoring is usually recommended for children who suffer from snoring due to large tonsils or adenoids. Mostly, these surgeries are performed mainly to treat obstructed breathing rather than removing the tonsils or adenoids. Nowadays, laser surgery for snoring (Laser-Assisted Uvulopalatoplasty or LAUP) is gaining increased popularity due to its high success rates in treating Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) that causes the snoring. Surgeries are also done to remove structural abnormalities like a deviated septum.

ENT Treatment in Coimbatore is known for its competency in treatment for snoring and other related sleep problems. ENT doctors in Coimbatore offer promising services thanks to their enriched experiences and specialisation. For more information, please connect with this ENT hospital in Coimbatore.

Importance of Speech Therapy in Correcting Your Child’s Speech

The importance of ability of expression could not be emphasised more in life. Various factors contribute to speech disabilities in children, reducing their ability of expression at various levels. Based on the severity of the issue, children may find difficulties in pronunciation, rate of speech and even in comprehension at various levels. Speech therapy is the medical solution to address these issues.

Speech therapy specialists, also known as speech or language pathologists, help children in improving their communication, language development, cognitive and pragmatic skill, using medical techniques techniques.

Early intervention of therapy can improve the treatment response significantly. The team of speech therapy that typically consists speech therapy pathologists, physician and the physical therapy specialist. The careful evaluation focuses on finding the speech disorders that include articulation, fluency and resonance disorders.

Also, the evaluation also focuses on language disorders such as receptive, expressive and cognitive communication disorders. In addition, oral feeding disorders also contribute to speech and language issues in children. Based on the findings of the evaluation, the team for speech therapy is formed.

Continue reading the blog to understand the importance of correcting speech disorder in children, that too, in the initial stages.

How to Find if the Therapy is Needed for Your Child?

It is a challenging task to find if there are any speech-related issues in the early stages of childhood. But close observation and a fair bit of awareness on the speech and hearing disorders can help parents to recognize the issue.

The following are the conditions that help you decide if you are in need of consulting a speech pathologist or a rehabilitation specialist.

    • Delay in response time

    • Hoarseness for a long time

    • Articulation issues

    • Finding difficulty in swallowing

    • Cleft lip or cleft palace issues

    • Hearing impairments

    • Visible cognitive developmental delays

    • Undergoing traumatic shock or injuries

These are the few situations (but not limited to) you should consult the therapist. The early the detection occurs the better the chances of cure. 

How Speech Therapy Helps?

Based on the evaluation reports, the speech and language therapists follow different set of techniques and strategies.

    • Language Enhancement Techniques - This includes colourful pictures, books, videos and objects. The therapist will interact with the kid by involving them using repetitive and language building exercices. 

    • Sound Production Therapy - The therapist will teach how to pronounce each sound or syllable in the practice sessions. The therapist also help them in correcting their pronunciation that also involve playing activities to make the session more engaging. 

    • Swallowing Therapy - Various exercises are employed which includes tongue, jaw and facial exercises to address the swallowing issues in children. Not just the physical issues but the speech therapists also include the texture and temperature, taste and other elements that encourage the child to swallow better.

Importance of Choosing the Right Speech Pathologist -

Choosing the right speech therapist for improved speaking skills of your child is pivotal. The potential involvement of a speech language therapist can stimulate the speaking ability with the help of continuos trying sessions by the expert.

Parents need to understand the qualification of the specialist and take his/her experience into consideration. Well acclaimed academic qualifications and certifications can help you in finding the right speech rehabilitation specialist in your locality.

The Role of Parents -

The success of a child’s speech therapy is more dependent on the parents than the specialist himself. They need to understand the level of their child’s issue and help the child in practicing the prescribed techniques on a regular basis.

Parents understand the progress of the kid and the direction of the treatment more than anyone else. In fact, they make the therapist understand the progress and whether the therapy is in line with the child’s speech requirement.

Conclusion -

The therapy for improving speech and language skills is time consuming and the improvement is linear. It also takes a lot of effort and dedication, both from the specialist and from the parents. But it all worth it in the end when you could see your child calling you mom or dad.

Voice Disorders – The Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Human being is a social animal and the ability of expression plays a vital role in order to thrive individually in any society. As individuals, we need to express what we feel or need and it makes our daily living more convenient. However, voice disorders may get in your way for various reasons, obstructing the quality of living.

Voice is nothing but the air vibrations made by the vocal cords when the air is forced to pass through the larynx. Issues with voice, tone, pitch, word-flow and rate of speech, and different other issues with vocal cords are considered as voice disorders. In simple terms, anything that interferes with your vocal cords can cause voice disorders. Continue reading the blog to know more about different types of voice disorders, what causes them, the symptoms and the treatment methods.

Here are the major voice disorders: 

• Vocal cord paralysis - Vocal cords can be partially or fully paralysed due to a stroke or any other severe shock that damages the vocal cord nerves. If one or both vocal cords are damaged fully, the person will experience difficulty in breathing and speaking. Partial damage may result in weak and breathy voice. Sometimes, partial damage will be cured on its own however it always advisable to undergo the diagnosis by an expert ENT specialist for better results. 
• Laryngitis - This is a condition where the larynx swells due to some external health condition that includes chronic cough, asthma and even due to cold. In chronic laryngitis condition, the swell lasts for a longer period, making it difficult for the person to talk. 
• Spasmodic dysphonia - The vocal cords get spasm due to the nerved issue, making the person sound quivery, weak and talk in a breathy voice.

The Reasons Behind Voice Disorders - 

Anything that gets in the way of air and vocal cords can be a potential threat for voice disorders. Here are a few possible causes for voice disorders. 

• Nerve problems - In most cases, nerve damage can lead to voice disorders. The nerve damage can happen due to stroke, surgeries or chronic health condition conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and myasthenia gravis. 
• External growth affecting the structure of vocal cords - The formation of additional tissue in the throat region can affect the structure of vocal cords leading voice disorders. The growths include cysts, warts and fluid-filled sacs can contribute to voice disorders. 
• Excessive vocal cord abuse - Abusing the vocal cords excessively and long-term stress on them can damage the structure of vocal cords leading to voice disorders.

When You Should See the ENT Specialist -

It is advisable to consult the throat specialist if you observe quivering sound, breathy voice, weak sound and irregular pitch in voice. The doctor may conduct the diagnostic procedures based on the severity of the symptoms.

Diagnosis for Voice Disorders - 

Otolaryngologists, popularly known as ENT specialists, use various diagnostic methods to determine the type and treatment for the voice disorder. They may use equipment such as laryngoscopy that allows the specialist to have a clear look at the larynx. Apart from that laryngeal EMG, stroboscopy and imaging tests are conducted based on the necessity.

Treatment for Voice Disorders - 

Early recognition of voice disorders can improve the chances of a cure. Typically, doctors follow speech therapy techniques, working in association with speech pathologists. This may work for the people who are experiencing voice disorders in the initial days. For the issues that are advanced may require treatment that includes medicines, injections and even surgery.

Talking about surgeries, throat surgeons in India are gaining popularity world-wide. The hospitals too are housing the advanced equipment for a world-class ENT care. With little research and time, you could find the best ENT specialty clinic in your locality. Reach out to the ENT specialists as early as possible to find the right solutions for your all voice disorders.

5 Signs of Throat Cancer

Throat cancer is something we have all seen in the cinemas. Not in soapy, dramatic films, but in the government advertisements displayed in the interest of the public. These adverts have made popular a name, that we all loathe hearing about. But are we paying attention to the issue that counts? Throat cancer is not the deadliest type of cancer prevalent, but it definitely has the potential to cause fatalities. In 2012, 300, 000 new cases of throat cancers were identified, making it the 13th most commonly diagnosed cancer in men. It is believed that the deadly disease is more common in men than women, universally. The age of incidence also seems to be unfair towards the 50 plus age group. However, it does not mean that the younger section of the population can slack off. Lifestyle has changed drastically, spiralling downwards, making it impossible to say anyone is safe from the clutches of cancer.

Throat cancer occurs in three different regions associated with the throat – back of the mouth, upper food pipe and the voice box. The most common types of throat cancer are Laryngeal (voice box) and pharyngeal (upper food pipe or pharynx) cancers. The causes of smoking, as can be inferred from the notorious cinema ads, can be smoking. However, there is an increase in the cancers caused by a non-smoking factor – Human Papillomavirus (HPV). HPV-related throat cancer can occur even among non-smoking, younger individuals. 

The diagnosis and treatment of cancer may differ in some aspects but the gravity of the situation seldom changes. The risk of the malignant tumours may spread across to other parts of the body if not diagnosed. Age-old sayings may be a bore to deal with, but true nevertheless. Diagnosing cancer early does not only improve the chances of survival and recovery but may bring down the cost of throat cancer treatment significantly.

Early diagnosis for cancer is not an easy feat. One has to be aware of the symptoms and go for that lingering decision on a check-up. Most forms of cancer do not exhibit visible or distinctive symptoms. However, if the throat cancer symptoms mentioned below are persistent over an extended period of time, it is better to consult with a throat specialist doctor. There are many throat surgeons in India who can help with the same.  You can find some of the best throat specialists in an ENT hospital.

Throat cancer symptoms can resemble common ailments or even symptoms of other fatal diseases. However, these can vary from person to person and depends on where the cancer develops first. Signs of throat cancer include:

1. Change in the voice/ Hoarseness - One of the indicators is an extreme change in the voice of an individual. Though sore throat causes such a change, look out for something that is even more significant. A raspy voice or hoarseness over a significant amount of time calls for attention.
2. Difficulty in swallowing - If every meal seems like a challenge or if there’s this feeling of a lump in the throat all the time, it is a red card.
3. Lump in the neck - Throat cancer tumours can develop in different regions associated with the throat. This includes the neck. An uneasy mass or lump to the touch requires immediate clinical examination.
4. Persistent cough - It is to be noted that severe cough continuous and existing over a prolonged period of time may be symptom. Not every cough may be a symptom, but if you find it unusual, go for a doctor examination.
5. Unexplained weight loss - If there is a sudden dip in the kilos, not caused by a change in diet or a strict work out regime, it can be a symptom of cancer. Eliminate any cause for concern immediately.

The above-mentioned symptoms can only occur in some individuals. There may or may not be more symptoms. Being cautious is always better than being sorry. We may not be active in cancer prevention, however, we can avoid the common causing agents of cancer like tobacco and smoking. Spread awareness, diagnose early, stay safe. 

Everything about adenoids

Does your child have bad breath, difficulty in swallowing or sleeping, frequent throat or ear infections, snoring problems etc.? Then, there is a great probability of your child having adenoids. It is best that you consult an ENT specialist at the best ENT hospital in Coimbatore.

What are adenoids?

Adenoids are a bundle of lymphatic tissue located at the back of the nose and above the palate or the roof of the mouth. They are also called pharyngeal tonsils. They form a part of the body's immune system by trapping harmful pathogens like bacteria and viruses before being swallowed. They thus protect the body from infections by flushing out unwanted particles like dust and germs.

Adenoids are at their largest size in kids aged 3-5, start shrinking at the age of 7-8 years, and completely disappear during the teenage years.

How do the adenoids function?

Adenoids are covered with mucus and small hair called cilia.  These hairy cilia wave in the air and trap the dust and bacteria in the mucus. These unwanted particles and germs are flushed away with the mucus. During this process, the adenoids might get swollen, causing difficulty in breathing and/or swallowing.

Enlarged Adenoids and their symptoms

Children often suffer from enlarged adenoids due to infection in their childhood. Enlarged adenoids seldom occur in adults unless they suffer from an allergy, chronic infection, pollution or smoking. 

When the adenoids are enlarged, the patient suffers from the following symptoms

• Runny or stuffy nose
• Noisy breathing
• Snoring
• Sleep apnea or Trouble in sleeping
• Swollen neck glands
• Ear infections
• Dry mouth
• Cracked lip
• Bad breath

Enlarged adenoids must be addressed immediately as they cause several allied health problems like sleep apnea, sinus infections, throat infections like strep throat or ear infections like otitis media. Sometimes, if left unnoticed, the adenoids remain permanently enlarged throughout life. In adults, enlarged adenoids are seen as a sign of cancer. So, the right thing to do on encountering the above symptoms would be to consult an ENT specialist without further delay.

What to do if the adenoids are enlarged? 

The first thing to do on finding the adenoids enlarged is to consult an ENT specialist. The ENT doctor examines the adenoids with a long tube called endoscope and then decide on the course of action. Oral medicines and antibiotics may be prescribed or if the infection is too severe, the ENT specialist may suggest the removal of the adenoids by adenoidectomy.

Get your adenoidectomy done from a reputed ENT doctor in Coimbatore to gain quick and painless relief from this condition.

Adenoidectomy

Adenoidectomy is a surgical procedure involving the removal of the adenoid tissue. It is a simple operation executed in just 30 minutes if handled by an expert ENT surgeon like the ones available at the best ENT hospital in Coimbatore. The surgical procedure is easy and painless and does not require any stitches or sutures. The patient can get discharged from the hospital within the same day.

After surgery, the patient may experience a sore throat or mild pain for which pain-relievers and antibiotics are prescribed.  The patient is advised to take soft foods and fluids to avoid discomfort. Recovery is quick and the patient recoups within a few days.

Enlarged adenoids and cancer

Enlarged adenoids are seen as a risk of cancer and must be dealt with immediately by consulting expert ENT specialists. Cancer of the lymphatic system called lymphoma may cause the adenoid to enlarge forming tumours. Adenoid cystic carcinoma is a type of cancer of the adenoids which causes them to enlarge.

So, never ignore the symptoms of adenoids or the swelling of neck glands in both children and adult. Rush to a trusted ENT specialist or the best ENT hospital in Coimbatore for permanent relief and swift recovery.