Sanford Health

FAQ's

Q: My 6 month old daughter is pulling on her ears, is fussy and is not sleeping well at night. How do I know if she is suffering from an ear infection?

A: The best way to determine this is to be examined by a physician to see if the ear is actually infected.

Q: I am having sensitivity to noise. Last week I had my ears cleaned to remove wax. Could the cleaning be causing the sensitivity?

A: The sensitivity to noise is not specifically related to the cleaning but if you were having some hearing loss from cerumen impaction, the sensitivity is normal and nothing to be concerned about.

Q: I have a perforated ear drum. What are my options?

A: An evaluation of the ear by one of our physicians would be appropriate. When you see a physician, you may want to discuss options from simply monitoring the ear for a period of time to surgical repair.

Q: What is the best way to clear my ears?

A: Ear wax is cleared from the ears by migrating out and then the ear may be cleaned with a washcloth on the outer area. Using Q-tips may hinder this process and can cause the wax to not migrate out naturally. Sometimes it is necessary for a physician to remove the wax.

Q: My husband has reoccurring bloody noses. What could be causing them?

A: Bloody noses can be caused by many things and need to be evaluated by a physician to determine the cause. Most of the time, a bloody nose is due to dryness in the nose but sometimes may be something more serious

Q: I’ve recently had a ringing noise in my ears. Should I see an audiologist?

A: A visit to an ear, nose and throat specialist would be appropriate. The visit will likely include having an audiogram done by an audiologist..

Q: I’ve noticed over the last 4 months my sense of smell is fading. Why would this be happening?

A: This may indicate nasal polyps, a viral process, aging or other reasons for this symptom. An examination by an ear nose and throat specialist would be best to have this evaluated.

Q: My 10 year old has a runny nose, scratchy eyes and a cough. How can I tell if it’s a cold or if he has developed allergies?

A: Many times the length of time that the symptoms last can help determine if it is a cold or allergies. Although colds and allergies can happen at any time of year, allergies are most common in the spring and summer and colds are most common in the winter months.

Q: Can tonsils be removed at any age?

A: Tonsils can be removed at almost any age if it is determined medically necessary. Children typically are older than 2 years of age when the tonsils are taken out.

Q: What are dry mucous membranes?

A: A mucous membrane is the moist tissues that line the nose and mouth become dry.