Tinnitus Awareness Week 3-9 February – Useful Therapies for Managing Symptoms from Hidden Hearing

Tinnitus Awareness Week 2014 runs from 3-9 February. The British Tinnitus Association will be raising awareness of the condition throughout the week.

Tinnitus can commonly sound like ringing or buzzing in the ears. It’s not a disease or an illness and it’s generated within a person’s own auditory pathways. For some people it comes and goes and in more severe cases it is present permanently, causing problems with sleep and concentration.

If you are one of the many people who suffer from persistent or occasional tinnitus, here are five useful therapies for managing tinnitus:

Firstly, try not to worry. One of the things that we do know about tinnitus is that stress can bring it on or even make it worse. There is help available and this will probably mean managing the condition – it may even disappear if a symptom of an underlying condition can be treated.

What can be done?

Tinnitus therapies vary and it is important to point out that we can only talk about relieving tinnitus. Most therapies revolve around counselling and using alternative forms of sound as a distraction to the tinnitus.

Suggested Therapies:

*Sound Relaxation Ball – This plays seven sounds of nature and includes a built-in timer and can be used anywhere.

* Sound CDs – A box of four relaxation CDs including Tranquil Horizons, Cloud Dances, Classical Thunderstorms and Harmony can be listened to anywhere you have access to a CD player.

* Tinnitus Masker – A hearing aid device that plays white noise to mask the sound of your tinnitus. Noise exposure is a common contributor to Tinnitus. Tinnitus therapy can involve the sufferer listening to another sound source to serve as a distraction.

* Amplification – Hearing aids themselves have been known to help where there is a hearing loss. Some now even have a dedicated program for tinnitus distraction.

* Tinnitus Counselling – A trained Tinnitus Counsellor can help discuss how to manage the condition.

Anybody who might be concerned about their tinnitus can avail of a free hearing test and consultation at any of the Hidden Hearing branches in Northern Ireland, you can find your nearest clinic here. Or you can book a hearing check free of charge by calling our Freephone number 0800 587 7267 or by visiting www.hiddenhearing.org

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Hidden Hearing Recommends Eating For Hearing Health

Protecting your ears from continuednoise exposure and keeping ear infections at bay are fundamental. However, It may come as a surprise that there are foods you can eat to help protect and prevent hearing loss, and halt the progression of any current hearing loss. Do you know which foods are good for hearing health? Here’s a list of foods to keep in your shopping list to make sure you’re able to enjoy healthy ears.

 

 

 

 

Omega 3 Fats and Vitamin D
omega-3-sources animal and plantThe high levels of omega 3 fats and Vitamin D generally found in fish, such as salmon, tuna, trout or sardines, can have highly positive effects on hearing loss. Omega-3s, we know these fats have beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system and reduce inflammation; which can damage sensitive tissues, including those in our ear
Anti-oxidants and Folic Acid
folic-acid-rich-natural-products_1A regular intake of antioxidants, especially in the form of folic acid commonly found in spinach, asparagus, beans, broccoli, eggs, liver or nuts, can reduce the risk of hearing loss by up to 20%. Antioxidants reduce the number of free radicals that swirl through your body and which can otherwise damage the nerve tissue in your inner ears. That might be because the body uses folic acid to metabolize homocysteine, an inflammatory compound that reduces circulation. Good circulation is an important component in keeping the hair cells of the inner ear healthy and working properly.

Magnesium
Bananas-as-Hepatitis-B-Oral-VaccineMagnesium, commonly found in bananas, potatoes, artichokes or broccoli, has been shown to provide additional protection against noise induced hearing loss. Low potassium levels have also been linked to poor hearing. To increase your potassium intake eat foods like apricots, bananas, lima beans, milk and raisins.

Zinc
Dark chocYou can increase your inner ear’s resistance to the boon of age related hearing loss by keeping a healthy dose of Zinc. This can be found in dark chocolate or oysters, among many. Zinc boosts body’s immune system and is also responsible for cell growth and healing wounds, so it’s potentially helpful in warding off germs that cause the common cold and, ultimately, those pesky ear infections. Foods rich in zinc include beef, port and dark-meat chicken, cashews, almonds, peanuts, beans, split peas, lentils, oysters – and dark chocolate!

Vitamin C, E and Glutathione
orangesVitamin E protects blood vessels and nerves around the ear while vitamin C boosts immune function to resist ear infections. Similar to antioxidants, Vitamin C/E can keep free radicals in check and strengthen your overall immune system. The source is easy to find: vegetables (e.g. oranges) and fruits (e.g. bell peppers).

Eat Better, Prevent Hearing Loss Healthy Eating at end
Most of these supplements are inexpensive and readily available. More importantly, the majority of these substances are safe to take for the vast majority of people who suffer from hearing loss. Who knew that better hearing was as close as the nearest multivitamin! If you want to learn more about our ears, or how to prevent hearing loss or need a bit advice on hearing aids, just contact us. In the meantime, eat healthy and you’ll hear better! If you are worried about your hearing contact your local Hidden Hearing branch.  If you have any questions about hearing loss contact Hidden Hearing Online or call 1800 370 000.

Understanding Ushers Syndrome

As part of a series of blogs looking at hearing related conditions, this week we will look at Usher Syndrome.

Usher syndrome is characterised by hearing loss, visual problems and problems with balance. The visual problems are due to a condition called retinitis pigmentosa, in which the retina slowly degenerates and gradually loses its ability to send images to the brain, resulting in a progressive loss in vision.

There are at least three types of Usher syndrome. Type 1 (USH1) and Type 2 (USH2) are the most common and account for up to 95 per cent of children with the condition.

• Type 1: the child is profoundly deaf from birth. Hearing aids are usually of little help and sign language is used for communication. There are also severe problems with balance, so a child may be slow to sit unsupported and is often late learning to walk. Visual problems have usually started to develop by the age of ten – difficulty seeing in reduced light at night is often the first symptom. Deterioration in vision may be rapid and lead to complete blindness.

• Type 2: the child usually has moderate to severe hearing problems from birth. Balance, however, is normal. Hearing aids may allow the child to cope within mainstream school and most can use speech and lip-reading for communication. Vision deteriorates more slowly than with Type 1, and problems may not begin until early adult life.

• Type 3: hearing and sight are normal at birth, but both deteriorate at a rate that varies from person to person. Problems are usually evident by late teens, and by the time most people with Type 3 have reached their 40s they’re blind and have complete hearing loss.

Causes and risk factors

• Between three and six per cent of all children with hearing difficulties have Usher syndrome. It affects about one in every 25,000 babies born in developed countries.
• Usher syndrome is a genetic condition, inherited in an autosomal recessive fashion. This means a child will only develop the condition if they inherit two genes for it, one from each parent.
• In most cases, each parent only carries one Usher syndrome gene, so they don’t have the condition and are often unaware they’re a carrier.
• A number of different genes have been found that may contribute to Usher syndrome. These normally help the retina in the eye and the cochlea in the inner ear to work properly. In children with the condition, one or more of these genes is faulty.

Treatment and recovery

• There’s no cure for Usher syndrome, but the earlier it’s diagnosed, the more can be done to help children lead as normal a life as possible.
• Hearing aids and other communication technology, cochlear implants and specialised support at school may all help the child adjust to their disabilities.
• Counselling may be helpful, particularly regarding future careers. Genetic counselling is important for the individual’s future plans for a family and for the rest of the family, too.
• Gene therapy looks increasingly promising as a treatment for retinitis pigmentosa, but it’s still many years away.

Hidden Hearing and Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind recently announced a partnership which will see Hidden Hearing sponsor the training of a Guide Dog to help assist an individual who is blind, vision impaired or may have Usher Syndrome.

Anybody who might be concerned about their hearing, can avail of a free hearing test at any Hidden Hearing branch nationwide. You can book a hearing test free of charge at any of Hidden Hearing’s 60 clinics nationwide. Freephone 1800 370 000 or visit www.hiddenhearing.org

For more information on Usher Syndrome see: http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/pages/usher.aspx

Pedestrians listening to devices more likely to be struck by cars

iPods and other electronic devices don’t just risk hearing problems and eyestrain. As pedestrians, they may be more likely to be struck by cars, new research finds.

“Compared to adults, teenagers — in particular ages 13 to 17 — were more likely to be using an electronic device when they were injured,” said Dr. Nina Glass, a surgical resident at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City. Her research is to be presented Friday at the American Academy of Pediatrics annual meeting in New Orleans.

The research was triggered, she said, by the number of children who came to NYU’s emergency room after pedestrian accidents.

Glass and her colleagues wanted to find out why, so they collected data on all pedestrians struck by motor vehicles who came to the hospital trauma center between 2008 and 2011. In all, they looked at nearly 1,100 patients. Of those, 13 percent were under age 18.

Use of electronics among the teenage pedestrian patients was twice that of adults, Glass found. It was cited by 18 percent of teens and 9 percent of adults.

Even so, the teens were more likely than the adults to have minor injuries and to be discharged without admission to the hospital, the researchers found. The majority of the teens’ injuries involved scrapes and road rash, Glass said, although there were some head injuries.

Besides electronic device use, other, more obvious factors played a role, Glass found. Children were often injured when they were unsupervised, when they crossed mid-block or when they darted into the street.

In some cases, multiple factors played a role.

Although alcohol use was a factor in 15 percent of adult pedestrian injuries, it was not common among teens. Just 4 percent of teen injuries involved alcohol.

The findings support an earlier study done by David Schwebel, a professor of psychology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. His team set up a virtual pedestrian street to see how listening to music, talking on the phone or texting affected pedestrian safety.

He assigned 138 college students to cross the street while either undistracted or talking on the phone, texting or listening to a personal music device.

Those listening to music or texting were more likely to be hit by a vehicle. All of those in the distracted condition were more likely to look away from the street.

Schwebel’s study was published earlier this year in the journal Accident Analysis and Prevention.

Although his study looked at a virtual environment and the new study examines actual injuries, “their results support ours,” Schwebel said. “Clearly distraction is a significant factor in the large number of pedestrian injuries, and that is especially so among children and teenagers.”

As pedestrians, Schwebel said, “we use our ears quite extensively to cross streets safely.”

It’s crucial, he said, to both look and listen to stay safe as a pedestrian.

What to do?

“Parents can be a good role model by trying to be more cognizant when they cross the street,” Glass said. That means crossing with the light, crossing at intersections and looking both ways before stepping off the curb.

Parents also can talk to their children about appropriate use of electronics, Schwebel said.

“Mobile phones and music listening devices are wonderful inventions,” he said. “They are entertaining, improve communication and sometimes can help us stay safe. But children need to learn when it is appropriate to use their phones and when they should not. Sitting on a park bench is an appropriate place and time to use a phone; crossing a street is not.” Hidden hearing deals with all aspects of hearing loss and hearing care if you have any questions about hearing loss contact Hidden Hearing Online or call 1800 370 000.

 

Source By Kathleen Doheny
HealthDay Reporter

Can pain relief make you deaf?

Analgesics are the most frequently used medications in the World and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used to treat a variety of medical conditions.  Sharon G. Curhan, from Brigham and Women’s Hospital (Massachusetts, USA), and colleagues examined the relationship between frequency of aspirin, ibuprofen and acetaminophen use and risk of hearing loss among women in the Nurses’ Health Study II.  Data from 62,261 women ages 31 to 48 years at baseline was studied. The women were followed for 14 years, from 1995 to 2009. Hearing loss was self-reported in 10,012 women.  Compared with women who used ibuprofen less than once per week, those who used ibuprofen 2 to 3 days per week had a 13% increased risk for hearing loss, while women who used the medication 4 to 5 days per week had a 21% increased risk. For those who used ibuprofen six or more days per week, the increased risk was 24%.  As for acetaminophen, women who took it  2 to 3 days per week had an 11% increased risk for hearing loss, while women taking the medicine 4 to 5 days per week had a 21% increased risk (as compared with women who used acetaminophen less than once per week).  Positing that NSAIDs may reduce blood flow to the cochlea, the hearing organ, thereby impairing its function, the study authors warn that: “use of ibuprofen or acetaminophen (but not aspirin) 2 or more days per week was associated with an increased risk of hearing loss in women. If you are interested in learning more about hearing or are interested in a free hearing test contact Hidden Hearing online or Freephone 0800 587 7267.

Better Hearing Institute Advises People with Even Mild Depression and/or Anxiety Should Get Their Hearing Checked

The Better Hearing Institute (BHI) is urging people with symptoms of depression and/or anxiety to get their hearing checked and to address any diagnosed hearing loss, the institute announced today. Research shows that hearing loss frequently co-exists with depression and/or anxiety, and that people with untreated hearing loss may be at an increased risk of depression.

Hearing loss and depression are increasing worldwide. In fact, according to the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH), the current global financial crisis has led to an increased number of people developing depression. According to a BBC report, the World Health Organization (WHO) predicts that within 20 years depression will affect more people than any other health problem. Already, hearing loss is the third most prevalent chronic health condition facing older Americans. And as far back as 2004, more than 275 million people worldwide had moderate-to-profound hearing impairment. According to the WHO, hearing loss is the second leading cause of YLD (years lost due to disability) only after depression.

“We’ve known for a long time that depression and hearing loss often exist together, particularly in people with untreated hearing loss,” says Sergei Kochkin, PhD, Executive Director of BHI. “In fact, when left unaddressed, hearing loss can lead to isolation and other emotional conditions that can affect both qualify of life and mental health. But we also know that by treating hearing loss, the risk of associated depression and other mental health issues lessens significantly.”

Studies show that when people with mild-to-profound hearing loss use hearing aids, they experience decreased depressive symptoms, anxiety and emotional instability; significant improvements in quality of life and functional health status; and have significantly higher self-concepts compared to individuals with hearing loss who do not wear hearing aids. U.S. research shows that the use of hearing aids reduces the risk of income loss, and that those who use hearing aids are twice as likely to be employed as their peers who do not use hearing aids. Moreover, the vast majority of people with hearing loss can benefit from hearing aids.

If you have any questions about hearing loss or hearing aids contact Hidden Hearing.

 

The higher risks of falling and hearing loss

Researchers at John’s Hopkins have recently published a study that links hearing loss to increased risk of falling. This information needs to be viewed from multiple perspectives. First, it adds to the list of consequential or associated issues that patients with hearing loss may suffer. Second, despite several different “risk factor” lists from several different specialty societies, this is the first time hearing loss has appeared. Third, how do we react? What do we do with this new information?

STUDY

“In the study 2,017 participants ages 40 to 69 had their hearing tested and answered questions about whether they had fallen over the past year. Researchers also collected demographic information, including age, sex and race, and tested participants’ vestibular function, a measure of how well they kept their balance. People with a 25-decibel hearing loss, classified as mild, were nearly three times more likely to have a history of falling. Every additional 10-decibels of hearing loss increased the chances of falling by 1.4 fold. This finding still held true, even when researchers accounted for other factors linked with falling, including age, sex, race, cardiovascular disease and vestibular function. Even excluding participants with moderate to severe hearing loss from the analysis didn’t change the results.”

 

 

The author of the study, Frank Lin, M.D., Ph.D. supports what we thought all along: that someone with hearing loss is less aware of their surroundings, less likely to hear someone/something approaching, and thus may be startled when it/ he/ she enters their field of vision. Also, we know that the elderly don’t multi-task as well as younger people, and dealing with hearing loss gives them one more thing that they have to deal with. According to Dr. Lin “Gait and balance are things most people take for granted, but they are actually very cognitively demanding. If hearing loss imposes a cognitive load, there may be fewer cognitive resources to help with maintaining balance and gait.”

If you have any questions about hearing loss contact Hidden Hearing.

Research shows touch-sensing nerve cells may fuel ‘ringing in the ears’

U-M researcher Susan Shore and graduate student Seth Koehler discuss hearing data. Credit: University of Michigan Health System

A series of articles by various writers on medical topics this one is from medicalxpress.

We all know that it can take a little while for our hearing to bounce back after listening to our iPods too loud or attending a raucous concert. But new research at the University of Michigan Health System suggests over-exposure to noise can actually cause more lasting changes to our auditory circuitry – changes that may lead to tinnitus, commonly known as ringing in the ears.

U-M researchers previously demonstrated that after hearing damage, touch-sensing “somatosensory” nerves in the face and neck can become overactive, seeming to overcompensate for the loss of auditory input in a way the brain interprets – or “hears” – as noise that isn’t really there.

The new study, which appears in the Feb. 1 issue of The Journal of Neuroscience, found that somatosensory neurons maintain a high level of activity following exposure to loud noise, even after hearing itself returns to normal.

The findings were made in guinea pigs, but mark an important step toward potential relief for people plagued by tinnitus, says lead investigator Susan E. Shore, Ph.D., of U-M’s Kresge Hearing Research Institute and a professor of otolaryngology and molecular and integrative physiology at the U-M Medical School.

“The animals that developed tinnitus after a temporary loss in their hearing after loud noise exposure were the ones who had sustained increases in activity in these neural pathways,” Shore says. “In the future it may be possible to treat tinnitus patients by dampening the hyperactivity by reprogramming these auditory-touch circuits in the brain.”

In normal hearing, a part of the brain called the dorsal cochlear nucleus is the first stop for signals arriving from the ear via the auditory nerve. But it’s also a hub where “multitasking” neurons process other sensory signals, such as touch, together with hearing information.

During hearing loss, the other sensory signals entering the dorsal cochlear nucleus are amplified, Shore’s earlier research found. This overcompensation by the somatosensory neurons, which carry information about touch, vibration, skin temperature and pain, is believed to fuel tinnitus in many cases.

Tinnitus affects up to 50 million people in the United States and millions more worldwide, according to the American Tinnitus Association. It can range from intermittent and mildly annoying to chronic, severe and debilitating. There is no cure.

It especially affects baby boomers, who, as they reach an age at which hearing tends to diminish, increasingly find that tinnitus moves in. The condition most commonly occurs with hearing loss, but can also follow head and neck trauma, such as after an auto accident, or dental work. Tinnitus is the number one disability afflicting members of the armed forces.

The involvement of touch sensing (or “somatosensory”) nerves in the head and neck explains why many tinnitus sufferers can change the volume and pitch of the sound by clenching their jaw, or moving their head and neck, Shore explains.

While the new study builds on previous discoveries by Shore and her team, many aspects are new.

“This is the first research to show that, in the animals that developed tinnitus after hearing returned to normal, increased excitation from the somatosensory nerves in the head and neck continued. This dovetails with our previous research, which suggests this somatosensory excitation is a major component of tinnitus,” says Shore, who serves on the scientific advisory committee of the American Tinnitus Association.

“The better we understand the underlying causes of tinnitus, the better we’ll be able to develop new treatments,” she adds. If you have any questions about any aspect of hearing loss contact Hidden Hearing.

I think I’ve begun to lose my hearing

Staying Healthy

By Dr Nina Byrnes

Dr. Nina Byrnes introduces a series of articles by various writers on medical topics this one is by Edel Rooney.

I’ve recently felt my hearing hasn’t been as sharp as before – particularly in one ear. I’m only 45 so I didn’t expect to start losing my hearing yet. What could be the cause of this and would you recommend I take one of those online hearing tests I’ve heard a lot?
Oliver

 

Hearing loss can take hold at any age for any number of different reasons. Common causes include blockages in the inner ear, exposure to excessive noise levels or side effects from various illnesses.

There are three main types of hearing loss:

Conductive hearing loss occurs when there is a blockage in the outer or middle ear, or both. This makes it difficult for sound waves to reach the cochlea (the part of the ear that converts sound waves into electrical signals to send to the brain). A conductive loss can be temporary in nature and in some cases may be treated medically or surgically. Hearing aids may also be prescribed for some patients.

Sensorineural hearing loss occurs when there is a problem in the inner ear or the auditory nerve. The most common condition associated with a sensorineural hearing loss affects the hair cells in the ear that are responsible for picking up high-pitched sounds. This is referred to as presbyacusis or age-related hearing loss.

Damage to the hair cells can be a result of:

• Excessive noise exposure
• Meniere’s Syndrome
• Diseases such as meningitis
• Ototoxic drugs (drugs with side effects that affect hearing)

Because sensorineural loss often affects the hair cells that detect soft, high-pitched sounds, it can be very difficult to hear speech clearly, especially when there is competing background noise. This type of loss is permanent but it can usually be addressed with hearing aids.

Mixed hearing loss is diagnosed when a conductive hearing loss occurs in combination with a sensorineural hearing loss. Mixed hearing loss usually responds well to hearing aids, and other treatments to address the conductive component of the hearing loss may also be sought.

Online hearing tests can give you a guide to your hearing ability but there are many factors that interfere with the reliability of an online test – things as simple as your computer’s microphone settings. When your hearing is professionally tested, the test is carried out in special sound conditions and with specially calibrated equipment.

Instead I’d recommend you discuss your hearing loss with a healthcare professional or hearing specialist. After all, if hearing loss is revealed, you will need a professional to explain what that could mean for you.

You may also have an easily-treatable condition that could be something as simple as excessive ear wax – this will not be revealed on an online hearing test.

Another advantage of being tested professionally is there will be a record of your current hearing levels to enable you check if your hearing deteriorates in the future. Put your mind at rest and get your ears professionally checked.

Dr. Nina Byrnes is Medical Consultant with Hidden Hearing. You can book a hearing test free of charge at any of Hidden Hearing clinic. visit www.hiddenhearing.org.

I am pregnant – what should I eat?

Staying Healthy

By Dr Nina Byrnes

In association with Hidden Hearing

 

Dr. Nina Byrnes introduces a series of articles by various writers on medical topics this one is by Edel Rooney.

 

I have just found out I am pregnant. I am around eight weeks along at the moment and because this is my first pregnancy, I’m not sure what to expect. I’ve heard so much about women craving strange foods but I want to make sure my diet is as healthy as possible for me and my baby. Any tips? Also, is it best to cut out alcohol completely?

 

Georgie

 

 

 

Congratulations. To ensure you and your baby have the nutrients and energy to get through this exciting but demanding time, it’s vital you enjoy a healthy and varied diet.

 

Firstly, there is a new tool at feedingforlife.ie, which gives you a neat insight into the types of food you should be eating at each stage of your pregnancy. In fact, if you pop in a typical meal plan for your day, the tool will tell you whether you are eating healthily or not, based on your due date and your dietary requirements.

 

During the first twelve weeks of your pregnancy, it’s important to take on lots of folic acid – you should take 400g per day at this stage.

 

To guard against anaemia, you should eat iron-rich foods like red meat, eggs, fish and chicken. Oily fish are also an excellent source of Omega 3 and 6 fats, which help your baby’s brain development. Make sure your meat and fish is fully and carefully cooked. Partially raw food can contain bacteria and viruses that may harm you or your baby.

 

Low-fat dairy products will provide the calcium you need for your baby’s bones. However, avoid unpasteurised dairy products, which may contain the bacteria listeria – this can be harmful to your baby.

 

You should drink plenty of water during your pregnancy – this will guard against dehydration and help with heartburn, morning sickness and constipation. Aim for around eight glasses per day. Avoid taking on too much carbonated fluids. Water, milk and unsweetened juices should be your beverages of choice.

 

High-fibre and wholegrain breads, rice and cereals will also help you avoid constipation. As always, you should aim to eat the recommended five-a-day of fruit and vegetables.

 

There are also certain food groups you should cut down or cut out altogether during pregnancy.

 

Drinking during pregnancy

 

Alcohol is best avoided completely. The HSE Health Promotion Unit advises that there is no known safe level of alcohol use during pregnancy.

 

Alcohol consumption can lead to disorders in how the brain develops in the womb as the placenta does not act as a barrier to alcohol. Damage can occur particularly in the first three months of pregnancy, and also from the seventh month of pregnancy on when the brain experiences a growth spurt.

 

The HPU also makes the point that taking more than three drinks per day increases the risk of miscarriage, while taking more than 12 drinks in a week increases the risk of premature birth.

 

Foods to avoid

 

You should also avoid foods containing high amounts of Vitamin A, such as liver and pâté or foods with lots of mercury, like swordfish, marlin or shark. These can harm your baby’s nervous system.

 

You should limit your intake of caffeine to no more than four cups per day – this includes coffee, caffeinated drinks and other sources of caffeine. Peppermint and ginger teas are a good alternative. If making herbal tea, use tea bags, don’t have more than two cups per day and do not make your tea too strong.

 

As during any stage of life, it’s wise to limit the intake of processed and preserved foods, as they usually contain high levels of salt. Crisps and confectionary may offer some sweet relief during pregnancy, but you should limit foods that offer extra calories but little nutrition.

 

Now might also be a good time to have yourself checked for food allergies, particularly if you suspect you have a problem. If there is a family history of nut allergies, avoid peanut and peanut products as your baby may have inherited this problem.

Dr. Nina Byrnes is Medical Consultant with Hidden Hearing. You can book a hearing test free of charge at any of Hidden Hearing clinic. visit www.hiddenhearing.org.