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Derek Erickson, M.S. CCC-A
Providing a Full Line of Audiological Services
Derek Erickson, M.S. CCC-A is a certified Audiologist with Bay Area ENT located in Ocean Springs. He is an Ocean Springs native who received his Masters Degree in Audiology from the University of Southern Mississippi and is currently working towards his Doctor of Audiology degree from Pennsylvania College of Optometry and Audiology.
A full line of Audiological services are provided at Bay Area ENT, including diagnostic testing, digital hearing aid fitting, hearing aid repair, hearing conservation, auditory rehabilitation, and speech mapping which allows us to more accurately fit hearing aids to a specific hearing loss. Along with providing an extensive line of Audiological services, we have an excellent group of Ear, Nose, and Throat physicians available who offer the most advanced procedures available, including the new Sinuplasty procedure.
Most Recently Answered Questions
Questions 1 - 15 of 15 (Page 1 of 1)Submitted by Opal from Woolmarket
Q: Every time I get a check up, I am told I have a huge wax build-up deep in my ear canal, yet no one ever suggests the best and safest ways to get rid of it. The wax is too deep for a flush or an OTC wax remover. I am told that I produce alot of wax and always will. My ears itch all the time and I can't hear well anymore. Isn't there some way I can take care of my ears myself? I am trying not to succumb to my urge to use a bobby pin! I can't afford to go to the doctor every time I have a wax build-up. Please help!
Answered 06/10/08 12:31:10 by Derek Erickson
A: Opal, Over-The-Counter ear wax removal systems are typically a safe alternative for the management of excessive ear wax if there is no chronic ear disease or a perforation (hole) present in the ear drum. For more of a preventative plan, using sweet oil, three-to-four drops per ear three times a week, can soften the ear wax which will assist the ear’s natural abilities for the removal of wax and debris from the ear canal. If the excessive build of up the ear wax persist, consult your physician. Nothing should ever be inserted into the ear canal because of the high risk of further impacting the ear wax or lacerating the ear canal leading to infections which is common with the use of bobby pins and Q-Tips. Ear candling, which has not been shown to be an effective method of removing ear wax, is also NOT recommended. Some patients who have used Ear Candles have had hot wax drip onto the ear drum and some have had external burns due to hair sprays. Please consult your physician or Audiologist before implementing any ear wax removal plan to ensure there are no contraindications.Submitted by Jayna from Long Beach
Q: Do you accept Tricare Standard or do you know if Tricare will pay for your services. I know I have a hearing problem but probably can not afford a hearing aid.
Answered 05/05/08 09:10:54 by Derek Erickson
A: We do not accept Tricare Standard and I am not sure who does. The only other option available is that if you are employed you could apply for services through Vocational Rehabilitation. Your eligibility would depend on your employment status, degree of hearing loss, and finances.Submitted by janella from ocean springs
Q: mr. Eric, my daughter is 5 and speaks like she has a thick brooklyn accent. For example tho pronounce the word bird it sounds more like she's saying bord! Could this be a problem with her hearing?
Answered 05/05/08 08:59:18 by Derek Erickson
A: There is always the posibility of permanent hearing loss in a child with speech delays but it is not the most common diagnosis for that population. It is more common for children with speech delays to suffer from occasional middle ear infections which will cause periodic temporary hearing loss. It is important for children with speech delays to have a medical and audiological evaluation in order to determine if any medical or amplification options should be considered.Submitted by John from LongBeach, MS
Q: I have an "acoustic neuroma" that has grown large enough to completely shut down the hearing in my right ear. One doctor said the nerve damage was irreversable, but another said that nerves sometimes rejuvenate. I have had stereotactic radiation (6 months ago). Should I be optimistic or just give up on any hearing return?
Answered 04/16/08 08:55:04 by Derek Erickson
A: An Acoustic Neuroma, also referred to as a Vestibular Schwannoma, is a benign slow growing tumor located on the Eigth Cranial Nerve, which is the nerve responsible for the transmision of the auditory and balance signals from the inner ear to the brain. The nerve runs through a narrow passage of bone called the Internal Audiory Canal and this area of bone is what the Neuroma typically presses against essentially pinching off the nerve. The most common symptoms of an Acoustic Neuroma are hearing loss in one ear, tinnitus or ringing in the ear, fullness sensation, and loss of balance. Unfortunately, Acoustic Neuromas cause permanent neuralogial hearing loss. I would recommend that you have the hearing loss closely monitored by an Audiologist to determine if there are any alternatives available to you.Submitted by Tonya from Ocean springs
Q: Hey I have a son which is going to be turning 2 in a few months and he has had about 8 ear infections total, well I really would rather just get tubes put in his ears because I dont want him to get a resistance to antibotics. How would I go about doing that and do you think that would be a good idea? Also he always pulls at his right ear even if he dont have a ear infection, im not sure why he dose it but he has been doing it since he was like 6 months old. Do you have any idea why he dose that? He also has alot of waxy fluid that drains out his ears. Im not sure if you remember me but I think you use to be friends with my older sister denise and her friends tiffany and chris, this was along time ago before you were in college.
Answered 02/14/08 14:08:32 by Derek Erickson
A: I would recommend that you take your son to take an Ear Nose and Throat physician with this issue.Submitted by Anonymous from Biloxi, MS
Q: Is it true that piercing the middle part of your ear, closest your jaw bone, can damage your hearing?
Answered 02/07/08 16:48:31 by Derek Erickson
A: As long as the piercing does not cause any infection or obstruction of the ear canal, there shouldn't be any concern about hearing loss. If a decrease in hearing is noticed following the piercing, please schedule an appointment immediately.Submitted by concerned from biloxi, ms
Q: Derek, I have been using an ear piece and a blue tooth ear piece for a few months now; i try to alternate my ears and keep the volume level low so as not to stress my ear. However, i find that my ears are seemingly more sensitive to sound on the days that i use the pieces more...is there any correlation that can indicate that using these devices can cause ear/hearing damage?
Answered 02/07/08 16:41:41 by Derek Erickson
A: As long as the volume of the ear piece and the blue tooth ear piece are set at a reasonabley low volume, than there should be no concern about hearing loss. A good rule of thumb for the volume of any ear piece is to set it to the approximate level of normal conversational speech. Much of the discomfort you are experiencing may be associated with a poor fitting ear piece and you may want to consider investing in a customized version.Submitted by Anonymous from Perkinston, MS 39573
Q: Dr. Erickson, My husband is deaf in his left ear since childhood. He was examined almost 20 years ago by Dr. John Shea in Memphis, TN. He seriously needs hearing aid help. He has nerve deafness and has a very low level of hearing left in his right ear. Please advise if there is anything other than surgery that can be done? He once had a hearing aid but that was 15 years ago and I am sure that technology has huge new advancements since that time in the hearing aids that are available now. He says nothing can be done. But our family could greatly benefit from his seeking help. Thanks so much in advance from Perkinston, MS
Answered 01/03/08 22:02:08 by Derek Erickson
A: Unilateral hearing loss or Single Sided Deafness (SSD) can pose many problems for the individual and family members, as you have discovered over the past years with your husband. Some of the issues affecting these patients would include a loss of ability to localize the source of a sound and a decrease in comprehension of speech in various difficult listening situations. The non-surgical options that would be available to your husband would largely depend on the severity and configuration of the hearing loss presented. Hearing aid technology has greatly improved in the recent years and we are currently able to fit hearing losses that were not treatable ten years ago, but even with this in mind, the two most important details which dictate how well a patient does with amplification is the degree of hearing loss and the motivation of the individual towards the rehabilitation of the hearing loss. If you would like to discuss these options in further detail, please contact me at 228-875-8291.Submitted by Tal Nettles from Grand Bay, Al
Q: I was wondering if Medicare or Tri Care for life will pay to repair or replace hearing aids. My aids were dispensed by Keesler and were damaged by being underwater from Katrina. Just wondering.
Answered 12/14/07 14:33:40 by Derek Erickson
A: Unfortunaley, Medicare and Tricare do not pay for hearing aids or hearing aid repairs. For individuals who are employed or seeking employment, Vocational Rehabilitation offers services that assist people in covering the expenses of hearing aids. The first step in that process would be a hearing evaluation to determine if you are a candidate for hearing aids according to the criteria set by Vocational Rehabilitation, and if you are eligible for assistence, we will help you through the process of obtaining hearing aids which are suitable for your specific hearing loss. If you have any other questions regarding you hearing, please contact me at my Ocean Springs office 228-875-8291.Submitted by Laura from Biloxi, Ms
Q: Hi Dereck, I was wondering if its possible to determine if a baby will be deaf while its still in-utero? My husband's family has like 5 deaf individuals in it (my husband swears its not genetic, and i try to tell him that if its not then how can he explain the odity of 5 members of one family being deaf?) is deafness hereditary? if so, what are the odds that our child can be deaf? Two of his aunts, one uncle and two of the their children and one great aunt are deaf, his siblings and parents are fine.
Answered 10/15/07 17:39:00 by Derek Erickson
A: Laura, It cannot be determined if your child has hearing loss while in-utero, although a hearing screening will be administered at the hospital following the birth. If your child fails the hearing screening, then he/she will be referred to an Audiologist for further evaluation. In regards to your other question, there is a definite genetic link to hearing loss and I would recommend that you and your husband consult with a genetic counselor to determine the probability of hearing loss for your child. Genetics not only dictates whether you will have a congenital hearing loss, but will also determine how susceptible your auditory system is to hearing loss as a result of noise exposure and other external sources. With this in mind, even though a family history of hearing loss is present through your husband's family, this does not necessarily mean that your new baby will have hearing loss as well. There is a stronger probability that his/her hearing will be well within normal limits and adequate for normal development. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact me at my office (228-875-8291). Derek F Erickson, M.S. CCC-ASubmitted by Anonymous from ocean springs ms
Q: Hi, Twice in the last few years I've gotten dizzy for no apparent reason...and stayed that way for about 4 months each time.The first time was about a week after receiving a flu shot.My physican checked me out and said that she saw no reason for the dizziness...I went to an ear dr. and he asked me if I had any problems with my hearing...I did not at that time...(I was sooo dizzy I really had to work at walking straight)....now months later I'm not dizzy at the moment but I've noticed that my hearing in my left ear isn't as good as it used to be....what, if anything, should or can be done? Can I regain my normal hearing level? Thanks! Trisha
Answered 07/24/07 16:26:52 by Derek Erickson
A: Trisha, There are many different medical conditions which have similar symptoms as those that you are experiencing. With a decrease of hearing in one ear and your past episodes of dizziness, it is extremely important that you be seen by an Audiologist and an ENT physician as soon as possible. Only after I look at your hearing can it be determined if your hearing loss is reversible. Please call my office as soon as you can to set up an appointment and please feel free to call if you have any further questions. Derek Erickson, M.S. CCC-ASubmitted by Sandy from Biloxi
Q: Why when I have a sore throat does my ear hurt instead of my throat hurting? Is there anything I can take for this?
Answered 07/09/07 12:25:13 by Derek Erickson
A: Sandy, These symptoms would be better treated through your primary care physician or an ENT. Derek F Erickson M.S. CCC-ASubmitted by Brandon from Biloxi, MS
Q: Hi there. At random times, I will all of a sudden hear a high pitched tone for just a few seconds at a time. What could this be a symptom of, if anything?
Answered 06/08/07 12:55:45 by Derek Erickson
A: Brandon, The high pitched tone you experience periodically is called tinnitus and is often associated with hearing loss, although not every tinnitus patient has hearing loss and vice versa. Other causes of ringing in the ears may be various medications, high blood pressure, impacted ear wax, and cardiovascular diseases. In the vast majority of the tinnitus cases seen though, there is some underlying hearing loss present and the tinnitus remains untreated. Derek Erickson, M.S. CCC-ASubmitted by samantha from miami, Fl
Q: My 5 year old has frequent ear infections, im concerned that his hearing might have been affected as a result because i find myself repeating things very often to him. Is it possible to have hearing loss from repeated ear infections, or is he just being a typical non-caring 5 year-old?
Answered 05/10/07 20:24:44 by Derek Erickson
A: Samantha, The majority of children who experience frequent ear infections are not affected by any residual hearing loss and would easily fall into the category of a "typical non-caring 5 year-old". But if the ear infections go untreated, it is possible that he could develop a permanent Conductive hearing loss or the ear infections could cause other medical problems if the infection is obsorbed into the Mastoid bone. The best way to avoid any medical complications, including permanent hearing loss, is to monitor his ear infection through his Pediatrician or an Ear Nose and Throat Physician. It is equally important to have his hearing evaluated by an Audiologist in your area to obtain his hearing thresholds.Submitted by Bianca from Biloxi, Ms
Q: Dr. Erickson, I find myself experiencing sensibility to sound randomly, for example, today i am ok listening to the tv lets say at 15, but tom at 15 it sort of hurts my ear, with a sensation of pressure and i have to lower it all the way down to an 8 or 10 at most. This is just one situation in which i experience this. My question is, Is this normal or could this be a sign of something more serious?
Answered 04/26/07 13:37:45 by Derek Erickson
A: Bianca, Hyperacousis, or the sensitvity to certain sounds, is not uncommon and may be related to some possible sensorineural hearing loss. My recommendation would be to have your hearing evaluated in order to help determine the cause of your sound sensitivity.