Dear Dr. Gott: I am 87 years old, and I might be experiencing hearing problems. I am otherwise in good health. What options do I have to correct it or make myself more comfortable with this particular problem?

Reply> First see your primary-care physician for an exam to rule out ear wax as a cause for your hearing problem. If wax is not the culprit, you need a hearing test and consultation with an ear-nose-and-throat specialist to define what is going on.Although advancing age is commonly associated with some degree of deafness, medical attention would be an appropriate next step to determine whether your problem is reversible or, if not, whether you are in need of hearing aids.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my newly updated Health Report “Ear Infections and Disorders”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a long, self-addressed, stamped envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, Ohio 44092. Be sure to mention the title.Dear Dr. Got$> Please review the many ways that excess alcohol consumption can affect the body. My husband drinks more than six ounces of whiskey a day, despite having had a stroke that left him with vision loss, bladder weakness and muscle weakness, not to mention his aggressive behaviour when he is under the influence.

Rep<$> Excessive alcohol consumption is known to affect most of the body’s organs.Brain: Confusion, poor cognitive skills, bad balance and other consequen.

Heart: Hypertension, heart failure, weakness of the cardiac muscles and circulatory system.

Lungs: Shortness of breath, exercise intolerance, chronic ch.

Liver: Inflammation, fatty liver, cirrhosis (scarring), eventual hepatic failure.

Kidneys: Eventual malfunon.

Musclo-skeletal system: <$>Visual difficulties, weakness, poor reflexes, weak muscles, bladder spasm.

Panas: <$>Chronic inflammation, poor digestion, possible diabetes.

Intestine: Malnutrition, peptic ulcer, reflux, chronic constipation or diarrhoea.

And this is far from being a complete list. I suspect that some of your husband’s problems are related to his stroke. Still, he certainly would be better off moderating his alcohol intake. How much? Two two-ounce drinks a day, maximum.

I conclude that he is an alcoholic who has difficulty regulating his use of whiskey.

In this instance, he should see his doctor, stop drinking alcohol altogether, seek a support group such as Alcoholics Anonymous and address his addiction openly.

I recommend that you seek support as well, whether it is from your physician, a therapist or Al-Anon (support for the families of alcoholics).

I believe this will help you deal with some of the stress you most certainly are experiencing.

To give you related information, I am sending you copies of my Health Reports “Mental and Substance Abuse” and “Stroke”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a long, self-addressed, stamped envelope and $2 for each report to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, Ohio 44092.

Be sure to mention the te(s).Dr. Gott is a retired physician and the author of the new book “Dr. Gott’s No Flour, No Sugar Diet”. Contact him c/o United Media, 200 Madison Avenue, fourth floor, New York, New York 10016.