ENT Insights

Hearing Aids

Modern Surgical Hearing Implants

Hearing loss is one of the most common medical conditions in Singapore, with as many as 360,000 people affected. Of these, many suffer from disabling hearing loss, which is defined by the World Health Organisation

Hearing Loss and Hearing Aids

What is a Common Problem of the Youth? The local youth, by and large, have good hearing. However, they often do not pay attention to good hearing habits and hygiene. They tend to take their

Hearing Loss

Electric Acoustic Stimulation to Preserve Residual Hearing

Electric acoustic stimulation combines a cochlear implant with acoustic hearing support to help patients with partial deafness hear more naturally.

Understanding Age-Related Hearing Loss

Age-related hearing loss is common in Singapore and affects many people over 60. As we age, changes in the inner ear’s intricate structures and the auditory nerve can cause hearing to decline gradually. Early detection

Possible Causes of Hearing Loss

Hearing loss occurs when an individual experiences a decline in hearing or impaired auditory function. It can range from mild to severe and can result from several factors, including ageing, loud noise exposure, blockages, and

Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

To wake up suddenly and find that you cannot hear in one ear is a terrifying experience. Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) occurs when hearing loss of 30 decibels or more is measured across 3

Otitis Media and Hearing Loss

Otitis media is a prevalent ear infection treated by ENT specialists worldwide. In Singapore, almost 60% of children have experienced an episode of otitis media by the age of six. While many cases resolve with

Ossicular Chain Diseases and Ossiculoplasties

Ossicular Chain Pathologies Diseases of the middle ear often affect the ossicles leading to bony erosions and discontinuity of the ossicular chain. Congenital ossicular chain abnormalities are usually a result of abnormal embryological development of

Old Age Hearing Loss

Why and when do people get age-related hearing loss? People can start developing age-related hearing loss at a wide range of ages. Initially, the hearing loss is very mild and not perceptible. It affects both

Low-Frequency and High-Frequency Hearing Loss

According to the Singapore Ministry of Health, the rate of hearing loss among adults aged 18–74 has increased from 1.3% in 2013 to 9.2% in 2023. This increase has created a heightened concern about the

Labyrinthitis and Hearing Loss: Is There a Connection?

Labyrinthitis can adversely affect an individual’s auditory health. When the inner ear structures are inflamed, severe complications may develop, such as irreversible hearing loss and balance disturbances. While labyrinthitis can affect anyone, it is more

Hearing Loss: Empower your patients to hear!

Hearing impairment is a silent disease. It is often neglected, but its effects can be crippling. It isolates its victims and makes them socially or economically less productive. Approximately 360,0001 persons in Singapore suffer from

Hearing Loss and Hearing Aids

What is a Common Problem of the Youth? The local youth, by and large, have good hearing. However, they often do not pay attention to good hearing habits and hygiene. They tend to take their

Healthy Hearing Habits

Question I am a 59-year-old man. What is the recommended listening volume and duration for headphones or earphones? Can listening to music through headphones at too low a volume damage our hearing? Also, are there

Can Earwax Cause Hearing Loss?

Earwax, a natural substance produced by glands in the ear canal, plays a vital role in ear health. It traps dust, bacteria, and other debris that could otherwise irritate the ear or lead to infection.

Sleep Apnea

Idiopathic Central Sleep Apnea

Idiopathic central sleep apnea is central sleep apnea in which the brain temporarily stops sending signals to breathe due to low CO2 levels, or the ‘apneic threshold’.

Central Sleep Apnea vs Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Central sleep apnea vs obstructive sleep apnea differ in their causes and treatments. Dr Barrie Tan in Singapore diagnoses both with sleep studies & offers CPAP or surgery.

Snoring

The Link Between Deviated Nasal Septum and Snoring

Snoring is often dismissed as a harmless nuisance, but in some cases, it can indicate an underlying nasal condition, such as a deviated nasal septum. A deviated nasal septum can impair airflow, forcing mouth breathing