Patient Resources

How Common Is Hearing Loss?
The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) says 37.5 million US adults “report some trouble hearing.” It’s likely hearing loss numbers are higher than this due to the considerable number of adults who don’t report it. People of all...

Dr. Lance Nelson Shares His Opinion On OTC Hearing Devices
After months of anticipation, it finally happened. On August 17, the Food and Drug Administration gave the green light to over-the-counter-hearing aids. This means that OTCs are now available to purchase in your local pharmacist, store, or online retailer without the...

Different Types of Hearing Loss and How to Treat Them
Hearing loss can present itself very gradually so patients have a lot of time to adapt and conceal their problems from their family, friends, and co-workers. It can often be hard to identify because of this. Each patient will have different experiences and come from...

What is Earwax, and Why Do I Have it?
Producing ear wax is a normal process and you are producing it all the time. Since your ears are self-cleaning, your ear wax will gather all the dirt, debris, and bacteria that are trying to get into your ears throughout your day. Naturally, your earwax will move...

Over-The-Counter vs. Prescription Hearing Aids—What’s the Difference?
You may be surprised to know that over-the-counter hearing options have been available in some form or another for a long time now. This technology was better known as a personal sound amplifier (PSAP) that simply increased or decreased sound volume. They were always...

Do I Need A Hearing Assessment?
The Centers for Disease Control report hearing loss as the third most common health problem in the USA, trailing behind arthritis and heart disease but more common than either cancer or diabetes. Despite these statistics, hearing care tends to be far down the list...

COVID-19 – Our Safety Procedures for In-Person Appointments
At West Coast Hearing & Balance, our number one priority is to ensure the health and wellbeing of our patients. Our community during the global crisis must continue to follow our easy 5 stage guide to protect ourselves and the most vulnerable people in the local...

Helping A Loved One With A Hearing Loss This Holiday Season
Because hearing loss is so prevalent — approximately 37.5 million adults report some trouble hearing — it’s to be expected that most of us will have a loved one facing this holiday season with a bit of trepidation due to their untreated hearing loss. Will they be...

Have Your Hearing Needs Changed Since COVID-19?
We’re now settling in for the winter, and even though COVID-19 is still with us, we’re adjusting to getting back to work and going to social events again. This brings its own set of challenges because we’ve been used to being at home in relative quiet for a long time,...

Five Common Hearing Aid Problems and How to Fix Them
Hearing aids provide some incredible benefits leading to a more independent and rewarding lifestyle. To reap these benefits, they need to perform as designed. Residents in Ventura and Los Angeles communities understand the troubleshooting and tech support of some of...