Frequently Asked Questions

I have noticed a sudden hearing change in one or both ears. What should I do?

My hearing aid is not working. What should I do?

How soon can I fly after surgery?

How soon can I go swimming after ear surgery?

How can I keep water out of my ear after ear surgery?

The doctor gave me a prescription for ear drops after surgery. When should I start using the ear drops?

My insurance company has denied payment for my hearing test. Can your office re-bill my insurance company?

I have noticed a sudden hearing change in one or both ears. What should I do?

You should contact your doctor immediately to have a thorough ear evaluation as soon as possible. The ear evaluation should include a formal hearing test. For more information please go the following page regarding sudden hearing loss.

My hearing aid is not working. What should I do?

First, we would recommend replacing the hearing aid battery. If the aid does not work after replacing the battery, we suggest you bring the hearing aid in for repair. We will contact you within one working day to inform as to whether your hearing aid may be repaired in our office or if the aid must be returned to the manufacturer for repair.

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How soon can I fly after surgery?

We recommend the following regarding airplane travel after ear surgery:

• Ear tubes: the same or the next day after tube insertion
• Ear drum repair/ear bone repair/stapedectomy/mastoidectomy: airplane travel no earlier than 2 weeks after surgery.
• Inner ear/skull base surgery/acoustic neuroma surgery: airplane travel no earlier than 4 weeks after surgery.

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How soon can I go swimming after ear surgery?

We recommend the following regarding swimming after ear surgery:

• Ear tubes: one week after tube insertion
• Ear drum repair/ear bone repair/stapedectomy/mastoidectomy: recommendations regarding swimming after these ear operations is quite variable, so no guidelines are given. Please consult with your doctor at your post operative visit.
• Inner ear/skull base surgery/acoustic neuroma surgery: Swimming should be avoided for at least 6 weeks after these types of surgical procedures.

How can I keep water out of my ear after ear surgery?

We suggest that you plug your ear canal with a cotton ball that has been covered in a thin layer of vaseline prior to bathing. Do not force the cotton with vaseline down the ear canal. The cotton ball/vaseline should only be placed far enough into the outer ear canal to prevent water from entering the canal.

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The doctor gave me a prescription for ear drops after surgery. When should I start using the ear drops?

The drops should be used as directed starting one week prior to your first visit after surgery.

My insurance company has denied payment for my hearing test. Can your office re-bill my insurance company?

Rebilling your insurance company will not help. Some insurance policies do not cover hearing tests. We recommend that you contact your insurance company to determine the insurance company's policy regarding hearing tests. Please inform the insurance company that you came to the doctor for a medical problem.

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