Tinnitus Evaluations
Tinnitus is often described as a ringing in the ears, but can also sound like hissing, buzzing, roaring, sizzling, clicking or other noise. Tinnitus can manifest as an acute symptom lasting just a few days or a chronic or recurring symptom lasting weeks, months or years. Tinnitus is a symptom of a wide range of…
Hearing Aid Repair & Service
Hearing aids are built to provide many years of useful service. However, regular exposure to a harsh environment means they will occasionally encounter problems. No matter how fastidious you are when it comes to hygiene, the ear canals inevitably attract dirt, moisture and earwax buildup – all of which can wreak havoc with the electronic…
Hearing Aid Financing
Today’s amazingly advanced hearing aids may be small, but each instrument packs an incredible amount of technology into its tiny casing. More and more insurance companies are offering coverage for hearing loss treatment; however, many patients are still responsible for financing part or all of their hearing aid purchase. At Blue Ridge Hearing Aids and…
Hearing Aid Fitting
When your audiologist recommends hearing aids, selection is only the beginning of the process. Equally important is the fitting, which involves programming your hearing aids and making adjustments to provide the correct levels of amplification for your particular hearing loss. Counseling is a necessary step to ensure you have realistic expectations, and is crucial for…
Hearing Loss Testing
Informed Decision-Making Starts With A Hearing Test Determining whether or not hearing aids can help you hear a fuller world starts with a hearing test. Knowing the results of those tests gives you the power to make the decision that’s right for you. Why Have Your Hearing Tested? Untreated hearing loss can damage your physical…
Otosclerosis
Otosclerosis is an abnormal growth of bone in the middle ear that causes hearing loss. It typically begins in the early 20s, and is the leading cause of middle ear hearing loss in young adults. What Causes Otosclerosis? The exact cause of otosclerosis is not known, but evidence suggests a genetic link passed down from…
Eardrum Perforation
What Does an Eardrum Do? The eardrum has two main roles: Hearing. Your eardrum vibrates from sound waves striking it. In turn, structures in your middle and inner ear translate sound waves into nerve impulses. Protection. Your eardrum acts as a barrier to protect your middle ear from water, bacteria, and foreign substances. What is…
Ear Tubes
If you’re a parent, it probably comes as no surprise that middle ear infections are common in children, particularly those between the ages of six months and two years. Known as otitis media, these are caused by a number of factors, both physical and environmental. Most ear infections clear up on their own, or are treated with antibiotics. But in some children,…
Cholesteatoma
What is a Cholesteatoma? A cholesteatoma is a mass of skin cells in the middle ear. As the mass gradually increases in size, it destroys the middle ear’s bones, causing hearing loss and infection. What Causes Cholesteatoma? When the eustachian tube is functioning normally, it equalizes ear pressure by moving air from the back of…
Earwax Removal
Causes of Earwax Blockage A blockage of earwax is usually caused by an overproduction of earwax or insufficient cleaning. Surprisingly, the most common cause of a blockage is incorrect at-home earwax removal. Often, instead of cleaning out the earwax it is just pushed deeper inside the ear. Earphone and ear plug usage can also cause wax buildup, as the…