The cost of hearing continues to rise

October 25, 2012 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: About ten years ago I bought two hearing aids for $900. Three years ago I paid $1,600 for two hearing aids. Now I need a more powerful aid and the price is $1,900.

Would you please explain to me and others why hearing aids are so expensive? It consists of the body and an amplifier. The batteries are bought separately at the drug store. Good grief, you can buy a small color television set with hundreds of parts for $100 so what am I missing?

DEAR READER: Before we get down to brass tacks (money), let me explain a little about hearing loss which, for many, appears to be part of the aging process unless heredity and/or exposure in a workplace environment or even from mowing a lawn without ear protection may be to blame at an earlier age. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Daily Column, Leading Letter Tagged With: ,

Ear drainage, hearing loss troubling

June 20, 2012 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I sent a message six days ago and I still have not heard back from you. My question is regarding my ears. I started experiencing hearing loss about two years ago. My ear doctor put tubes in both of my ear drums. My hearing got better but only for a week then both ears starting draining fluid almost constantly. My doctor tried me on antibiotics, steroids and even suggested that I see an allergy doctor as he has pretty much given up. I saw an allergy doctor and he gave me the nasal spray Nasocort and the allergy pill Singulair. Nothing has helped the drainage. The other medications I take are insulin, carbamazepine, iron, and vitamins. Please help me. I am a 36-year-old female with chronic allergies and diabetes. I also have a seizure disorder.

DEAR READER: Let me start by saying that you have not heard back from me, [Read more...]

Filed Under: Daily Column, Leading Letter Tagged With: ,

Meds can cause hearing loss

December 16, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: Is it possible that ten types of medication taken over a length of time, such as six months, can affect a person’s hearing?

DEAR READER: Yes, indeed it is. Some drugs, such as salicylates (aspirin) in large quantities, loop diuretics (Lasix or ethacrynic acid), aminoglycoside antibiotics (neomycin, streptomycin, gentamycin, or kanamycin), quinine to treat malaria, and chemotherapy regimens (cisplatin, nitrogen mustard and carboplatin) have been known to damage the ear and cause temporary hearing loss. These drugs are considered to be ototoxic (toxic to the ear), may cause permanent damage, [Read more...]

Filed Under: Daily Column, Leading Letter Tagged With:

Valley fever not associated with hearing loss

January 2, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: My dog, a friend’s dog and three people I know have been diagnosed with valley fever recently. We live in Arizona, a high-risk area for this disease, but it seems odd to have so many friends develop this at the same time. I assume there would be little difference in treatment between canine and human, so I am hoping you can help me with something I have not been able to get an answer for. Would hearing loss (temporary or permanent) be a side effect of either the disease itself or the medication fluconazole? Thanks for any insight you will be able or willing to share.

DEAR READER: Valley fever is caused by a fungus (coccidioides) that is commonly found in the soil of certain areas. When the fungus becomes disturbed — by construction, farming, etc. — it can become airborne. Individuals (or animals) who then breathe in the fungus can then develop valley fever, also known as acute coccidioidomycosis.
[Read more...]

Filed Under: Daily Column, Leading Letter Tagged With: ,

What’s the buzz all about?

July 7, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: Any advice on how to treat tinnitus?

DEAR READER: Yes, but first let me explain the condition. Tinnitus is a roaring, hissing, clicking, buzzing or ringing in the ears that is likely related to an underlying disorder such as ear injury, hearing loss or disorder of the circulatory system.

There are two forms of tinnitus — subjective and objective. The subjective form is common and can be heard only by the person whose ears are affected. This type is generally connected to the outer, middle or inner ear; however, the auditory nerve or portion of [Read more...]

Filed Under: Daily Column, Leading Letter Tagged With: , , ,

Daily Column

November 25, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
In response to the person that woke up deaf after a hysterectomy, I feel you are totally WRONG. This individual has obviously had ear problems before and knows what will correct the hearing loss. Why should any patient go through three office visits which cost about $100 a visit just to train a physician? Did the physician review her chart before forcing her to come back repeatedly for three visits? The physician whom we pay for medical advice should not be using his patients as testing grounds or beta testing at our expense. If he didn’t know what the problem was he should have said so and recommended an ENT physician immediately instead of milking patients or their insurance companies for unnecessary visits. I feel this physician should be reported and practice should be reviewed. I am so frustrated with incompetent doctors. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Daily Column Tagged With: