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| “So Many Symptoms Can Leave You Feeling Unbalanced”
Alfred J.
Mauriello,II, MD
Excerpts from an article published in the Daily Local
News on August 17, 2009
Symptoms such as spinning (vertigo), any sense of abnormal movement such as rocking, staggering or falling, are more frequently caused by a disorder of the inner-ear mechanism of balance. This organ consists of three fluid-filled semicircular canals, each of which has a different orientation (position). These respond to movements of the head to the side or in an up-and-down direction. Sensory hair cells covered with very small calcium stones are found in the inner ear. They can become displaced by changes in position and gravity, causing the hair cells to bend. This, in turn, results in nerve impulses that interact with input from our eyes as well as our musculoskeletal system by way of pathways in the nervous system and brain, providing us with a sense of our orientation in space. These systems are extremely important in maintaining balance. The symptoms of balance disorders originating in the inner ear not only include vertigo, but also include blurring of vision, nausea, vomiting and a sense of disorientation. The causes of this include viral or bacterial infections, diminished blood flow to the inner ear, head trauma, the effects of aging, certain medications, changes in the fluid pressure of the inner ear and tumors of the inner ear. The diagnosis and treatment of balance disorders are complex. A person experiencing symptoms should see an otolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat specialist) for examination, testing and treatment. Medical, surgical and other treatment options may include head-positioning maneuvers, treatment of a contributing disease (such as an ear infection), vestibular rehabilitation (balance retraining), dietary and medical treatment for increased fluid pressure of the inner ear, direct injection of medications into the middle ear, and/or surgery to decompress the inner ear, seal a leak, or remove a small tumor. The
Hearing Aid Tax Credit
The Hearing Aid Tax Credit is new legislation which is being introduced to the Senate shortly. Did you know that one in every ten people in the United States today has hearing loss? That is over 30 million Americans, and it is now the second most common birth defect. Despite the fact that hearing aids could treat 95 % of all hearing loss, Medicare and most insurance policies do not cover the costs. As a result, many simply cannot afford hearing aid treatment. This bill, if enacted, would provide a $500 tax credit per hearing aid available once every 5 years. While there is wide bi-partisan support, your support is important to ensure passage. Please contact your Senators and encourage them to support this bill. You can visit www.hearingaidtaxcredit.org for your Senator’s name and email address, as well as a sample letter to sign and send. Thank you for your participation in this worthy cause! Sinusitis
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