2023 is almost here, and it’s time to celebrate! Loud music, fireworks, and the screams of joy as midnight hits are all staples of ringing in the new year, but if you don’t protect your ears, they’ll be ringing too!

Loud noises we hear not just on New Year’s but throughout the year can actually cause hearing loss. These noises can damage your inner ear's sensory and hair cells, causing noise-induced hearing loss. Decide now to protect your ears and prevent hearing loss in the new year with these seven New Year’s resolutions! 

1. Walk Away From Loud Noises!

It may be hard to avoid all loud noises, but you can prevent hearing loss by moving as far away from the noise as possible. The farther away you are, the less damage the loud noises will do to your ears. So you can still enjoy the New Year’s fireworks display, but do it from a distance.

2. Wear Ear Protection!

If you’re attending an air show, working around heavy machinery, mowing the lawn, or doing something else that you know will involve loud noises, put on some ear protection. You can prevent noise-induced hearing loss simply by wearing some headphones or earplugs.

3. Choose Noise-Canceling Headphones!

You can also protect your ears by wearing noise-canceling headphones. You can even use them when you’re not listening to music. Slip the headphones on, turn on the noise-canceling feature, and enjoy a quieter evening.

Noise-canceling headphones also allow you to block out background noises. With regular headphones, you might turn the volume all the way up so you can hear over what’s going on around you, but with noise-canceling headphones, you don’t have to!

4. Turn Down the Volume!

Sometimes we don’t realize how loud the volume on our TV, radio, or phone really is. Over time, the blaring music or voices do more harm than good. You can prevent hearing loss and train your ears by turning down the volume!

5. Keep Up on Physical Exercise!

Our hearing health is actually connected to our heart health. People with diabetes or cardiovascular disease have a higher chance of hearing loss. But you can prevent hearing loss and other complications by keeping up with your exercise routine and maintaining a healthy weight!

6. Stop Smoking!

Smoking is bad for many reasons, but it can also cause hearing loss. Your ears and throat are close together, and the smoke can cause blockages in your ears. Quitting smoking is hard, but you can talk to your doctor to learn more about getting the help you need to stop smoking.

7. Get a Hearing Test at the Glatz Group!

Even if you haven’t noticed any hearing loss, you could still benefit from a hearing test and checkup from your ear, nose, and throat doctor! Noise-induced hearing loss usually is gradual and painless, so you might have already lost some hearing and not even know it.

Hearing tests only take a few minutes of your time. Check off an easy and quick New Year’s resolution by scheduling a hearing test with the Glatz Group! Our team of hearing experts will find out if you’ve lost any hearing, show you how you can prevent further hearing loss, and provide hearing solutions if you need them! 

Keep your hearing protected this new year! Schedule a hearing test today with your Edinburg ENT at the Glatz Group!

Start Your Hearing Test!

Between the cooler winter air and the common cold and flu, most people expect some sinus issues this time of year. While medication and rest may work for some people, if you’re suffering from chronic sinus infections or swelling, you may need a different approach for sinus relief.

Balloon sinuplasty is a minimally invasive procedure during which a small balloon is inserted into your nasal passage to open the airway. During the procedure, your ear, nose, and throat doctor will also be able to flush out any bacteria or mucus with a quick saline rinse. 

Keep reading to find out if the balloon sinuplasty is right for you and how your Edinburg ENT can help you breathe better!

What Does a Balloon Sinuplasty Treat?

Sinus problems don’t just affect the nose; sometimes, they can cause facial pain, pressure, headaches, congestion, and discharge. A balloon sinuplasty could be the answer to clearing up these annoying sinus issues. 

ENTs generally recommend a balloon sinuplasty treatment after people with chronic sinus infections have tried medication and gotten no relief. Doctors also use it to treat sinusitis, a swelling or inflammation of the sinuses.

Who Should Get a Balloon Sinuplasty?

Not everyone will be a good candidate for a balloon sinuplasty. If you have an ethmoid disease, nasal polyps, nasal tumors, or anatomical issues like a deviated septum, balloon sinuplasty isn’t right for you. 

However, if you’re an adult who has suffered for more than 12 weeks with sinusitis, or it keeps coming back, you may be a good candidate for a balloon sinuplasty, depending on your symptoms.

Keep in mind that doctors will try medication to resolve the issues first before attempting a balloon sinuplasty.  

What Should I Expect After a Balloon Sinuplasty Procedure?

Your care team will place you under general or local anesthesia for the procedure. Most patients are able to resume normal activities within a couple of days. You may not be able to blow your nose for 24 hours and have to avoid strenuous activity for one week after the procedure. 

Since a balloon sinuplasty is less invasive than an open sinus surgery, you shouldn’t have any bruising or scars on your face. You may experience discolored nasal drainage or small amounts of blood in your nasal drainage, congestion, and discomfort for a few days during recovery

Why Choose to Have a Balloon Sinuplasty at the Glatz Group?

A balloon sinuplasty is not only effective in relieving symptoms, but it also requires minimal downtime! Without the need to cut or remove tissues, the risk of infections, complications, bruising, or swelling is much lower than with an open sinus procedure.

At the Glatz Group, Dr. Glatz and his trusted team are here to make sure you stay comfortable throughout the procedure and recovery process. While a balloon sinuplasty isn’t the right fit for everyone, it may be for you! Reach out to our Edinburg office to find out if balloon sinuplasty is the answer you need to breathe better!

Find out if you could benefit from a balloon sinuplasty by reaching out to Dr. Glatz and his team for an evaluation today!    

Breathe Better, Live Well!

As we age, hearing loss is very common. It’s primarily seen in people 65 or older, but if you have a job that exposes you to repetitive loud noises for a long time, you may experience hearing loss even earlier. 

Hearing loss doesn’t happen overnight; it’s a gradual change you may not notice for a long time. Sometimes your loved ones may notice it when you have to ask them to repeat themselves. Your friends and family may also notice that the TV is really loud, but to you, it’s not. 

Keep reading to learn more about the early signs and stages of hearing loss, and when it’s time to see the doctor for hearing loss treatment!  

The Early Signs of Hearing Loss

Early signs of hearing loss may be more related to the volume and clarity of what you can hear. Speech and other sounds may be muffled, or you may struggle to hear certain words. You may also notice that you often have to ask everyone to speak a little slower, clearer, and louder.

But remember that your early hearing loss symptoms could differ from those you know. You may lose the ability to hear higher-pitched tones, such as women's and children's voices, or really low tones, like the clicks from a car turn signal.

The 5 Stages of Hearing Loss

There are five stages of hearing loss. Depending on your symptoms and hearing test, you may need treatment for your hearing loss. You may also experience hearing loss in only one ear or both ears.

Stage 1: Mild Hearing Loss

The first stage is when you’re having difficulty hearing quiet sounds like a dripping faucet. Or it could be hard to hear a conversation if there’s a lot of background noise. 

Stage 2: Moderate Hearing Loss

In the next stage, you may notice it’s much harder to hear conversations, especially on the phone. Stage 2 is when you may benefit from using hearing aids. 

Stage 3: Moderately Severe Hearing Loss

When it’s hard to hear loud noises, even when they happen right next to you, you’ve reached the third stage of hearing loss. It’ll also be harder to have a conversation without hearing aids.

Stage 4: Severe Hearing Loss

If you have stage four hearing loss, you’ll need a stronger level of hearing aids, and you won’t be able to listen to conversations at all without them. 

Stage 5: Profound Hearing Loss

At this point, you’ll need powerful hearing aids or possibly an implant. And without an implant or hearing aids, you’ll have to depend on sign language, lip reading, or hand motions to communicate.

What Are My Treatment Options?

Treating hearing loss depends on what’s causing it and how severe it is. If your hearing loss is from built-up wax, you’ll simply need to have your ears cleaned. But if that’s not the issue, then your hearing solution may be to wear a hearing aid. 

Surgery is another option if you have an abnormality in your eardrum or bones. You may also need tubes placed if your hearing loss is due to repeated ear infections. 

A cochlear implant is another way to treat hearing loss. Doctors use cochlear implants for severe cases of hearing loss and after you’ve unsuccessfully tried hearing aids. 

Is it Time to Visit an Ear, Nose, and Throat Specialist? Schedule an Appointment With the Glatz Group!

Sometimes we’re not entirely sure when it’s time to make an appointment to see a doctor. And especially since hearing loss can be so gradual we don’t even notice it immediately. It’s time to make an appointment if you notice a sudden hearing loss or if your hearing loss is starting to affect your daily activities. 

If you’re noticing that it’s time to talk to an ear, nose, and throat doctor about your hearing loss, reach out to the Glatz Group! With our experience in hearing treatments, we can help you figure out what stage of hearing loss you have and what hearing solutions may be best for you. Don’t let muffled sounds hinder your day-to-day — contact Dr. Glatz to improve your hearing today!  

Are you tired of missing out on what’s going on around you? Come in and chat with Dr. Glatz and his team to try some hearing treatment options!

Hear Better Today!

If your loved ones' sneezes are enough to blow over the Christmas tree, they are probably looking for some relief! The cold and dry winter air can cause allergy flare-ups, and you don’t want anyone miserable during the holiday season. Give your friends and family a gift they can actually use for sinus relief this Christmas!   

On the other hand, maybe your loved one’s allergies are under control, but you don’t want to give them a gift that could further irritate their ear, nose, or throat. Keep reading to find the ultimate list of gift ideas for anyone with allergies on your Christmas list!  

10 Holiday Gift Ideas to Prevent Allergies or Provide Relief!

Your loved ones will love the extra thought and care you’ve put into giving them a gift they can use for allergy relief! 

  1. Hypo-allergenic mattress cover, pillow case, and bedding
  2. Vacuum with a HEPA filter
  3. Air purifier with a HEPA filter
  4. Allergy-friendly cleaners without chemicals
  5. Humidifier or dehumidifier
  6. Anti-dust masks
  7. Sinus relief heat mask
  8. House cleaning service
  9. Steam inhaler
  10. Allergy medicine case

You could also build a sinus relief holiday gift basket! Include tissues, nasal spray, decongestant tablets, allergy relief teas, and a gift card to their favorite pharmacy. Or, if they already have all the vacuums, air purifiers, and humidifiers they need, consider gifting your loved ones extra filters, as they can get a little expensive.

3 Gifts You Should Avoid Giving Loved Ones With Allergies! 

The one thing you don’t want to do this holiday season is to give your loved ones a thoughtful gift and then watch them suffer with a fit of sneezes. Protect your friends and family this Christmas by avoiding these gifts.

If your friends and family have a specific brand they know is safe, buy from them! Always ask before you buy a questionable product to avoid making your loved ones sick.

Allergies Getting in the Way of Holiday Plans? The Glatz Group Can Help! 

Allergies can really bring down the holiday spirit! Spending time sniffling, laying in bed, or sitting in front of the humidifier trying to find allergy relief isn’t the best way to spend the Christmas season. 

Bring your loved ones with allergies to the Glatz Group to help them find relief this yea. With our experienced team, your friends and family can find the best solution to fighting allergies and get back to enjoying the things that matter most! 

Stop allergies from messing up your plans this holiday season! Visit Glatz Group to find out how we can help your loved ones find relief today! 

Say No to Allergies!

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