HSummer Matters · EARS OTOSCOPE SOUNDS TINNITUS BUZZING DECIBEL FREQUENCY RINGING STLUKES VOLUME COCHLEA EARPROTECTION HEARING SILENCE TEST Hearing Word Search. Ask Dr. Decelles:

Tinnitus Q & AWhat is Tinnitus?Tinnitus is the perception of noise in the ears. Tinnitus isn’t actually a condition itself, but instead a symptom of another underlying condition.

Who suffers from Tinnitus?15-20% of people experience Tinnitus. It is most common as people age and with those who are exposed to loud noises.

What does Tinnitus sound like?Tinnitus varies from person to person. It can sound like: ringing, buzzing, roaring, clicking, hissing, humming, or even static.

What causes Tinnitus?In many people, Tinnitus is caused by age-related hearing loss, exposure to loud noise, earwax blockage, and changes to the bones in the

ears. Other, rarer causes include: TMJ disorders, head or neck injury, muscle spasms in the inner ear, blood vessel disorders and even some medications.

How does Tinnitus impact people?People who experience Tinnitus may experience very few complications while others struggle with fatigue, stress, sleep problems, trouble concentrating, depression or irritablity.

How is Tunnitus treated?There are a number of approaches to take to help alleviate Tinnitus. Some examples include earwax removal, noise suppression techniques, noise masking devices, and medications. You and your doctor will work together to determine the best course of action.

What can I do to reduce my chances of having Tinnitus? In order to reduce your chances of experiencing Tinnitus do not smoke, use hearing protection when exposed to loud noises, turn down the volume on your music and TV and take care of your cardiovascular health.

How is it pronounced?Either tin-NYE-tus or TINNA-tus is acceptable.

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4. Ask Dr. Decelles: Why not to use Q-Tips

2. Tinnitus Q & A (continued)

2. What does the inside of my ear look like?

3. Hearing word search

4. Recipe

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HEARINGSERVICES

It’s not just a great hearing aid.It’s a multifunctional MARVEL.

2Tinnitus Q & A (Continued)

I think I might have Tinnitus. What should I do?Schedule a consulation with an Audiologist. See any of front desk team members at St. Luke’s and they’ll be glad to assist you. You can even schedule it for the same day as your next eye appointment in most cases.

What does the inside of my ear look like?During an ear examination, the Audiologist or Doctor will use a device called an otoscope, which provides a nice view of the ear canal and the membrane. A video otoscope is an otoscope with a bright light and a tiny video camera on one end. This scope uses fiber optics to provide a moving image of the entire ear canal.

The audiologist uses either of these tools to inspect the ear for redness, swelling, earwax buildup, fluid or abnormalities. A healthy ear is shown below alongside an ear with a ruptured ear drum and an ear with

a infection.

St. Luke’s Hearing Services Newsletter • Call today! 800.282.9905 Better Hearing, Better Health, Better Living

Ruptured Ear DrumHealthy Ear Ear Infection

This is what the inside of your ear looks like!

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The doctors at St. Luke’s have had their hearing tested.

Have you?Jeffrey Wipfli, MD - Cataract Surgeon

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800.282.9905 | Tarpon Springs | Tampa | Spring Hill | St. PetersburgSt. Luke’s Hearing Services Newsletter • Call today! 800.282.9905 Better Hearing, Better Health, Better Living

AUDIOLOGISTDAMAGEEARSOTOSCOPESOUNDSTINNITUS

BUZZINGDECIBELFREQUENCYRINGINGSTLUKESVOLUME

COCHLEAEARPROTECTIONHEARINGSILENCETEST

Hearing Word Search

Ask Dr. Decelles: Why shouldn’t I use Q-Tips in my ears?People ask me all the time, “Dr. Decelles, why shouldn’t I use Q-Tips?” They even go on to say that, “It feels so good to clean my ears with a Q-tip after my shower.”

The old rule is that the only thing you should ever place in your ear (aside from prescribed hearing aids) is your elbow. The joke of course is that most people can’t get their elbow into their ear, so that settles that.

In all seriousness, the ear canal is a special environment made up of cells that produce ear wax, which is actually a protective fluid that keeps your ears safe from other irritants. Using a Q-tip can push the wax further into the ear where it may become stuck. You can also puncture your eardrum if a Q-tip is inserted too far into the canal. When using a Q-tip you also risk damaging the tiny hair cells that receive the vibrations in the sounds around you and send them to the brain via the hearing nerve. Finally, if you use Q-tips, you can strip away the ear wax that protects your ears from irritants that cause infections and other concerns.

I know, I know – but your ears are wet and you want to dry them. If at all possible, allow your ears to naturally dry. If the feeling is bothering you, set your hair dryer on air-only and blow the air into your ears until the water dissipates.

As for the outer ear, it’s perfectly fine to wash it with a washcloth … and don’t forget the area behind your ears!

Speaking of ears... Grilled Mexican Street Corn (Elote) YIELD: 4 servings

TOTAL TIME: 30 minutes INGREDIENTS:• Vegetable oil (for brushing) • 4 ears of corn, husked • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper • 1/4 cup store-bought or homemade (see Cooks’ Note below) chipotle mayonnaise• 1/4 cup grated queso fresco or Parmesan cheese

PREPARATION: Prepare a grill for medium-high heat or heat a grill pan over medium-high; oil grate or pan. Lightly brush corn with oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill, covered, until tender and well charred, 4–5 minutes per side (16–20 minutes total). Let cool slightly. Spread each ear with 1 Tbsp. mayonnaise and sprinkle with 1 Tbsp. cheese. Cooks’ Note: Combine 1/4 cup mayonnaise and 1 Tbsp. adobo sauce from a can of chipotle chiles in adobo for homemade chipotle mayonnaise.

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St. Luke’s Hearing Services Newsletter • Call today! 800.282.9905 Better Hearing, Better Health, Better Living

Kristen Decelles, Au D