DeFatta ENT & Allergy and Hearing Aid Experts

DeFatta ENT & Allergy and Hearing Aid Experts We’re proud to serve all ear, nose, throat & allergy medical & surgical needs of the Chippewa Valley!

Dr. Robert Defatta and his staff are proud to serve all ear, nose, throat–medical and surgical–needs of the Chippewa Valley and surrounding communities. Dr. Robert Defatta and all of our physicians are Board Certified Otolaryngologists and hold the highest qualifications in their respective sub-specialties as the only Board Certified Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, the only Fellow of American Head and Neck Society, and the only Fellowship trained Laryngologist in the Chippewa Valley. In addition, our audiologists are certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association as well as fellows of the American Academy of Audiology. Backed by these nationally recognized credentials, you can feel confident that you’ll receive the most up to date and cutting edge care right at home.

What actually happens during a sleep study, because mystery shouldn’t be part of your bedtime routine.A sleep study (als...
03/09/2026

What actually happens during a sleep study, because mystery shouldn’t be part of your bedtime routine.

A sleep study (also called a polysomnogram) is a non-invasive test that helps us understand what’s really happening while you sleep. It’s not just about how long you rest it’s about how your body functions overnight.

During your study, small sensors are gently placed to monitor things like your breathing, oxygen levels, heart rate, brain activity, and movement. You’ll rest in a comfortable, private room while trained technicians collect detailed data on your sleep stages and patterns. The goal isn’t to watch you sleep, it’s to uncover issues like sleep apnea or other disruptions that could be affecting your energy, focus, and long-term health.

Most people are surprised by how easy and painless the experience is. And for many, it’s the first step toward finally getting answers and better rest.
This National Sleep Awareness Month, remember: better sleep isn’t a luxury. It’s healthcare.

Happy Birthday, Brandi! 🎉As our HR leader for DeFatta ENT and the River Prairie Wellness Center entities, thank you for ...
03/08/2026

Happy Birthday, Brandi! 🎉

As our HR leader for DeFatta ENT and the River Prairie Wellness Center entities, thank you for supporting our entire team. Your leadership and dedication make such a difference behind the scenes.

Celebrating Cherish today! 🎂As our surgery scheduler, she keeps everything moving seamlessly, and we’re lucky to have he...
03/07/2026

Celebrating Cherish today! 🎂

As our surgery scheduler, she keeps everything moving seamlessly, and we’re lucky to have her skill and dedication on our team. Please wish Cherish a Happy Birthday.

Happy Employee Appreciation Day to the incredible team at DeFatta ENT & Hearing Aid Experts. From our providers, MA’s, a...
03/06/2026

Happy Employee Appreciation Day to the incredible team at DeFatta ENT & Hearing Aid Experts.

From our providers, MA’s, and nurses to our Audiology and business administration team, every person plays an important role in the care we provide our patients each day. Thank you for the dedication, compassion, and expertise you bring to our clinic.

Ashley is at the Eau Claire Farm Show today representing DeFatta Hearing Aid Experts 👋She’s here with hearing technology...
03/04/2026

Ashley is at the Eau Claire Farm Show today representing DeFatta Hearing Aid Experts 👋

She’s here with hearing technology from Widex, Signia, and ReSound, answering questions and helping people learn more about their options.

And a reminder for anyone still looking for a place to establish care after Prevea closed a few years ago, we work with many hearing aid manufacturers, not just one.

If you already have hearing aids and aren’t sure where to go for adjustments, maintenance, or ongoing care, we’re here to help.

Stop by and say hi if you’re at the show today!

Not all hearing aids use the same power and knowing the difference matters.Most hearing aids today are rechargeable, whi...
03/04/2026

Not all hearing aids use the same power and knowing the difference matters.

Most hearing aids today are rechargeable, while some still use replaceable batteries. It’s important to know which type you have, since rechargeable batteries are sealed inside the device. Trying to open or remove them can damage the hearing aid.

For replaceable-battery hearing aids:

• Open the battery door when not in use—this turns the device off and helps preserve battery life.

• After peeling the sticker off a new battery, let it sit for a few minutes to oxygenate before inserting it. This can significantly extend battery life.

• Store batteries in a cool, dry place. Heat and humidity shorten lifespan.

• Use Bluetooth streaming mindfully—long streaming sessions use more power and can shorten battery life.

For rechargeable hearing aids:

• Avoid heat and humidity, just like battery-powered devices.

• Keep track of your warranty and take advantage of end-of-warranty repairs to help keep your devices working their best for as long as possible.

A little power knowledge goes a long way in protecting your hearing aids—and getting the most out of them every day.

These aren’t just quirks, they’re signals that your voice may not be functioning the way it should. When hoarseness, str...
03/02/2026

These aren’t just quirks, they’re signals that your voice may not be functioning the way it should. When hoarseness, strain, or irritation become part of your “normal,” it often points to underlying inflammation, reflux, vocal cord tension, or structural changes that don’t resolve on their own.

Over time, untreated voice issues can worsen, making speaking more effortful and recovery harder.

Your voice is how you connect, work, advocate, and express yourself. When it starts changing, it’s communicating something important. Listening early can prevent long-term damage and help you feel like yourself again.

Schedule an evaluation and get real answers.

When it comes to your voice and swallowing health, hydration matters more than volume.It’s not just about how much you d...
02/27/2026

When it comes to your voice and swallowing health, hydration matters more than volume.

It’s not just about how much you drink it’s about keeping the tissues in your throat and vocal cords properly lubricated. Dry vocal cords are more prone to strain, irritation, and fatigue, while a dry throat can make swallowing feel uncomfortable or effortful.

Water helps your voice move smoothly and your swallow stay efficient. Without it, even everyday talking or eating can feel harder than it should. If you’re experiencing hoarseness, throat tightness, or frequent throat clearing, dehydration may be playing a bigger role than you realize

Hearing aids today are designed to do a lot of the work for you.Most modern hearing aids automatically adjust to your en...
02/25/2026

Hearing aids today are designed to do a lot of the work for you.

Most modern hearing aids automatically adjust to your environment — whether you’re at home, out to dinner, or enjoying time outside. Many patients simply put them in and go, without needing to change a thing.

That said, hearing aids can be programmed with different listening modes like Normal, Restaurant, Outdoor, or Music. These settings fine-tune sound for specific environments and are fully customized to your hearing needs and lifestyle; they’re never one-size-fits-all.

Some patients use just their everyday Normal program almost all the time, while others like having the option to switch programs depending on where they are.

If you do want to change programs, it’s easy and can be done in a way that fits your comfort level:
• Directly on the hearing aid with a short or long press
• Through a smartphone app with a simple tap or swipe
• With a remote control accessory for those who prefer not to use a smartphone

Each program is designed to enhance listening in specific situations. For example, Restaurant mode reduces background noise (without eliminating it entirely) and focuses on speech in front of you using directional microphones. Outdoor mode increases wind-noise reduction, while Music programs preserve sound quality. Tinnitus features can also be added when needed for extra relief.

There are also different levels of hearing aid technology available, and we help guide you toward the option that best supports your lifestyle and the listening environments you’re in most often.

Our goal is for your everyday program to work well the majority of the time, but when life gets noisy, having the right technology and the right support can make all the difference.

We celebrated Dr. Robert the day after his birthday 🎂Thank you to everyone who shared birthday wishes with him two weeks...
02/23/2026

We celebrated Dr. Robert the day after his birthday 🎂

Thank you to everyone who shared birthday wishes with him two weeks ago. He sincerely appreciated all of the kind messages and comments.

Here he is with the cake the clinic surprised him with. We are grateful for his leadership and dedication to our patients and team.

Parents often notice that kids seem to recover quickly from sinus infections, while adults can feel congested or run-dow...
02/23/2026

Parents often notice that kids seem to recover quickly from sinus infections, while adults can feel congested or run-down for weeks. There’s a reason for that.

Children’s sinus anatomy is still developing, which means their sinuses are smaller and drain differently than adults’. Their immune systems also tend to respond quickly to infections, helping inflammation resolve faster once the illness passes.

Adults, on the other hand, have fully developed sinus cavities that are more prone to prolonged inflammation, thicker mucus, and drainage issues, especially if allergies, prior infections, or structural differences are involved.

This is why lingering sinus pressure or congestion in adults isn’t uncommon, even after the infection itself has improved.

At DeFatta ENT, we help patients understand what’s normal, what just needs time, and when lingering symptoms may need further evaluation.

Because recovery doesn’t look the same at every age and that’s okay.

We all expect our voice to sound rough when we’re sick. That part is normal.What isn’t normal? When the hoarseness never...
02/20/2026

We all expect our voice to sound rough when we’re sick. That part is normal.

What isn’t normal?

When the hoarseness never fully goes away.

When your voice cracks, fades, or feels strained weeks later.

When it stops sounding like you.

Persistent voice changes can be a sign of irritation, inflammation, nodules, reflux, or other vocal cord issues, and an ENT can help you find the cause.

Your voice is how people know you. You deserve to have it back.

Address

1490 Rivers Edge Trail
Altoona, WI
54720

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 4:30pm

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