Smokers Are at a Greater Risk of Developing Hearing Loss

Many of the risks of smoking are well-known, including cancer, heart disease, stroke, lung disease, diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). As researchers learn more about the comorbidities of smoking, this list continues to grow. In fact, many are now beginning to add hearing loss to the list in part thanks to a recent…
Genetics of Hearing Loss

There are many possible causes of hearing loss, which can be broken down into environmental causes and genetic factors. Our genes carry instructions that tell our cells how to grow and function. There are many genes involved in helping us hear, but sometimes these genes don’t form in an expected manner, which is called a…
Does Hearing Loss Make Your Brain Work Harder?

Most of us know the feeling of relief after getting dismissed from a meeting, leaving a party or exiting a Zoom call. That’s because straining to listen over background noise, understand what’s being said, remember the information and formulate a response is mentally exhausting. For people with hearing loss, the level of exhaustion is exponential….
Post FNA Procedure
It is important that you contact your referring clinician after your aspiration biopsy to obtain a final diagnostic pathology report as well as plan any appropriate follow-up and/or treatment with your physician. Post Aspiration Biopsy Patient Information Bruising or tenderness over the biopsy is usually mild and resolves within several days. If painful, you can…
Scheduling Instructions
TO SCHEDULE AN USFNA, PLEASE: Call Augusta – Aiken ENT & Allergy USFNA Scheduling, at Once you’ve scheduled the FNA procedure, please be prepared to: fill out the FNA Biopsy order form completely fax the order form and all pertinent paperwork to Augusta – Aiken ENT & Allergy scheduling at (706) 868-5671 as soon as…
Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA)
Safe, Simple and Accurate. Ultrasound guidance is used to perform fine needle aspiration biopsy so the needle path can be watched on the screen to ensure safe and accurate sampling. The procedure is fast, least painful, and has minor or no complications, and often saves patients from having to undergo more invasive procedures for diagnosis….
Ultrasound-Guided Biopsy
Can Lost Hearing Be Restored?

Nobody wants to get the news they have hearing loss, in part because the rehabilitation process times time and commitment. In this day and age with today’s rapid advances in medical technology, many wonder whether there is a “quick fix” for hearing loss or whether hearing can be fully restored. The answer is not quite,…
Inspire
Approximately 18 million Americans experience obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a sleep disorder that can cause serious problems such as excessive daytime sleepiness and fatigue, memory loss and lack of concentration. These individuals have an increased risk of heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure. While PAP therapy is the preferred treatment method, not everybody can…
The Pros and Cons of Common Hearing Aid Styles

Once your audiologist diagnoses you with hearing loss, the next step is to select a hearing aid. There are a wide variety of manufacturers, styles and colors to choose from, so the options can feel overwhelming. Fortunately, your audiologist is there to help you every step of the way. Below is an overview of the…