Self-Test for Hearing Loss

Are you worried about your hearing? Do you have concerns about how your child hears? Ask yourself the questions below to find out if you should have a hearing test.

See an audiologists if you answer “yes” to more than two of the following questions:

• Do you have a problem hearing over the telephone?
• Do you hear better in one ear than the other when you are on the phone?
• Do you have trouble understanding when two or more people talk at the same time?
• Do people complain that you turn the TV volume up too high?
• Do you have to strain to understand what people say?
• Do you have trouble hearing in a noisy place?
• Do you have trouble hearing in restaurants?
• Do you have dizziness, pain, or ringing in your ears?
• Do you ask people to repeat what they said?
• Do family members or coworkers tell you that you are not hearing what they say?
• Do many people you talk to seem to mumble or not speak clearly?
• Do you have trouble understanding women and children?
• Do people get annoyed because you don’t understand what they say?
• Does my child need to have his or her hearing tested?
• Take your child to see an audiologists if you notice any of the following:
• Your child does not always respond to sounds.
• Your child does not say many words.
• Your child’s speech is not clear.
• You notice that your child has the TV, radio, or headphones turned up too loud.
• Your child does not follow directions.
• Your child says, “Huh?” or “What?” a lot.
• Your child does not answer when your call for him.

Protecting Your Hearing from Loud Noise Exposure

Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is becoming increasingly common with each passing year. Properly protecting your ears from exposure to sounds over 85 decibels (dB) is very important, especially if you regularly participate in loud activities. While one-size-fits-all earplugs offer some benefit, anyone regularly exposed to loud noise should invest in custom earplugs for full protection. We offer custom earmolds for standard earplugs as well as for specialty plugs such as hunter’s plugs, musician’s monitors, swimmer’s plugs and more. Custom-made earplugs are ideal for Akron residents who regularly attend sporting events, go hunting, ride motorcycles, enjoy woodworking, mow or snow/leaf blow their law, attend rock concerts and more. You should also try to buy quieter appliances, keep the volume on your music and TV low, and limit the number of appliances or tools you use during your regular routine.

Protecting Your Hearing from Infection & Disease

Some infections and diseases can cause hearing loss. Viruses that may affect your hearing include measles, mumps, whooping cough and rubella. Bacterial infections like meningitis and syphilis may also cause hearing loss. The best way to protect your hearing and that of your loved ones is to follow these pieces of advice: get all recommended vaccinations for you and your children, use protection to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases and always seek medical attention should you feel sick.

Protecting Your Hearing from Injury

Head trauma can affect the temporal bones in the skull’s lower lateral walls, which may damage your auditory system. While trauma isn’t always preventable, you can still lower your risk through taking simple precautions such as wearing seat belts, helmets and proper protective gear; avoiding unnecessary risks, such as standing on the top rung of a ladder; never inserting foreign objects in your ears; using waterproof swim plugs when engaging in water activities; and seeking medical attention if you are suffering from an ear infection.

Protecting Your Hearing from Ototoxic Medications

Many people aren’t aware of the risk certain medications pose to their auditory system. In reality, though, more than 200 over-the-counter and prescription drugs are known to cause damage to the sensory cells necessary for hearing. These include certain antibiotics, chemotherapy drugs, salicylate pain relievers and diuretics. Talk to your doctor and an Akron audiologist if you’re concerned about a medication causing changes to your hearing.

A good, deep breath starts with a clear nose and mouth. Whether you’re experiencing a stuffy nose or a persistent mouth sore, you can rely on dr Roux’s proven experience to bring you relief.

When Do I Need to See a Doctor?

When it comes to nose and chest congestion, it can be tough to know whether or not you need to see a doctor. One good way to gauge your need is the three-day rule: If you’ve been sick for three or more days and your symptoms are not improving, then it’s time for an appointment.

You should also see a doctor if you have:

A fever over 102°
Difficulty breathing
Chest pain
Vomiting
Pain when swallowing

These symptoms can indicate anything from strep throat to pneumonia and can worsen without appropriate medical attention.

Mouth related services Dr Roux can help you with:

Sinus Infections and Sinusitis
Sinusitis Treatments
Nosebleeds
Nose Injuries
Stuffy Nose
Lost Sense of Smell
Breathing Problems
Mouth Sores
Adenoid Disease

Your throat plays a vital role in many of your body’s functions: breathing, swallowing, and speaking, just to name a few.
If you begin to have trouble with any of these or other throat-related activities, please see your doctor.
There are a number of reasons such things occur, and seeing a trusted professional will ensure you receive the accurate diagnosis and effective treatment you need to live a more normal life.

The earlier I can detect a throat-related difficulty, the earlier I can provide a more effective method of treatment.

Mouth related services Dr Roux can help you with:

• Sore Throat
• Laryngitis
• Hoarseness
• Difficulty Swallowing
• Acid Reflux
• Tonsil Infection
• Vocal Cord Paralysis and Paresis

Adenoidectomy

Like the tonsils, the adenoids are masses of lymph tissue in the back of the throat that help the body fight invading bacteria and viruses. Also like the tonsils, the adenoids are prone to infection and enlargement. This can lead to sore throat, ear infections, stuffy nose, and breathing and swallowing problems.
If antibiotics or steroids fail to resolve the problem, the adenoids may be removed in a procedure called an adenoidectomy. It can be performed with local or general anesthesia.

Tonsillectomy

Tonsillectomy, or removal of the tonsils, is one of the most common throat operations. The tonsils are masses of lymph tissue in the back of the throat. They work with the adenoids and immune system early in life to defend the body against invading bacteria and viruses.

Sometimes the tonsils become infected, abscessed, or enlarged, leading to any of a variety of symptoms, including sore throat, fever, ear infections, and difficulty swallowing or breathing.

Surgery is recommended when more conservative treatments such as antibiotics or steroids fail to relieve symptoms, or when patients have frequent infections or difficulty breathing. There are a variety of methods used, including traditional surgery, microcautery, and radiofrequency ablation. Tonsillectomy may be performed with local or general anesthesia.

Tympanoplasty

Tympanoplasty is an elective, ambulatory, microsurgical procedure performed to close a perforation in the tympanic membrane (eardrum) when nonsurgical methods are ineffective. Perforations may be caused by infections, injuries, flying with a cold, and cotton swabs; symptoms include drainage or bloody discharge from the ear, hearing loss, dizziness when water enters the ear, and frequent ear infections. Antibiotics, decongestants, ear drops, and abrasion with a small hook are often tried before surgery is recommended.

Surgery may not be recommended for very young children or patients with chronic sinus or nasal problems, such as severe allergies, acute infection in the sinuses or nose, or poorly controlled diabetes or heart disease.

Tympanoplasty can require either local or general anesthesia and may be performed in conjunction with a mastoidectomy if infection is present there. An incision is made either in the ear canal or behind the ear, depending on the size and depth of the perforation. The damaged ear drum is lifted and the perforation located; skin from behind the ear or from the ear lobe (tragus) is removed, thinned, dried, and applied to the eardrum.The bones of the middle ear are examined for damage. In a supplemental procedure known as ossicular reconstruction, the damaged or eroded bones may be bridged with a bone or cartilage graft, reshaped using an operating microscope, or strengthened by the implantation of an artificial bone strut made of hydroxy apatite to reduce the risk of rejection. Another, rarer ossicular-reconstruction procedure called malleus fixation involves the reshaping of the malleus bone (“hammer”).

The incision is then closed. Stitches beneath the skin will be required if the ear was opened.

Patients often return home in about three hours after tympanoplasty or the next morning if ossicular reconstruction is performed, and they may return to work within the week. Swimming and showering without ear plugs may be resumed in three to four months. Antibiotics or Tylenol® usually relieve any post surgery pain. The graft is checked at 10 days and again at three weeks, and a hearing test is performed after four to six weeks. The perforation heals properly in over 90% of cases. Failure may result from immediate infection, water getting into the ear, or displacement of the graft after surgery.

Complications are uncommon but may include temporary dizziness, tinnitus, loss of taste on one side of the tongue, facial nerve injury, and further hearing loss.

Sinus Surgery

For patients who suffer from frequent sinus infections, sinus surgery widens the sinus openings and allows the removal of mucus or diseased tissue. The procedure can be performed endoscopically, that is, using a thin fiberoptic tube (an endoscope) inserted through the nostrils and real-time video imaging to guide the surgeon inside the nose and sinuses. This minimally invasive technique lets patients enjoy a shorter recovery time and less postoperative pain.

Swallowing Problems (Dysphagia)

There are many possible causes for a person to suffer difficulty or pain when swallowing food or liquid. The most common causes include:
Conditions that narrow the esophagus – sore, swollen, or infected throat; esophageal strictures caused by lodged pills or other objects; gastroesophageal reflux disease (heartburn); tumors or cancers.

Conditions that compress the esophagus from the outside – goiter (enlarged thyroid gland); tumors, cancers, or other abnormalities of the throat, larynx, spine, and neck.
Dry mouth – Sjogren syndrome, nerve or brain damage, medication side effects.
Muscle weakness – autoimmune or nerve disorders, nerve or brain damage such as ALS or stroke.

Patients with dysphagia will be asked about the exact sensations they feel when swallowing, how quickly the problem appeared and how long it has been occurring, whether they are taking any medications that could cause these side-effects, what other symptoms they are experiencing (if any), and whether there is a family history of such problems. If a physical exam is not enough to make a diagnosis, other tests may be ordered, such as x-rays of the upper GI tract or brain, endoscopy of the esophagus and stomach, or blood sampling. Treatment and recovery depend on the underlying condition.

Dr Roux also specializes in allergies and are member of the American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy as well as the American Contact Dermatitis society and have done many courses and training over the years.

To learn more about Dr Roux’s Allergy clinic, please go over to Glow Allergy tab.