ACENT’s Blog

Charging Ahead on Hearing Aid Technology

Posted on February 5, 2017 by Stefan Harris, BC-HIS

Technology has driven many improvements in hearing aids, and our Anchorage, Alaska patients are always quick to take advantage of them — from fully automatic functionality to streaming services from smartphones. Yet one thing has remained constant through all these advancements over the years: battery consumption. On average, batteries have to be changed in hearing devices every week. Some last less and others more, depending on the battery size and power of the device. And with the additional need for streaming phone calls and audio to rely on them, batteries drain even faster. I’m always carrying replacement batteries in my pocket! … Continue reading »

What Is a VNG Test?

Posted on January 23, 2017 by Stefan Harris, BC-HIS

A videonystagmography, or VNG, is a procedure to evaluate dizziness and more accurately determine if the inner ear is causing it. This procedure typically requires a referral by an ear, nose and throat specialist (i.e., ENT, otolaryngologist) such as our Anchorage physicians, or a neurologist or physical therapist. You’ll also need to have a hearing evaluation prior to the procedure. During the procedure, the patient will wear a pair of virtual reality-like goggles with cameras to measure eye movements. These eye movements are called nystagmus, and they are related to the inner ear. The results also provide specificity of which … Continue reading »

Affordable Hearing Aids: Our Gift to You

Posted on November 21, 2016 by Stefan Harris, BC-HIS

The turkey’s in the oven, and all the family’s in the house. It’s that time of year, and the spirit of the season is everywhere. We’re getting in the spirit, too, with a fabulous promotion that will improve your quality of life through better hearing — so you can better enjoy these special gatherings with friends and family! When we at the Alaska Center for Ear, Nose, and Throat think about hearing aid options for our Anchorage patients, we often recommend ReSound. As a manufacturer of smart hearing devices, Resound mimics the way the ear naturally processes sound, allowing for … Continue reading »

Skin Care Changes With the Seasons

Posted on October 25, 2016 by Audra McKellar

The midnight sun is no longer with us. Days are getting shorter, the air is crisper, and pumpkin spice lattes have returned. While we transition to fall by breaking out our sweaters and jackets, it’s also a great time to transition our skin care needs. It’s the best time to reverse sun damage. Fall is a great time to address any darker pigmentation that has developed during the summer months. Sun exposure is the leading factor for hyperpigmentation, and even with sunscreen, melasma and hyperpigmentation can emerge. At FACES, our medical spa in Anchorage, we offer treatments and products to … Continue reading »

Understanding Hearing Loss: Types, Causes & Treatment

Posted on August 25, 2016 by Stefan Harris, BC-HIS

Hearing loss is unique to each individual that arrives at our ENT office. While hearing aids are often the answer for our Anchorage, Alaska patients, audiometric evaluations are the first step. The gold standard in determining a men’s hair loss, audiometric evaluations also help us decide on a to address the patient’s symptoms. Each diagnostic test provides information to complete the full picture of a patient’s type and severity of hearing loss. The results of each test will reveal one of three types of hearing loss, each with different symptoms and treatment plans. Conductive Hearing Loss A conductive hearing loss is … Continue reading »

Meet Our Physicians

Each of our physicians is board certified in Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery; in addition, Dr. Ellerbe is board certified in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.