You Decide

Information for Patients with Dizziness

IF you have a balance disorder as a result of an ear problem you should know:

The ears work together to create balance. The ears send a balance signal to the brain, and the brain compares the two signals. Normally these signals are the same. Vertigo is triggered when the balance signals are unequal, such as when one ear sends a strong signal and the other is a weak one.

Sedating medications do not help the healing process. Medications like Antivert (Meclizine), Valium (diazepam), and some antihistamines suppress the vestibular and central nervous systems. This delays the healing process because the medication reduces the neural response as the brain tries to balance the two signals, and delaying rehabilitation makes balance problems worse.

The ears need to learn to work together. Some patients do not want to move because they are afraid of creating vertigo, but this is a mistake. The brain needs to relearn how to coordinate the balance signals from both ears. The more often the brain deals with the signals from the ear, the quicker the dizziness problem will be resolved.  When the brain learns how to coordinate the signals from both ears, balance results.

Balance exercises help. Vestibular rehabilitation is a series of instructions and exercises to help your brain adjust to a weak ear signal. Remember, professional ice skaters and ballerinas learn to spin rapidly without getting dizzy. Rehabilitation classes help patients adapt to the signal imbalance coming from the ears.

You do not have a life-threatening disease. Dizziness, vomiting, and nausea are not fun, but they are not dangerous and your condition is not life-threatening. You can learn to suppress and control vertigo so they disappear altogether.

Commone Myths about Hearing Loss

1. My hearing loss cannot be helped.

In the past, many people with hearing loss in one ear, with a high frequency hearing loss, or with nerve damage have all been told they cannot be helped, often by their family practice physician. This might have been true many years ago, but with modern advances in technology, nearly 95% of people with a sensorineural (nerve) hearing loss CAN be helped with hearing aids.

2. My hearing loss is normal for my age.

Isn't this a strange way to look at things? But do you realize that well-meaning doctors tell this to their patients every day? It happens to be "normal" for overweight people to have high blood pressure, but that doesn't mean they should not receive treatment for the problem.  Yes, hearing loss can be common as we age, but it shouldn't be ignored.

3. Hearing aids will make me look older and handicapped.

Looking older is clearly more affected by almost all other factors besides hearing aids. It is not the hearing aids that make one look older, it is what one may believe they imply.  If hearing aids help you function like a normal hearing person, for all intents and purposes, the stigma is removed.  Hearing aid manufacturers are well aware that cosmetics is an issue to many people, and that's why today we have hearing aids that are extremely tiny, and some that fit totally in the ear canal.  But more importantly, keep in mind that "a hearing loss is more obvious than a hearing aid." Smiling and nodding your head when you don't understand what's being said makes your condition more apparent than the largest hearing aid.

Information obtained from The Better Hearing Institute

Jeff Float

Jeff Float - Olympic Gold Medalist

Mr. Float was captain of the 1984 U.S. Olympic swim team, which set a world record in the men's 4 x 200-meter freestyle relay. He wears two hearing aids to correct his hearing loss.

Jeff reported, "I had viral meningitis at the age of 13 months that caused a permanent loss of 60-80% of my hearing. My very supportive parents sent me to a famous clinic when I was three, where I was fitted with hearing aids and introduced to the fundamentals of communicating effectively in a hearing world. I owe thanks to the rapid advancement in hearing aid technology combined with lip reading and speech therapy techniques. Winning a gold medal and overcoming a hearing handicap took many years of parents, practice, keeping things in proper perspective and above all, a deep desire to excel to the best you can be. My motto throughout high school and college was "it is better to have tried and lost than to have never tried at all".



Information obtained from the Better Hearing Insitute: www.betterhearing.org

ATTENTION: Oto-Ease Recall

Westone is voluntary nationwide recall of all sizes and packaging configurations of Oto-Ease® ear lubricant. The products have been found through a consumer complaint and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sample analysis to be potentially contaminated with pathogenic bacteria and mold. Use of the product as directed for easing the insertion of custom fit ear molds and hearing instruments (including hearing aids) could result in infectious complications of the ear canal and surrounding tissues.

This product was previously recalled in October 2011 within the United States and from Australia (without FDA knowledge).

Consumers who have any size or packaging configuration should stop using the product and contact their healthcare provider. Packaging configurations include the following:

1) 0.5 oz semi transparent flexible plastic bottles with orange or semi transparent plastic screw-on dispensing caps; and

2) aluminum foil single use sample packs with red or black print writing.

The Oto-Ease unit containers are not identified with a lot number, expiration date, or UPC Code.

No injuries or illnesses have been reported to date. This recall is being conducted with the full knowledge of the FDA.

The products were distributed to hospitals, health professionals, and retailers nationwide and to Belgium, Greece, Canada, Thailand, Australia, Panama, Singapore, Russian Federation, Ireland, The Philippines, France, Korea, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Brazil, Japan, Germany, Mexico, Hong Kong, Sweden.

Consumers with questions may contact Westone Laboratories at at otoeaserecall@westone.com.

Any adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of these products may be reported to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Events Program either online, by regular mail or by fax.

Online: www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm

Regular mail: use postage-paid, pre-addressed Form FDA3500 available at www.fda.gov/MedWatch/getforms.htm

Fax: 1-800-FDA-0178

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If you use Oto-ease regularly and are in need of a replacement lubricant, please contact Kenwood.  We have several options available for you!