Otolaryngology

OTC hearing aids: When convenience isn't enough for hearing loss

Over-the-counter hearing aids offer accessibility but fall short for complex hearing loss, requiring careful patient counselling on their limitations.

Does treating hearing loss actually slow cognitive decline?

Addressing hearing loss with hearing aids or cochlear implants may reduce cognitive decline in older adults at higher risk.

Otitis media: Can shorter antibiotic courses truly deliver?

Shorter antibiotic courses for acute otitis media aim to reduce resistance, but their efficacy often falls short in specific patient populations, raising questions about optimal treatment duration.

Tympanostomy tube referrals: Why thresholds vary more than the evidence does

Referral criteria for tympanostomy tube insertion in children with recurrent acute otitis media or otitis media with effusion show significant variability across guidelines, despite a largely consistent evidence base. This disparity can lead to inconsistent...

Watchful Waiting in AOM: Which Children Can Safely Wait?

Watchful waiting is a safe strategy for acute otitis media in specific pediatric populations, reducing antibiotic exposure without increasing complications.

Why benign paroxysmal positional vertigo remains undertreated despite quick fixes

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a common cause of dizziness, yet its effective, rapid treatments are frequently underutilised in clinical practice.

Vestibular rehabilitation: Which protocols deliver lasting relief?

Vestibular rehabilitation protocols vary widely, but specific approaches focusing on adaptation, habituation, and substitution are critical for durable patient benefit.

Why recurrent vertigo often goes undiagnosed, despite clear patterns

Recurrent spontaneous vertigo, a common and debilitating condition, frequently eludes accurate diagnosis, leading to prolonged patient suffering.

Why do children with sinusitis keep getting unnecessary antibiotics?

Children with upper respiratory tract infections are 1.3 times more likely to receive antibiotics than adults, despite viral origins.