Blog
Why Is Your Ear Itchy?

Feeling a tickle in your ear can be quite bothersome, especially if you don’t know what is causing the sensation. Below is an outline of the top three reasons why your ear may be itchy. Skin Problems Dryness, psoriasis or seborrheic dermatitis can all be the reasons why your ear is itchy. The most common…
Smokers Are at Greater Risk of Developing Hearing Loss
Smoking cigarettes has been linked to a long list of health concerns such as cancer, heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, COPD and stroke. Recent research has found that smoking can also increase your risk of hearing loss, though fortunately quitting can reduce your level of risk. The findings of this study are summarized below. About…
Should You Get Tested for Indoor Allergies?
Dust allergies, more accurately known as dust mite allergies, affect nearly 20 million Americans. It is a common misconception that allergies are caused by dust itself, when in actuality symptoms are triggered by the microscopic bugs that feed on it. Dust mites are close relatives of ticks and spiders, but they’re almost impossible to see…
What Are the Most Common Voice Disorders?

Our voices are produced when air from the lungs passes through the vocal cords – two folds of tissue within the larynx. The vocal cords create sound when they come together and vibrate in response to air passing through. They must vibrate symmetrically and regularly in order for the quality of your voice to sound…
May is Better Hearing and Speech Month: A Great Time to Get Your Hearing Checked

By Emily Barquest, Au.D. CCC-A Since 1927, May 1st has marked the beginning of Better Hearing and Speech Month (BHSM). Created by the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA), this annual month-long campaign was created to promote hearing health and motivate people of all ages to seek treatment for hearing and speech related disorders. Progress…
From Pollens and Foods, to Dust and Dander, We’re Here to Help!

Written by: Rima A. DeFatta, MDCo-founder & President of DeFatta ENT & Allergy Member, American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy Allergies are among America’s most common and costly health problems. In allergy, the immune system overreacts to something that is not typically harmful to it. Allergy symptoms can disrupt a person’s quality of life and also…
No Mask. No Hose. Just Sleep.

By Robert J. DeFatta, MD, PhD, FACS Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common, deadly disorder affecting approximately 17% of adults. It causes increased daytime sleepiness which can lead to workplace injuries, falling asleep while driving, and depression. OSA can also lead to strokes, heart attacks, an irregular heartbeat (a fib), uncontrolled high blood pressure,…
Let Us Tune Your Senses to the Richness of Life

By Rima DeFatta, MD & Robert DeFatta, MD, PhD, FACS Imagine not having a voice to read to your grandchild, or them not hearing the first sounds of the world around them. Imagine not smelling the earth after a spring rain, or not tasting and enjoying your favorite holiday meal. At times like these, when…