Call 239-263-8855Frequently Asked Questions
Sinus
Q: I just finished with a severe cold and now I feel stuffed up and my nose still feels irritated. What could this be?
A: This may be a sign of sinusitis. Acute sinus infections produce nasal obstruction and offensive nasal or postnasal discharge. This nasal obstruction may be a sign of nasal polyps. A polyp removal can be performed during endoscopic surgery. Acute sinus infection generally responds to antibiotic treatment; chronic sinusitis usually requires surgery.
Q: What does sinus surgery accomplish?
A: Sinus surgery enlarges the natural opening to the sinuses and removes areas of obstruction, resulting in the normal flow of mucus.
Ear Infections
Q: My child has had frequent ear infections. Should his hearing be evaluated?
A: Repeated ear infections can lead to permanent hearing loss. If your child has had more than four infections in a year, hearing loss for six weeks or longer, or middle ear fluid for over three months, a hearing test is usually recommended.
Ear Pain and Trouble Hearing
Q: Lately, I've experienced acute ear pain and trouble hearing. What could this be?
A: This could be an acute or chronic middle ear infection. Bacteria (or viruses) can enter the nose or throat and follow through the eustachian tube to reach to middle ear. Two tests that the otolaryngologist may order are an audiogram and a tympanogram. The doctor may prescribe an antibiotic and an antihistamine or decongestant or a combination. In chronic situations or if the ear infection does not clear up with medication, further treatment may be recommended by your physician.
Ear Tubes
Q: What are ear tubes?
A: If otitis media does not clear up with medication and home treatment, a myringotomy may be recommended. This involves a small surgical incision into the eardrum to promote drainage of fluid and to relieve pain. The incision heals within a few days with practically no scarring or injury to the eardrum. In fact, the surgical opening can heal so fast that it often closes before the infection and the fluid are gone. This is the reason a ventilation tube can be placed in the incision, preventing fluid accumulation and thus improving hearing.
Tonsils and Adenoids
Q: When do tonsils and adenoids have to be removed?
A: Two main problems that can occur with this tissue are swelling, which can make breathing and eating difficult, and repeated infections. If the tonsils swell permanently, they may cause sleep apnea. Often, surgery is advisable.
Chronic infections in the adenoids can also be the cause of ear infections. In this case, removing the adenoids can be helpful. Allergies to antibiotics may influence the exact number of infections required prior to surgery.
Head and Neck Cancer
Q: What are common symptoms of head and neck cancers?
A: Symptoms of head and neck cancer might be a lump or sore that does not heal, a sore throat that does not go away, difficulty swallowing, and a change or hoarseness in the voice. Other symptoms may be sinuses that are blocked and do not heal, trouble with eyes, pain in upper teeth, ears, throat or neck that does not go away, frequent headaches, swelling under the chin or around the jawbone, and numbness or paralysis of the face muscles. These symptoms may be caused by cancer or by other, less serious conditions. It is important to check with a doctor or dentist about any of these symptoms.
Sleep Apnea
Q: What is obstructive sleep apnea?
A: Loud snoring, interrupted by frequent episodes of totally obstructed breathing, is obstructive sleep apnea. Serious episodes last more than ten seconds each and occur more than seven times per hour. Apnea patients may experience 30 to 300 such events per night. These episodes can reduce blood oxygen levels, causing the heart to pump harder.
The immediate effect of sleep apnea is that the snorer must sleep lightly and keep his muscles tense in order to keep airflow to the lungs. Because the snorer does not get a good rest, he may be sleepy during the day, which impairs job performance and makes him a hazardous driver or equipment operator. After many years with this disorder, elevated blood pressure and heart enlargement may occur.
Audiology
Q: Who should see an Audiologist?
A: Anyone with suspected hearing loss, dizziness, or balance problems should be evaluated by an audiologist. Children should be seen right away if parents suspect any hearing problem. Immediate attention is crucial to ensure both hearing health and proper speech and language development. Children can be evaluated at any age including newborns. Parents many want to have their children's hearing initially tested during the preschool years and then rechecked periodically during their school years. Click here to learn more about audiology and what an audiologist does.
Q: How do I know that I am being seen by a qualified Audiologist?
A: Nearly all states require Audiologists to be licensed. Most require a minimum of a Master's Degree in Audiology and a passing score on a national test as well as supervised clinical experience and postgraduate professional clinical experience. Our audiologist has surpassed this minimum requirement by earning a doctorate in audiology and is very well qualified to provide you with a variety of hearing care services. Click here to find out more about Darlen Ballew's background.
Hearing Loss
Q: I am experiencing a decrease in my hearing. Can Dr. Kane service my audiology and hearing aid needs?
A. Yes, we have a qualified professional audiologist on staff, and with supervision by Dr Kane , our physician-audiologist team diagnoses, manages and treats hearing or balance problems for individuals from birth through adulthood. The audiologist provides a full range of diagnostic services.
Q: Is there more than one type of hearing loss?
A: There are two basic types of hearing loss. The first kind is called conductive hearing loss and is caused by problems in the ear canal, the eardrum and/or the three small bones connected to the eardrum. This could be due to an infection, wax in the ear canal, or fluid behind the eardrum. Conductive hearing loss can sometimes be improved with medicine or surgery.
The second kind of hearing loss, is called sensorineural (sen-sor-ee-nur-al) hearing loss and occurs when something goes wrong with the inner ear (cochlea) or auditory nerve. This can occur with the aging process and with exposure to loud noises. Sounds become muffled, unclear, and soft. Although medicine and surgery cannot help most sensorineural hearing loss, hearing aids can be helpful.
Q: Is there something I can do to prevent hearing loss?
A: One important prevention measure is to use custom fitted ear plugs if you swim, ride on a motorcycle, or are exposed to loud music. Learn more about our custom earmolds, stock and custom musician plugs, and custom motorcycle and swim plugs. Because conductive hearing loss can be caused by infection, fluid accumulation behind the eardrum, and build up of ear wax in the canal, these conditions should be ruled out and treated if present.
Q: My child seems to have difficulty hearing in school. What can be done to help him?
A: Audiologists have a full range of hearing and rehabilitative hearing services for students in all grades in both public and private schools. Start with an evaluation. The Audiologist will make recommendations depending on the results.
Hearing Aids
Q: Is there a difference between one hearing aid and another?
A: There are many types of hearing instruments to choose from. Early analog instruments with many undesirable effects are now being replaced with digital technology. These instruments sort sounds into bands or frequency ranges that can be grouped to provide precision amplification in select ranges. This means that sounds of nature, music, and speech are perceived and amplified differently. The end result is greater precision in hearing correction so that speech sounds are enhanced while background noises are reduced. Your hearing health professional will help you select the best one for you. Click here to learn more about hearing aid types.
Q: What brands of hearing aids do you carry?
A: We offer the following hearing aid brands for sale: Sonic Innovations, GN ReSound, Phonak, Starkey, Oticon, Rexton, Siemens, Unitron. The style and manufacturer of your hearing aid(s) depends on your hearing loss and your specific needs. There are a wide variety of hearing aid options available. Let our audiologist help you select hearing aids that will best meet your needs.
Q: My hearing aid is 10 years old. Would my hearing be improved with a newer hearing aid?
A: Your hearing aid was most likely an analog type with many disadvantages. Today's digital technologies are programmed by a computer to match your type of hearing loss and unique requirements. Depending upon the type you select, there can be a significant improvement in the sound quality.
Q: My hearing aid needs to be repaired but I did not purchase it from you. Can you help me?
A: We offer repair for almost all brands of hearing aids regardless of whether you purchased it from our company. Call our office and ask about hearing aid repair services.
Q: Where can I find hearing aid batteries?
A: We offer a full selection of batteries specifically made for your hearing aid. We can ship these to your location anywhere in the continental United States. Call our office to place your order.
Insurance
Q: Are general ENT services covered by insurance?
A: Many of the services we provide are covered by insurance. Any charges not covered by the insurance company are the patient's repsonsibility. If you have additional questions regaring insurance, please call our office.
Q: Are hearing aids covered by insurance?
A: When a physician orders a hearing evaluation, Medicare and most Insurance companies cover appropriate diagnostic audiology services. Medicare does not cover hearing aids or related supplies.