When a television comedian trips over furniture or stumbles across the room, it usually results in a good chuckle. But for many Americans, dizziness and balance problems are not a laughing matter.  In fact, these are common signs of vertigo. 

Read the rest of entry »

It’s great to visit relatives at large holiday gatherings, but do you find you often have to repeat yourself? Perhaps your grandmother can’t understand certain phrases or your aunt can’t understand you from another room. It’s not unusual to have several relatives who have difficulty hearing. When you’re trying to explain something to them, it can be exasperating  to repeat it three or four times.

Read the rest of entry »

Before you shovel snow from your driveway or to take the dog for a walk around the block, you put on a warm winter coat, gloves and maybe a hat. Or perhaps you work outside and are always sure to wear warm boots to ensure your feet are warm and dry.
But what about your ears?

When bundling up for chilly winter weather, don’t forget that your ears also need protection. Failure to do so can lead to conditions associated with hearing loss and ear damage.  Some of these conditions include...

Read the rest of entry »

A Friday night dinner with friends is a time for good food and great conversation--but if you have difficulty understanding what they’re saying, an engaging evening out becomes a frustrating challenge. If you consistently have trouble hearing when in groups or noisy environments, it may be time for a hearing test. Hearing loss is incredibly common. Following are three ways to know if you need a test.

Read the rest of entry »

Almost every parent knows the stress and anxiety that occurs when your child has an ear infection. It seems like these chronic infections are almost a rite of passage during childhood. While there are several treatments for children who have chronic ear infections, including ear tubes, you may be wondering: Why do children get so many ear infections in the first place?

Read the rest of entry »

When you say you’ve been “sawing logs,” it makes snoring sound almost quaint. In reality, there’s nothing remotely charming about snoring---particularly for spouses who have to share a bed with a chronic snorer. If you’re the guilty party, you’re probably embarrassed to be the cause of your partner’s bedtime tossing and turning. But there’s much more to snoring than losing some hours of “zzzzz’s.”

Read the rest of entry »

No parents want to see their children miss out on the fun activities of spring and summer because of sniffling, sneezing and a sore throat.  If these happen at the same time every year, your child may have seasonal allergies. If they battle these symptoms year round, they may have chronic allergies. The good news is that physicians at Raleigh Capitol Ear Nose and Throat have expertise in helping children overcome their seasonal or chronic allergies. Each treatment is carefully tailored to fit your child’s needs. Following are four effective treatments for children's allergies. 

Read the rest of entry »

Did you know that otitis media, also known as a middle ear infection, is the most common pediatric illness treated by ENTs? In fact, 3 out of 4 children will have an ear infection by the time they are 3 years old. While many children recover with no complications, otitis media can cause permanent hearing loss if it is left untreated. Learn about the procedure that can help.

Read the rest of entry »

To say hearing aids have come a long way is an understatement. Digital technology has revolutionized their design, making them both smaller and easier to adjust. Some are even rechargeable, meaning there's no need to stock up on small batteries. See the four best hearing aid advancements.

Read the rest of entry »

It’s often difficult for children to understand what tonsils are and why they may have to be removed. If your child is facing a tonsillectomy, you want to be sure he or she understands what is happening. Learning about the process will take a lot of the mystery—and fright---out of the procedure. Following are some guidelines for explaining a tonsillectomy to your child. 

Read the rest of entry »