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\nInside and out, your ears reveal a lot about your physical health. Doctors in Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond and throughout the Puget Sound know to study the ears of their patients closely for clues to possible underlying medical conditions.<\/p>\n
We\u2019ve all got ears (some are more pronounced than others). If you think they\u2019re only good for collecting sounds, you might be surprised to learn that your ears can also provide important clues about your overall health. Your Bellevue audiologist will explain how.<\/p>\n
\nInside and out, your ears reveal a lot about your physical health. Doctors in Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond and throughout the Puget Sound know to study the ears of their patients closely for clues to possible underlying medical conditions.<\/p>\n
Here are some of the things they check for.<\/p>\n
Earlobes that have a diagonal crease through the middle are often a sign of coronary heart disease. In fact, there\u2019s a name for this: Frank\u2019s sign. It occurs when tissue surrounding the blood vessels deteriorates around the ears and heart. Not all creases are indicative of cardiovascular disease, but they are worth investigating\u2014especially if you have been having chest pain or shortness of breath.<\/li>\n
Obviously, a loss of hearing<\/a> indicates a problem with the ears, but it is also associated with a variety of physical, social and psychological conditions\u2014more so in those who aren\u2019t treating their impairment. Researchers at Johns Hopkins University found that people with moderate hearing loss are three times more likely to suffer from dementia compared to those whose hearing is normal.<\/li>\n Hearing loss that occurs in only one ear (often called SSHL<\/a>) can occur due to trauma, infection, fluid buildup or acoustic neuroma\u2014a benign tumor that grows on the vestibular nerve. Even though it\u2019s noncancerous, the tumor may grow large enough to press up against the auditory nerve, causing hearing loss in one ear. It can eventually become life-threatening unless removed surgically.<\/li>\n Usually described as a ringing in the ears (though patients report a wide range of sounds including roaring, whooshing, hissing, buzzing and clicking), tinnitus<\/a> is a symptom rather than a disease, the result of another medical condition that you may or may not be aware of. Possible causes include high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, circulatory disorders, hormonal changes, Meniere\u2019s disease and tumors. Side effects of tinnitus<\/a> such as stress, anxiety and insomnia are common.<\/li>\n Ears that itch frequently might be a sign of eczema, especially when the ear canals are red; or fungus, which might be accompanied by a white-colored discharge. Avoid scratching your ears to reduce the chances of infection. If itchiness lasts longer than a few days, have a doctor check things out.<\/li>\nSingle-sided deafness<\/h3>\n
Tinnitus<\/h3>\n
Itchy ears<\/h3>\n
Earache<\/h3>\n