March 2020

ear anatomy

10 Facts You May Not Know About Your Ears

10 Facts About Your Ears The human ear is amazing! The more I learn about it, the more I’m blown away at how such a small organ can do so much and be so intricate. Here are 10 cool facts that you may not know about your ears and hearing. The smallest bones in the body are in the ear! They are the ossicles in the middle ear; the incus, the malleus, and the stapes (also called the anvil, hammer, and stirrup because that’s kind of what they look like). The inner ear is the circumference of a pencil eraser! Your sense of hearing depends on tiny hairs deep inside your ear. If you lose these hairs, you lose your hearing. The slightest movement of these hairs is how we hear a variety of sounds and frequencies.  You do not need to clean wax out of your ears unless you have an abnormal condition. Ears are self-cleaning, they push the wax out on their own. On occasion, they may need a bit of help from a professional.  Most individuals experiencing hearing loss are under the age of 65… that’s right UNDER 65, hearing is not just about ‘aging’  The number one cause of hearing loss is exposure to excessively loud sounds (85 decibels or higher). Those orange foam earplugs are a great way to protect your hearing in noisy environments. Your hearing can be damaged permanently even after a single exposure to extremely loud noise (shotgun blast, explosion, etc.). Your ears...

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Tinnitus Group – Nutrition for Tinnitus

Special thank you to Jane, RHN for joining us this month to discuss Nutrition for Tinnitus. It is the hope that through this group, anyone with Tinnitus can join in to find support from others who have Tinnitus, learn about new therapies to try, test out some of them, and ultimately find hope in knowing they are not alone. Let’s dive into this month’s topic!  This Month’s Group This month we had 2 individuals with Tinnitus (one who has had it for years and another who is new) and 2 spouses join us, as well as Jane, our guest speaker. Jane is a Registered Holistic Nutritionist who has been practicing for 15 years in Toronto and Peterborough. As a nutritionist, she looks at everyone as an individual with unique circumstances and needs. She also specializes in hyperactive disorders and the Blood Type Diet.  Foods that can Aggravate Tinnitus If you've had Tinnitus for a while, I'm sure you've been told to say away from things like nicotine, caffeine, alcohol, sugar, and salt but did you know there are others? Sulfites - these are preservatives found in most dried fruit, wine, frozen foods, balsamic vinegar, MSG, etc. Phenols - a class of chemical compounds found naturally in a lot of foods including licorice, raisins, honey, raspberries, apricots, oranges, almonds, cashews, olives, peas, beans, and tomatoes. It's not that these things are bad for you, but phenols do affect how you sleep. Jane noted that if you have these at dinner time (I.e. spaghetti with tomato sauce) expect to have a...

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sudden hearing loss

3 Steps in the case of Sudden Hearing Loss

Sudden hearing loss can be a scary thing. You go to bed, all is fine, but the next morning you wake up and can't hear out of one side. So, what do you do first? Call your doctor, wait, panic...? If this happens to you, follow these 3 steps #1 GO TO THE ER. Don't wait! We can't stress this enough. Depending on what has caused the sudden hearing loss (viral infections, blood clots, etc.), there is medication that can reverse it, but only if taken within a small window of time. *The ears and their surrounding structures are very delicate, so even small changes in the body can have a large effect. When it comes to your hearing, don't hesitate to seek medical attention. #2 After going to the hospital, book an appointment to see your family health practitioner as a follow-up. They may recommend you see an ENT (ear, nose, and throat specialist) if there are any residual effects. #3 Have your hearing tested. It's helpful to know if your hearing levels have changed, whether it be temporary or permanent. [This is why having a baseline test can be very helpful.] If it has changed, the practitioner can make a recommendation to keep you hearing and understanding conversation with ease; such as communication strategies or hearing aids.   What Causes Sudden Hearing Loss Well, it can be a few things... It simply could be wax that has finally blocked your ear. In this case, it's very easy to take...

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Support Group

Tinnitus Awareness – Tinnitus Support Group

Tinnitus Awareness - February 2020 It is the hope that through this group, anyone with Tinnitus can join in to find support from others who have Tinnitus, learn about new therapies to try, test out some of them, and ultimately find hope in knowing they are not alone. Let’s dive into this month’s topic! This month happens to include Tinnitus Awareness Week! Put on by the British Tinnitus Association each year, this week is to promote awareness to the general public and further research into treatments and ultimately a cure.  This Month’s Group This month, we asked our three group members about their story, Tinnitus advocacy, awareness, and prevention, and advice they would for someone newly diagnosed.  A very big thank you to each of you! Lucia Greig, John Lethange, Jim Leigh, and their spouses.  Your Tinnitus Story How would you describe your Tinnitus and your journey? Lucia - I contracted Tinnitus as a result of Meniere's Disease.  In the initial 15 years, I learned to accept and live with the high pitched noises.  After going bilateral in 2015, I was faced with a multitude of base like noises. As another adjustment period passed, that too became part of my daily life.  John - Well, I’ve had it since I was 20. You get used to it after a while. I have my good and bad days or periods. Right now the Meniere's is not as bad.  Jim - [Tinnitus for several years without hearing loss] Try everything, you won't know what...

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