Hearing loss develops gradually. By learning the early signs and symptoms, you can seek help earlier and keep the hearing loss from progressing.

Here are some of the things you should watch out for:

• Trouble understanding the TV dialogue
  Compared to other sounds, speech can be more challenging to hear if you have hearing loss. It can manifest as trouble following a TV or movie dialogue.
• Difficulty hearing normal household sounds
  These include doorbells, telephone ringing, or a friend/companion shouting your name from another room.
• Ringing or buzzing in the ears
  The ringing or buzzing shouldn’t be ignored as it can be a sign of permanent hearing injury.
• Trouble hearing on the telephone
  If you have to constantly adjust your phone’s volume setting to hear the person on the other line, then you may be suffering from a hearing loss.
• Depending on non-verbal cues to understand what the other person is saying
  If you find yourself constantly relying on lip movement, gestures, or other cues just to understand what the other person is saying, then you may have a hearing loss.
• Difficulty hearing in noisy environments
  People with hearing loss often have problems masking the background noise and focusing on speech. If it’s hard for you to hear what other people are saying in a noisy environment, then maybe it’s time to have a hearing evaluation.
  
  What causes hearing loss?
  

There are several possible causes of hearing loss. These include the buildup of earwax, aging, ear infection, abnormal bone growths or tumors in the outer or middle ear, and ruptured eardrum.

If you suspect that you are suffering from hearing loss, don’t hesitate to see a specialist. Like other conditions, hearing loss is easier to manage on its early stages.

Greater Knoxville ENT has a team of specialists who can evaluate your condition and suggest appropriate interventions. You can request an appointment online or call us at (865) 521-8050.

References:

https://www.starkey.com/blog/2015/04/warning-signs-of-hearing-loss

https://www.audiologicsolutions.net/hearing-loss

https://www.healthyhearing.com/report/43310-Ten-signs-of-hearing

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hearing-loss/symptoms-causes/syc-20373072

Spring is finally here! While it’s beautiful, it’s also the peak season for allergies. The main culprit? Pollen.

The trees and even the weeds release these tiny grains into the air to fertilize other plants. However, when they get into the nose of someone who’s allergic to them, they can trigger the body’s immune response.

When the immune system sees them as a danger, it releases antibodies to attack them. This leads to the release of histamines into the blood, causing the allergic reaction – runny nose, itchy eyes, sneezing, and coughing.

You don’t have to resort to locking yourself in your home to prevent this. Our specialists at Greater Knoxville ENT suggest these simple strategies that can help you keep the seasonal allergy under control:

• When it’s dry and windy, stay indoors. This will help reduce your exposure to allergy triggers. The best time to head outside is after it rains. A good period of rain helps clear the pollen from the air.
• Avoid hanging your laundry outside. Pollen can stick to your sheets or clothes.
• When working outside, wear a pollen mask.
• Listen or watch out for high pollen forecasts. If it’s forecasted to have a high pollen count, start taking your anti-histamine medications even before your symptoms appear.
• Pollen count is usually the highest in the morning, so avoid outdoor activities until later in the day.

• Take a shower as soon as you get home. This is a good way of ridding pollen and other allergens that you bring in with you from outside.
• Try herbal drops. Popping a natural herbal throat drop can help ease an irritating cough or scratchy throat.
• Rinse it out. You can use a rinse kit or a neti pot. A nasal rinse can help in cleaning the mucus from the nose and ease some of the allergy symptoms.
• Stay hydrated. If you feel stuffy, staying hydrated can help you feel better. The extra fluid can thin the mucus in the nasal passages.

If you don’t find any success from any of these strategies, Greater Knoxville ENT can help. We have ENT specialists who can help you find a solution.

Schedule an appointment with us online or call (865) 244-4396.

References:

https://www.webmd.com/allergies/spring-allergies#1

https://www.webmd.com/allergies/allergy-education-17/slideshow-natural-relief

They’re pink and oval-shaped. You may not pay attention to them most days of the week, but your tonsils are a vital part of your immune system. They are your first line of disease against viruses and bacteria that get through your nose and mouth.

Since they’re the first line of defense, tonsils are at risk of getting infected. The condition is called tonsillitis. It’s very common in children but adults can get them too.

What are the symptoms of tonsillitis?

A painful sore throat is one of the most common symptoms of tonsillitis. This is often accompanied by other symptoms, such as:

• fever
• swollen neck lymph nodes
• stuffy or runny nose
• bleeding spots on the tonsils
• difficulty or painful swelling

How is tonsillitis managed?

How tonsillitis is treated depends largely on what causes it. If it’s caused by a virus, then it would be treated the same way as having colds. If it’s caused by bacteria, then the doctor may recommend antibiotics to clear up the infection.

When to consider tonsillectomy?

If tonsillitis keeps on coming back and it’s causing other problems such as sleep apnea, tonsillectomy (removal of the tonsils) may be recommended.

The indications for tonsillectomy in adults are similar to children, although the condition is becoming less common in adults. As one grows older, the tonsils shrink and hence, infection becomes less common.

The following are the key recommendations by the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery for tonsillectomy in children:

• Tonsillectomy may be recommended for recurrent throat infection. This means having at least 7 episodes in the past year, at least 5 episodes per year for 2 years, or at least 3 episodes per year for 3 years. The medical record must reflect each episode of sore throat and 1 or more of the following: temperature > 100.94 degrees F, positive test for group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus, cervical adenopathy, or tonsillar exudate.
• Tonsillectomy may also be recommended for those with recurrent throat infection, who may not meet the above criteria, but have multiple antibiotic allergy/intolerance, history of >1 peritonsillar abscess, or PFAPA (periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis and adenitis).

If you think you or your child needs tonsillectomy, call us. The specialists here at Greater Knoxville ENT will assess your condition and recommend the most appropriate treatment plan for you.

References:

https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/when-to-get-my-tonsils-out#1

https://www.piedmont.org/living-better/when-should-your-tonsils-be-removed

https://www.aafp.org/patient-care/clinical-recommendations/all/tonsil.html

It can be challenging to live with chronic sinusitis. Sinusitis (inflammation of the sinuses) lasts for at least 12 weeks. Making breathing difficult due to nasal obstruction, affecting how things taste and smell. Sinusitis cause pain, tenderness, and swelling around the areas of the eyes, cheeks, nose, and forehead.

Chronic sinusitis can be treated with medications. However, not all patients respond well to them. As a last resort, an ENT specialist would recommend a sinus surgery.

In the traditional sinus surgery, the bone and tissues are removed to enlarged the sinus opening. This helps in clearing the blocked sinuses and consequently, restores the normal sinus drainage. However, this surgery is usually associated with pain and scarring.

What is Balloon Sinuplasty?

If you have chronic sinusitis but are hesitant to undergo the traditional sinus surgery, Balloon Sinuplasty may be right for you.

Unlike the traditional sinus surgery, Balloon Sinuplasty doesn’t involve any cutting or removal of bones and tissues. It uses a small, flexible balloon catheter to open up the blocked sinus passageways.

How does Balloon Sinuplasty work?

During a Balloon Sinuplasty procedure, a balloon catheter is inserted into the inflamed sinus. The balloon is then inflated to expand the sinus. Saline solution is sprayed in order to flush out pus and mucus. The system is then removed, leaving the sinuses open.

What can you expect during and after a Balloon Sinuplasty procedure?

Many cases of Balloon Sinuplasty use general anesthesia but there’s a growing number of ENT doctors who are using local anesthesia for in-office Balloon Sinuplasty.

As with recovery, you can resume to your normal activities 2 days after the procedure.

References:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-sinusitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20351661

http://www.balloonsinuplasty.com/what-is-balloon-sinuplasty/procedure-overview

http://www.balloonsinuplasty.com/what-is-balloon-sinuplasty/faqs#n67

https://www.americansinus.com/results-of-balloon-sinuplasty/

If you’ve been feeling like you’re spinning or that the world around you is spinning, then you may be experiencing vertigo.
 

What is vertigo? 

Vertigo is a symptom. It is a sensation that either you or the environment is spinning.  

Some people with vertigo barely noticed it while there are those with severe cases who find it hard to keep themselves in balance and do day-to-day tasks. 

What causes it? 

There are different causes of vertigo and these include: 

• Meniere’s Disease 

It’s an inner ear problem caused by fluid buildup and changing pressure inside the ear. Aside from vertigo, Meniere’s disease also causes ringing or buzzing in the ears. 

•  Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo 

BPPV is another inner problem that occurs when tiny calcium particles clump in the inner ear.  

•  Vestibular Neuritis 

This is an inner problem associated with viral infection. The infection causes inflammation of the nerves that play a role in sensing balance.  

 How does vertigo feel? 

Many people often described vertigo as feeling tilting, unbalanced, spinning, or swaying.  

In some cases, vertigo may come with other symptoms like nausea, headache, vomiting, and ringing in the ears. 

Can vertigo be treated? 

Although many cases of vertigo go away on their own as the brain is able to adapt, there are some that requires treatment. Some of the most common treatment options include:
 

• Vestibular rehabilitation 

It’s a form of physical therapy that aims to strengthen the vestibular system. This system has an important role to play in keeping our balance. It sends signals to our brain about our head and body movement relative to gravity.
 

• Canalith repositioning maneuvers 

These are movements designed to move the calcium deposits (canaliths) out of the ear canal and into the inner ear chamber, where they will be absorbed by the body.
 

• Surgery 

In some cases, surgery may be needed. These are vertigo cases caused by a tumor or brain/neck injury. 

If your vertigo is keeping you from having a normal life, consult a specialist.  

References: 

https://www.webmd.com/brain/vertigo-symptoms-causes-treatment#1 

https://www.rxlist.com/vertigo_overview/article.htm 

https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/ears-nose-and-throat/vertigo 

We often associate hearing loss with aging. While it’s true that hearing loss is more common among older people, it can happen to anyone, regardless of age. It can manifest in different ways, depending on the severity and type of hearing loss.

Regardless of the type and cause of hearing loss, the symptoms are almost the same. These include:

• difficulty in understanding speech especially in a noisy environment
• listening to television or radio at high volume
• difficulty hearing people on the phone
• ringing or buzzing in the ears (tinnitus)
• having trouble hearing children and women
• the perception that others are mumbling
• feeling stressed out from straining what other people are saying
• feeling nervous from meeting other people

Greater Knoxville ENT Can Help

If you think you are suffering from hearing loss, we can help.

We perform hearing tests to help determine the type and severity of hearing loss you have, which can also determine the most appropriate treatment for you.

We have on-site Ear, Nose, and Throat physicians and audiologists who are experts in evaluating and treating hearing loss. All of our patients have customized treatment plans. We also offer sampling of solutions available in our facility, which include custom earplugs, assistive listening devices (ALDs), hearing aids, and earmolds.

Let us help you hear better this year! Call us  to schedule an appointment.

Reference:

http://www.betterhearing.org/hearingpedia/signs-hearing-loss

Have you been considering cosmetic treatment or a facial peel? This may be the perfect time. Colder temperatures are optimal for treatments that can help improve your complexion, as well as for plastic surgery. During other times of the year, like spring and summer, people tend to spend more time outside and in the sun and protecting your skin from the sun post-treatment is necessary for proper healing.

In the fall and winter, your skin is more likely to protected from complications that can occur from receiving too much UV exposure while skin is still in the recovery stage. Because there are lower UV levels during these months, it’s a great time to consider cosmetic treatments. Most people also find it easier to recuperate indoors during the colder months, without the added pressure of beach vacations, pool time, and other outdoor activities.

Patients at Greater Knoxville ENT can choose to begin or continue cosmetic treatment through a number of pharmaceutical grade products. Our products are carefully chosen to provide patients with the best options to allow their skin to change in the best possible way.

Call (865) 244-4396 to schedule an appointment, or contact us online.

Did you know that hearing loss affects one in ten North Americans each year? Every October is recognized as Audiology Awareness Month. The purpose is to increase awareness of audiology and to educate the public on the importance of healthy hearing and the professionals who dedicate their lives to helping others hear again.

What is Audiology?

Audiology is known as the science and study of hearing. Audiologists are experts who help to prevent, diagnose and treat hearing and balance disorders. Through treatment with an audiologist, patients can not only improve their hearing, but improve their quality of life.

Audiology at GKENT

At Greater Knoxville ENT, we provide the best hearing care services available, including comprehensive diagnostic hearing evaluations, as well as hearing aids and Bluetooth accessories to help you get the most out of life. Our audiologists have met state and national requirements and have attained the highest level of preparation for providing healthcare to those with hearing problems.

Our talented group of physicians can help you uncover a new world of improved hearing and overall ear health! We treat a number of conditions related to audiology and hearing. Call 865-244-4396 to schedule an appointment or contact us here.

5779 Creekwood Park Blvd, Suite 21
Lenoir City, TN 37772

Greater Knoxville ENT is excited to announce the opening of our new location in Lenoir City.

The Lenoir City office will open on September 11th. Our newest physician, Dr. Joseph White, will be practicing there. Hours and contact information will be announced soon.

Each May, Better Hearing & Speech Month provides an opportunity to raise awareness about communication disorders.

Hearing loss is a common communication disorder, and approximately 48 million Americans experience some degree of hearing loss. Communication disorders, including hearing loss, can compromise physical and emotional health and affect social, educational, and recreational aspects of a person’s life. Symptoms of hearing loss for adults can include asking others to repeat themselves, difficulty hearing in the presence of background noise, and feeling that others mumble or do not speak clearly. Symptoms of hearing loss in children may include delayed or poor speech.

At Greater Knoxville ENT, we provide the best hearing care services available. Our six licensed audiologists, who all hold a doctorate degree in Audiology, are committed to reconnecting patients to the world through better hearing. They perform careful evaluations of hearing sensitivity to determine the type and degree of hearing loss so that the appropriate treatment can be administered. They also fit a full range of digital hearing aids.

If you believe you may be experiencing symptoms associated with hearing loss, contact Greater Knoxville ENT at (865) 512-1291 to schedule an appointment with one of our audiologists.

Greater Knoxville ENT is proud to announce that Dr. Elise Denneny has been named President-elect for the Tennessee Medical Association, effective in May.

When she takes office as the 2019-2020 TMA President, Dr. Denneny will be the third female president in TMA history.

“In thirty years of practicing medicine across every kind of practice setting I’ve seen the relevance and impact of organized medicine. It impacts the lives of physicians, patients families and communities. The Tennessee Medical Association fights for those interests along with federal, state and local societies. TMA has momentum on the back of recent legislative successes,” says Denneny.

Dr. Denneny is a current member of the TMA Board of Trustees and is past president of the Knoxville Academy of Medicine.

See Galina Kremenchugskaya, patient at Greater Knoxville ENT, discuss her experience with Dr. Richard DePersio.

Dr. DePersio has a special interest in head and neck surgery, facial plastic surgery, and endoscopic sinus surgery. He has board certification in both otolaryngology and facial plastic and reconstructive surgery.

Interested in cosmetic surgery at Greater Knoxville ENT? Request an appointment online, or call (865) 244-4396.