Southern California Ear, Nose & Throat Southern California Ear, Nose & Throat

Month: October 2026

Is One Hearing Aid Suddenly Quieter or Tinny? What Uneven Sound Means

Posted on by Southern California Ear, Nose & Throat in

Older man in glasses cupping his hands behind his ears to catch uneven sound, a concern seen at Southern California Ear, Nose & Throat in Long Beach

When one hearing aid seems quieter, sharper, or less clear than the other, conversations can feel lopsided. Hearing aids are designed to amplify sound in a way that feels natural, so a noticeable difference between them deserves a closer look.

At Southern California Ear, Nose & Throat, licensed audiologist Susan Eckardt, Au.D., and audiologist Kim Baldock-Mahloch, AuD, can evaluate your hearing and devices to determine whether the difference comes from maintenance needs, programming, fit, or a change in your ears. Most patients can start troubleshooting at home, then seek professional care at one of our four offices along the 405 if the difference persists.

Could Your Ears, Not Your Devices, Explain the Uneven Sound?

Your ears, rather than your devices, can explain uneven sound, because each ear may have its own degree or pattern of hearing loss and need a different amount of amplification. Ear canal shape and earpiece fit also affect the sound that reaches your eardrum.

The goal is comfortable, useful hearing across both ears. Matching the volume numbers or programming exactly may not achieve that goal. One ear may need more help with higher-pitched speech sounds, so the settings on that hearing aid may need to be different from the other.

However, a new or worsening imbalance deserves attention. Earwax, a blocked filter, moisture, or a damaged component may reduce output on one side. Hearing changes can also make settings that were previously appropriate feel uneven.

Muffled, Tinny or Whistling: How Does an Uneven Hearing Aid Show Up?

An uneven hearing aid usually shows up as a change in volume, clarity, the sound of your own voice, odd noises, or streamed audio on one side. Describing the difference clearly helps narrow down the possible cause, so pay attention to whether it affects speech, your own voice, background noise, or streamed audio. Common experiences include:

  • One side seems louder or softer during conversation.
  • Speech sounds muffled, sharp, tinny, or distorted in one ear.
  • Your own voice sounds hollow or unusually loud on one side.
  • One device whistles, hisses, or crackles intermittently.
  • Sound cuts out in one hearing aid.
  • Phone calls or music sound uneven while everyday conversation sounds balanced.

Whistling may result from a poor fit, wax, or a device problem. A plugged-up sensation with your own voice may relate to how the earpiece seals the ear canal. Hissing may reflect amplified environmental sound or noise generated within the device.

These descriptions are clues, not diagnoses. A louder hearing aid doesn’t necessarily mean clearer speech, and two devices can sound different even when both work. Note when the problem began and which situations make it most noticeable.

Which Quick Fixes Are Worth Trying in a Quiet Room First?

The quick fixes worth trying first are checking power, programs, volume, battery or charge, placement, and the wax filter. Work in a quiet room and check one possible cause at a time before making further changes. Follow the instructions for your model:

  • Confirm each hearing aid is on and has not been muted.
  • Check the selected listening program and any separate volume controls.
  • Recharge the affected device or replace its disposable battery if needed.
  • Confirm each aid is in the correct ear and seated comfortably.
  • Inspect the earpiece and wax filter for visible blockage.
  • Clean accessible surfaces and replace approved parts as instructed.

Some controls change both aids together, while others adjust each side independently. Return to your prescribed starting settings if you accidentally changed them.

If the issue occurs only during streaming, compare it with normal conversation and follow your manufacturer’s connection troubleshooting. That distinction can help identify a wireless problem.

Avoid swapping hearing aids between ears as a home test. Settings and earpieces may differ by side. Don’t insert sharp objects into sound openings, force parts apart, or repeatedly increase volume to overcome muffled sound. Schedule an appointment with Susan Eckardt or Kim Baldock-Mahloch if basic checks don’t resolve the difference.

What Happens When You See a Long Beach Audiologist About Uneven Sound?

When you see one of our audiologists about uneven sound, your hearing aids and your ears are evaluated separately to pinpoint where the difference starts. The visit typically begins with questions about the sound difference, when it occurs, recent maintenance, and whether symptoms persist without the devices. Bring both hearing aids and describe any situations that consistently trigger the problem.

An ear examination can identify wax or other concerns that may interfere with hearing. Updated hearing tests can compare each ear’s sensitivity and speech understanding with previous results. Middle ear testing or an evaluation with one of our ENT physicians may be appropriate when findings suggest a medical issue.

Device checks may include inspecting microphones, speakers, filters, tubing, and earpieces. Testing in a hearing aid test box can measure output and identify performance problems.

What Daily and Follow-Up Care Keeps Both Devices Dependable?

Daily cleaning, separate filter checks, and regular follow-up visits keep both devices dependable, even if their settings stay different. Wipe them daily with a soft, dry cloth and inspect each earpiece for buildup. Check filters individually; one may collect wax faster than the other.

Attend follow-up appointments for your hearing aids and report recurring changes in sound or fit. Brief notes on when problems occur help us focus adjustments. The aim is dependable performance tailored to your hearing needs.

Schedule an Uneven Sound Visit in Long Beach or Orange County

If your hearing aids sound uneven, schedule an evaluation with Susan Eckardt, Au.D., or Kim Baldock-Mahloch, AuD. Bring both hearing aids, your charger (if charging is a concern), and notes on when the difference occurs. We can determine whether the next step is maintenance, adjustments, repair, or further hearing assessment.

Call our Long Beach office at 562-427-0550, our Huntington Beach office at 714-898-2221, or our Los Alamitos and Newport Beach offices at 562-596-9889. You can also request an appointment online.

When Sinusitis Won’t Stay Away: Causes, Care, and Next Steps

Posted on by Southern California Ear, Nose & Throat in

Gray-haired woman blowing her nose at her laptop desk, dealing with another sinus infection, from Southern California Ear, Nose & Throat in Long Beach

When sinus symptoms return just as you start to feel better, the cycle can disrupt work, sleep, and everything in between. Southern California Ear, Nose & Throat has cared for patients in Southern California since 1985, and our board-certified otolaryngologists and providers evaluate recurring sinus symptoms at our offices in Long Beach, Los Alamitos, Huntington Beach, and Newport Beach.

Our team looks for contributing conditions and helps you understand which treatments may reduce their impact. The first step is determining whether you have separate infections or persistent sinus inflammation. From there, we can help build a more effective plan for breathing comfortably.

What Are the Telltale Signs of Sinusitis?

The telltale signs of sinusitis are a stuffy nose combined with facial pressure, thick drainage, and a weaker sense of smell. Sinusitis develops when the sinus lining becomes inflamed. Swelling can interfere with normal mucus drainage, leading to congestion and discomfort. Symptoms often include:

  • A blocked or stuffy nose
  • Facial pain or pressure around the cheeks, eyes, or forehead
  • Thick nasal drainage or mucus dripping down the throat
  • Reduced sense of smell
  • Cough, headache, or tiredness

Some people also notice upper tooth discomfort, bad breath, or fever. Symptoms can interfere with sleep and concentration.

Colds, allergies, and other conditions can produce overlapping symptoms. The duration, pattern, and severity of your illness help your SCENT provider determine what is most likely happening.

Short-Term or Long-Term: Which Kind of Sinusitis Do You Have?

The kind of sinusitis you have depends largely on timing: it is likely acute if it clears within four weeks, recurrent if separate episodes come with symptom-free stretches in between, and chronic if symptoms last at least 12 weeks. Acute sinusitis often follows a cold, and most acute sinus infections are viral. Bacterial infections can occur, but they account for a smaller share of cases.

A diagnosis of chronic sinusitis also requires evidence of sinus inflammation on examination or appropriate testing. It is not simply a bacterial infection requiring repeated courses of antibiotics. Ongoing inflammation, nasal polyps, and other contributing problems may be involved.

With recurrent acute sinusitis, you feel well between episodes. People with chronic sinusitis, on the other hand, may never feel completely clear between flare-ups.

Noting when symptoms begin, how long they last, and whether they fully resolve helps your otolaryngologist distinguish these patterns. That distinction matters, because each pattern may require a different management plan.

Can Allergies, Smoke, or Dental Problems Cause Repeat Sinusitis?

Yes, allergies, smoke, and dental infections can all contribute to repeat sinusitis, along with repeated colds and, occasionally, immune or mucus-clearance problems. Repeated respiratory viruses can trigger new episodes, particularly when you frequently encounter people with colds. Allergies may also keep nasal tissues inflamed, making congestion and drainage problems harder to control.

Smoking, secondhand smoke, and other airborne irritants can aggravate symptoms. Dental infections sometimes contribute to sinus disease, particularly when symptoms affect one side.

Less commonly, immune system problems or conditions that affect mucus clearance make infections harder to overcome. Your ENT physician may consider testing if infections are unusually frequent, severe, or difficult to treat.

Is It Safe to Treat a Sinus Infection at Home First?

Home care is a reasonable first step for an uncomplicated sinus infection, as long as you watch for the warning signs below. Rest, fluids, a warm compress, saline, and avoiding smoke can ease symptoms while the episode improves. Try these steps:

  • Rest and drink fluids regularly.
  • Apply a comfortably warm compress over your nose and forehead.
  • Use saline nasal spray or an appropriate saline rinse.
  • Avoid smoke and other irritants that worsen congestion.

For nasal rinsing, use only distilled, sterile, or previously boiled and cooled water. Do not use untreated tap water. Follow the device instructions for preparing the saline solution, cleaning the equipment, and allowing it to dry between uses.

Decongestants may offer temporary relief, but they do not address every cause of sinusitis. Certain nasal decongestant sprays can worsen congestion when used longer than directed. Avoid starting leftover antibiotics or assuming the same treatment will work for every episode. Home care should support recovery without delaying an evaluation when symptoms worsen.

When Do Sinus Symptoms Need an ENT Visit in Southern California?

Sinus symptoms need an ENT visit when they last more than 10 days without improvement, get worse after first improving, or bring a fever lasting more than three to four days. Severe facial pain or headache also warrants medical attention.

Repeated episodes, persistent congestion, or symptoms that disrupt sleep and daily activities deserve assessment, even when each flare-up seems manageable. Contact your provider earlier if you have a weakened immune system or another condition that increases your risk of infection.

Seek urgent medical care for swelling or redness around an eye, vision changes, forehead swelling, confusion, or a stiff neck. These symptoms can indicate an uncommon but serious complication.

Before your appointment, record recent episodes, treatments, and whether symptoms cleared completely. Mention allergies, asthma, dental problems, and previous sinus procedures. This history helps guide the examination and any further testing.

What Can an Otolaryngologist Do About Repeat Sinus Infections?

An otolaryngologist can pinpoint why sinus infections keep returning and tailor treatment to that cause. Your otolaryngologist may examine your nasal passages with an endoscope or recommend a CT scan as needed to evaluate persistent disease.

Saline irrigation and nasal corticosteroid sprays can help manage chronic inflammation. Allergy treatment, including immunotherapy for selected patients, may help when allergies contribute. Dental or immune system problems require targeted care.

Antibiotics may be appropriate for certain bacterial infections. For uncomplicated cases, your provider may recommend observation with a clear follow-up plan. Antibiotics do not routinely treat chronic inflammation without an acute bacterial flare-up.

If appropriate medical treatment doesn’t control symptoms, endoscopic sinus surgery may improve drainage and remove obstructing tissue, and balloon sinuplasty is another option for some patients. Selected patients with chronic sinusitis and nasal polyps may also benefit from biologic medication.

Treatment choices depend on your diagnosis, previous response, and overall health. Procedures and medicines carry risks, and you may still need ongoing care.

Schedule a Sinus Visit at Southern California Ear, Nose & Throat

If sinus infections keep interrupting your routine, our ENT team can help you understand the next steps and plan care for your recurring sinus concerns at whichever office along the 405 is most convenient for you.

Call our Long Beach office at 562-427-0550, our Huntington Beach office at 714-898-2221, or our Los Alamitos and Newport Beach offices at 562-596-9889. You can also request an appointment online.

Globus Sensation: Why Your Throat Feels Tight or Lumpy

Posted on by Southern California Ear, Nose & Throat in

Older woman in glasses and a green jacket holding her throat over a lump-in-the-throat feeling, from Southern California Ear, Nose & Throat

Feeling as if something is stuck in your throat, when nothing actually is, can be unsettling, especially when the sensation lingers for weeks. Southern California Ear, Nose & Throat has cared for patients in Southern California since 1985, and our board-certified otolaryngologists and providers evaluate persistent throat symptoms at our offices in Long Beach, Los Alamitos, Huntington Beach, and Newport Beach.

This feeling, known as globus sensation, is typically harmless. Still, it’s important to know when symptoms could point to something more serious and how daily habits may affect your throat. Our team can check for possible contributing conditions and help you understand whether treatment or further assessment is appropriate.

What Is Behind a Lump-in-the-Throat Sensation Without a Blockage?

A lump-in-the-throat sensation without a blockage is usually globus sensation, a feeling of a lump, tightness, or something stuck in the throat when there is no actual blockage. The feeling is usually painless, and food and liquids generally pass normally. Some people notice it between meals or when swallowing saliva, while eating may temporarily ease the sensation.

No single explanation fits every case. Reflux may irritate throat tissues, and postnasal drip can leave mucus and an urge to clear the throat. Muscle tension, voice strain, and stress may also contribute. Stress-related symptoms are real physical experiences, not something you are imagining.

Repeated throat clearing or swallowing to check the sensation may maintain irritation and awareness of the area. However, a persistent feeling should not automatically be labeled globus. Thyroid enlargement and other neck or swallowing conditions can produce similar symptoms and may need a different evaluation.

Is a Lump-in-the-Throat Feeling Ever a Warning Sign?

A lump-in-the-throat feeling can be a warning sign when it comes with swallowing trouble, pain, weight loss, a neck lump, or hoarseness that persists. A painless sensation with normal eating and drinking is more consistent with globus than an obstruction. However, symptoms alone cannot confirm that everything is harmless, so an examination helps distinguish a benign sensation from a condition requiring treatment.

Contact a healthcare provider promptly if you notice:

  • Food sticking or difficulty swallowing liquids
  • Pain when swallowing or persistent throat pain
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • A visible or felt lump in the neck
  • Persistent hoarseness or symptoms that progressively worsen

These symptoms don’t always mean cancer, but they deserve assessment. A lump you can feel in the neck, sometimes called a neck mass, is different from the internal sensation of globus.

Which Self-Care Steps Relieve a Tight, Lumpy Throat?

Self-care steps that relieve a tight, lumpy throat focus on gentle throat care that reduces irritation and tension, provided you can swallow comfortably and have no warning signs. Try these measures:

  • Take small sips of water throughout the day.
  • Replace habitual throat clearing with a sip of water.
  • Try a gentle yawn and relax your jaw and shoulders.
  • Practice slow, comfortable breathing during tense moments.
  • Take breaks after prolonged speaking.

Try not to swallow repeatedly with an empty mouth to test whether the feeling is still there. That habit can make you more aware of your throat and may worsen discomfort.

When Is It Time to See a Southern California ENT for Globus?

It is time to see an ENT for globus when the sensation is constant, keeps returning, or does not improve with simple throat care. You should also schedule an evaluation if symptoms disrupt your sleep, meals, or daily activities.

During your visit, your otolaryngologist or ENT provider may examine your mouth, throat, and neck. A thin, flexible camera may be passed through the nose to inspect the throat and voice box. Swallowing tests or additional investigations depend on symptoms and examination findings and are not necessary for everyone.

Treatment may address identified reflux or nasal inflammation. Speech therapy can sometimes help reduce throat muscle tension, while support for anxiety may help when distress contributes to symptoms.

Can Changing Your Routine Calm a Lump in the Throat?

Changing your routine can calm a lump in the throat when the changes target what is irritating it, such as reflux, smoke, or dryness. Look for patterns rather than eliminating foods or activities indiscriminately. If reflux appears to contribute, try smaller meals and avoid lying down for about three hours after eating.

Smoking and vaping can irritate the throat. Stopping these habits and limiting exposure to smoke may improve throat comfort. Regular hydration and sensible voice use also support throat care.

Follow your provider’s recommended plan for allergies or reflux. Consistent, targeted changes are generally more useful than trying many remedies at once.

Does Globus Clear Up, and How Long Might It Linger?

Globus often clears up, but how long it lingers varies, and there is no reliable recovery timeline. Some episodes settle on their own, while others come and go over several months. Persistent symptoms can last longer, sometimes for years, especially when contributing factors remain unresolved.

Improvement may be gradual when throat irritation or longstanding muscle tension is involved. A brief return of symptoms does not necessarily mean treatment has failed. The pattern, severity, and any new symptoms matter more than a specific number of days.

Once your SCENT provider has confirmed uncomplicated globus, reassurance and a clear management plan may make the sensation easier to handle. Arrange follow-up if it remains troublesome or changes. New swallowing difficulty, pain, or a neck lump should be reassessed rather than attributed to an earlier globus diagnosis.

Get Your Throat Checked at Southern California Ear, Nose & Throat

A lump-in-the-throat feeling that keeps returning deserves a closer look. Our ENT team can review your symptoms and discuss a plan for your persistent throat symptoms at whichever office along the 405 is most convenient for you.

Call our Long Beach office at 562-427-0550, our Huntington Beach office at 714-898-2221, or our Los Alamitos and Newport Beach offices at 562-596-9889. You can also request an appointment online.