Have you ever experienced a “ringing in your ears” or “noise in your head”? This sound is referred to as tinnitus. Most people have tinnitus at some point in their lives – for some individuals it occurs very infrequently and for others it may be constant; it can also be in both ears or in only one ear. Approximately 40 million people in the U.S. have tinnitus at the present time. The sound of the tinnitus can also vary among people and has been described as ringing, hissing, buzzing, roaring, pulsing, whoosing, chirping, whistling, or clicking.
What causes tinnitus? Tinnitus is a symptom of a problem so it is important to determine the underlying issue in order to determine how to treat it. It may be a sign of hearing loss or may be caused by excessive exposure to noise, which may be occupational, military, or recreational (hunting, target-shooting, concerts). Certain ear diseases, injury involving damage to the ear, wax in the ear, barometric pressure changes (scuba diving), or circulation changes in the inner ear are other auditory causes of tinnitus. It can also be due to medical problems such as allergies, high or low blood pressure, tumors, diabetes, and thyroid issues. In addition, there are several medications that can cause or worsen tinnitus. Caffeine, nicotine, and stress also tend to aggravate tinnitus.
What should you do if you have tinnitus? You should see your physician to determine the cause of the tinnitus. If it is not caused by a medical problem or a medication, it may have an auditory etiology. An audiological evaluation would therefore be necessary to determine if you have a hearing loss or if there is another auditory cause. Unfortunately, there is no cure for tinnitus at this time but there are options available to help reduce the tinnitus. Hearing aids are an option for individuals who have both hearing loss and tinnitus. Masking devices can be used to make the tinnitus less noticeable. Tinnitus retraining therapy is available to help reduce the brain’s focus on the phantom sound and therefore, provide relief. Certain medications can be used if the cause is related to stress or depression. There are also tinnitus support groups in communities to help people cope with the tinnitus.
Tinnitus can be very distracting and cause difficulty concentrating. It is important to determine the cause of the tinnitus and what options you have to help alleviate it. For more information, please visit the American Speech Language Hearing Association website at www.asha.org or contact a hearing health specialist at Coastal Hearing and Balance Center 732-280-7855; www.coastalhearing.com.
Kristen Olsen is a Doctor of Audiology at Coastal Ear, Nose and Throat in Neptune, NJ, and can be contacted at 732-280-7855; kmolsen@coastalhearing.com; http://www.coastalhearing.com
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Increase in Hearing Loss in Adolescents Courtesy of Coastal Ear, Nose & Throat
During the holiday season, you are probably overwhelmed with determining what gift to get for your teenage family members. How about preserving their hearing? The number of adolescent children with a slight hearing loss has significantly increased in recent years. Even a slight degree of hearing loss can result in more difficulty with understanding speech in a classroom setting.
The Journal of the American Medical Association published an article in August 2010 regarding the prevalence of hearing loss in children age 12-19 years in the United States. The researchers compared data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey regarding the hearing sensitivity of teenagers in the 1988-1994 timeframe to 2005-2006. There was a significant increase in the prevalence of a slight hearing loss in this age group, rising from 14.9% in 1988-1994 to 19.5% in 2005-2006. Hearing loss has become more commonly unilateral (only present in one ear) and tends to primarily affect the high frequencies in teenagers today.
There is speculation that the recent increase in hearing loss in teenagers may related to the increased use of personal music devices by this age group. If you can hear the music coming from someone’s ear buds or headphones, the volume is set too high. Noise cancelling headphones instead of ear buds may be considered to allow for MP3 players and IPODs to be enjoyed at a lower volume setting. Repeated exposure to noise at a dangerously loud level can result in a permanent hearing loss. Portnuff and Fligor (2006) evaluated the safe listening volumes over time for several portable music players. They recommended that the volume may be set at 70% for no more than 4.6 hours of use per day in order to avoid a permanent noise-induced hearing loss. Higher volume levels put children at a higher risk for permanent damage to their hearing – for example, 80% volume setting should not be used for more than 1.2 hours at a time. There are now ways that parents can limit the maximum volume levels on the IPOD to prevent children from listening at a potentially harmful level. Instructions on limiting IPOD volume can be found at: www.ilounge.com/index.php/articles/comments/limiting-your-ipods-maximum-volume. More tips on protecting kids’ hearing can also be found at: www.noisyplanet.nidcd.nih.gov or contact a hearing health specialist at Coastal Hearing and Balance Center 732-280-7855; www.coastalhearing.com.
Remember to enjoy your holiday season and protect your young family members!
Suzanne McCorry is Doctor of Audiology at Coastal Ear, Nose and Throat in Neptune, NJ, and can be contacted at 732-280-7855; sbmccorry@coastalhearing.com; http://www.coastalhearing.com
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Better Speech and Hearing Month
Coastal Hearing & Balance Center Joins Better Hearing and Speech Council in Promoting Across America Hearing Check Challenge during Better Speech and Hearing Month
May 1 marks the start of Better Hearing and Speech Month, a month dedicated to educating consumers about the need to assure that their hearing is healthy. This year, Coastal Hearing & Balance Center is joining the Better Hearing and Speech Council (BHSC) in promoting the Across America Hearing Check Challenge (www.hearingcheck.org)–an online hearing test that lets individuals quickly and confidentially determine if they need a comprehensive hearing check by a hearing professional. Coastal Hearing & Balance Center is urging everyone to rise to the challenge, visit www.hearingcheck.org, and walk through a simple, 15-question self-screener in the privacy of their own homes.
“We know that unaddressed hearing loss seriously undercuts a person’s quality of life and has a tremendous impact on relationships,” says Suzanne McCorry, a hearing health professional in Neptune, NJ. “We see it every day in our practice and hear it from our patients and their concerned family members and friends.
“We also know that too many people wait years, even decades, before getting treatment—either unaware of the extent of their hearing loss or too afraid to confront it—losing out on so much. That’s why Coastal Hearing & Balance Center is so excited about this updated, simple, and interactive screening check that couples, families, and anyone else can use in the comfort and privacy of their own homes. By visiting www.hearingcheck.org, members of our community can take the first, most critical step in reclaiming their hearing—and their quality of life. And when they’re ready to take that next step—and get a professional assessment—we’re here and ready to help.”
The signs of hearing loss can be subtle and emerge slowly, or they can be significant and come on suddenly. Either way, there are common indications. Symptoms of hearing loss include not being able to hear well in a crowded room or restaurant, having trouble hearing children and women, keeping the television or radio turned up to a high volume, needing to ask friends to repeat what they're saying, or experiencing ringing in the ears.
“Research shows that hearing health affects everything from job performance and income to personal relationships,” says Sergei Kochkin, PhD, executive director of the Better Hearing Institute and a leading member of the BHSC. “Increasingly, research shows a correlation between hearing loss and other chronic medical conditions including diabetes, heart disease, chronic kidney disease, and Alzheimer’s.”
During Better Hearing and Speech Month, Coastal Hearing & Balance Center also is warning people of the financial dangers of leaving hearing loss unaddressed. People with untreated hearing loss lose as much as $30,000 in income annually, depending on their degree of hearing loss. The cost to society is estimated at $26 billion each year in unrealized federal taxes. To those with unaided hearing loss, the yearly cost is estimated at $176 billion. However, in a recent BHI study, the use of hearing aids was shown to reduce the risk of income loss by 90 to 100 percent for those with milder hearing loss, and from 65 to 77 percent for those with severe to moderate hearing loss. What’s more, hearing aid use was shown to reduce unemployment among hearing aid users.
“Most people don’t have to suffer the consequences of unaddressed hearing loss,” says Dr. McCorry. “Hearing loss can be easily diagnosed, and there are modern-day solutions that can help people hear better. Simply by getting their hearing checked and addressing their hearing loss, people in our community can reclaim their quality of life. We hope that many in our community will visit www.hearingcheck.org as well as www.coastalearnoseandthroat.com during Better Hearing and Speech Month.”
More About Hearing Loss and Hearing Aids
Numerous studies have linked untreated hearing loss to a wide range of physical and emotional conditions, including impaired memory and ability to learn new tasks, reduced alertness, and increased risk to personal safety, irritability, negativism, anger, fatigue, tension, stress, depression, and diminished psychological and overall health. But nine out of ten hearing aid users report improvements in their quality of life.
Advances in digital technology have dramatically improved hearing aids in recent years, making them smaller with better sound quality. Designs are modern, sleek, and discreet. Clarity, greater directionality, better speech audibility in a variety of environments, better cell phone compatibility, less whistling and feedback then hearing aids of the past, and greater ruggedness for active lifestyles are common features.
Suzanne McCorry is a Dr. of Audiology at Coastal Hearing and Balance Center in Neptune, NJ, and can be contacted 732-280-7855; sbmccorry@coastalhearing.com; www.coastalhearing.com
The Better Hearing and Speech Council is a coalition of national and local organizations dedicated to promoting high quality hearing health and hearing healthcare for all residents of the United States. For more information, visit www.BHScouncil.org
May 1 marks the start of Better Hearing and Speech Month, a month dedicated to educating consumers about the need to assure that their hearing is healthy. This year, Coastal Hearing & Balance Center is joining the Better Hearing and Speech Council (BHSC) in promoting the Across America Hearing Check Challenge (www.hearingcheck.org)–an online hearing test that lets individuals quickly and confidentially determine if they need a comprehensive hearing check by a hearing professional. Coastal Hearing & Balance Center is urging everyone to rise to the challenge, visit www.hearingcheck.org, and walk through a simple, 15-question self-screener in the privacy of their own homes.
“We know that unaddressed hearing loss seriously undercuts a person’s quality of life and has a tremendous impact on relationships,” says Suzanne McCorry, a hearing health professional in Neptune, NJ. “We see it every day in our practice and hear it from our patients and their concerned family members and friends.
“We also know that too many people wait years, even decades, before getting treatment—either unaware of the extent of their hearing loss or too afraid to confront it—losing out on so much. That’s why Coastal Hearing & Balance Center is so excited about this updated, simple, and interactive screening check that couples, families, and anyone else can use in the comfort and privacy of their own homes. By visiting www.hearingcheck.org, members of our community can take the first, most critical step in reclaiming their hearing—and their quality of life. And when they’re ready to take that next step—and get a professional assessment—we’re here and ready to help.”
The signs of hearing loss can be subtle and emerge slowly, or they can be significant and come on suddenly. Either way, there are common indications. Symptoms of hearing loss include not being able to hear well in a crowded room or restaurant, having trouble hearing children and women, keeping the television or radio turned up to a high volume, needing to ask friends to repeat what they're saying, or experiencing ringing in the ears.
“Research shows that hearing health affects everything from job performance and income to personal relationships,” says Sergei Kochkin, PhD, executive director of the Better Hearing Institute and a leading member of the BHSC. “Increasingly, research shows a correlation between hearing loss and other chronic medical conditions including diabetes, heart disease, chronic kidney disease, and Alzheimer’s.”
During Better Hearing and Speech Month, Coastal Hearing & Balance Center also is warning people of the financial dangers of leaving hearing loss unaddressed. People with untreated hearing loss lose as much as $30,000 in income annually, depending on their degree of hearing loss. The cost to society is estimated at $26 billion each year in unrealized federal taxes. To those with unaided hearing loss, the yearly cost is estimated at $176 billion. However, in a recent BHI study, the use of hearing aids was shown to reduce the risk of income loss by 90 to 100 percent for those with milder hearing loss, and from 65 to 77 percent for those with severe to moderate hearing loss. What’s more, hearing aid use was shown to reduce unemployment among hearing aid users.
“Most people don’t have to suffer the consequences of unaddressed hearing loss,” says Dr. McCorry. “Hearing loss can be easily diagnosed, and there are modern-day solutions that can help people hear better. Simply by getting their hearing checked and addressing their hearing loss, people in our community can reclaim their quality of life. We hope that many in our community will visit www.hearingcheck.org as well as www.coastalearnoseandthroat.com during Better Hearing and Speech Month.”
More About Hearing Loss and Hearing Aids
Numerous studies have linked untreated hearing loss to a wide range of physical and emotional conditions, including impaired memory and ability to learn new tasks, reduced alertness, and increased risk to personal safety, irritability, negativism, anger, fatigue, tension, stress, depression, and diminished psychological and overall health. But nine out of ten hearing aid users report improvements in their quality of life.
Advances in digital technology have dramatically improved hearing aids in recent years, making them smaller with better sound quality. Designs are modern, sleek, and discreet. Clarity, greater directionality, better speech audibility in a variety of environments, better cell phone compatibility, less whistling and feedback then hearing aids of the past, and greater ruggedness for active lifestyles are common features.
Suzanne McCorry is a Dr. of Audiology at Coastal Hearing and Balance Center in Neptune, NJ, and can be contacted 732-280-7855; sbmccorry@coastalhearing.com; www.coastalhearing.com
The Better Hearing and Speech Council is a coalition of national and local organizations dedicated to promoting high quality hearing health and hearing healthcare for all residents of the United States. For more information, visit www.BHScouncil.org
Friday, April 22, 2011
National Better Speech and Hearing
Millions of Americans of all ages and from all walks of life suffer from some degree of hearing loss. Early detection can save valuable treatment time and enhance language development for babies and young children. Early testing can also help prevent a child’s hearing impairment from being mislabeled later as a learning disorder.
For teenagers and young adults, identification of a hearing problem can improve academic performance and social interaction.
For adults and the elderly, a proper hearing evaluation can increase confidence in communication with friends, family and colleagues.
If you notice signs of hearing loss, make an appointment to see an audiologist at Coastal Hearing and Balance Center (732-280-7855). A simple hearing test can determine the type and severity of hearing loss you may have.
Please visit our website at www.coastalhearing.com for more information on healthy hearing.
# # #
Suzanne McCorry is Director of Audiology at Coastal Ear, Nose and Throat in Neptune, NJ and can be contacted at 732-280-7855; sbmccorry@coastalhearing.com; http://www.coastalhearing.com
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Medical Billing Office Manager Position Available
Our practice is rapidly expanding and we are seeking a highly experienced Manager to complete our billing team. Candidates should have a deep understanding of insurance reimbursement procedures and strategies. We are looking for a bright, energetic, leader who knows how to get the best out of their staff and maintain good relations with patients and payors. Certified coder is a plus. We are looking for the best of the best! Responsibilities include analyzing accounts receivable reports, weekly and monthly financial reports, negotiating insurance contracts, Credentialing, supervising employees and developing effective work flow and reimbursement operations. We pride ourselves on being up to date with all Health Information Technologies. Applicants should be forward thinking, in the know and on the look out for new technological enhancements and applications. Coastal ENT offers competitive pay, health insurance, and 401K for full-time employees. We are proud to provide an excellent work environment and family atmosphere. Our practice is growing and we need career-minded professionals to grow with us. Interested? Forward us your resume and salary requirements to ljhanson@coastalhearing.com. We look forward to hearing from you. Check us out on the web, http://www.coastalearnoseandthroat.com/ and http://www.coastalhearing.com/
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Movie Captioning Access Update
Deaf and hard-of-hearing people who have a hard time understanding dialogue at the movies benefit from closed captioning in a movie theater. Closed captioning technology for movie theaters allows hearing impaired patrons to read the movie dialogue as captions. The entire audience does not see the captions; only the patrons with the captioning device see the words. The reflectors are available at the theater's customer service desk. It can be very frustrating to miss that critical plot twist because you didn’t hear all of the words. How does the technology work? A captioning device displays reversed captions on an LED text display which is mounted in the rear of a theater. Deaf and hard-of-hearing patrons use transparent acrylic panels attached to their seats to reflect the captions so that they appear superimposed on the movie screen. The reflective panels are portable and adjustable, enabling the caption user to sit anywhere in the theater. Recently, there have been two major court rulings in movie captioning access. On April 30, 2010, a unanimous, three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires closed-captioning access in movie theaters. This is the second time a federal court has ruled that the ADA requires some captioning access (a federal court in Washington, D.C., ruled this way in 2004), and the first time that a federal court of appeals has ruled this way, overturning a lower court decision. Many theaters across the country already offer closed-captioning systems. In New Jersey in September 2004, the Attorney General’s Office and the Division on Civil Rights reached voluntary settlement agreements with four major multiplex theater chains operating in New Jersey regarding the installation of new deaf captioning technology. Under terms of the settlement agreements, American Multi Cinema (AMC), Loews Cineplex Theaters, Clearview Cinemas and National Amusements agreed to either equip their theaters with new captioning technology or, in multiplexes where the technology was already installed, to expand the number of screens offering such captioning. Please visit our website at http://www.coastalhearing.com/under helpful links to take the Better Hearing Institute hearing test. # # # Dr. Suzanne McCorry is Director of Audiology at Coastal Ear, Nose and Throat in Neptune, NJ and can be contacted at 732-280-7855; sbmccorry@coastalhearing.com; http://www.coastalhearing.com/
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Dr. Fuchs Joins Coastal
Coastal Ear, Nose and Throat is proud to announce Tara L. Fuchs has joined the staff of Coastal Hearing and Balance Center Dr. Fuchs is a hearing-health professional with an audiologic career that spans over a decade. Dr. Fuchs earned her Master of Arts in Audiology from The College of New Jersey in 1997 followed by her Doctorate in Audiology from the University of Florida in 2003. During Dr. Fuch’s audiology tenure, she also became a member of both the American Academy of Audiology and the NJ Association of Hearing Health Professionals. She has spent time working as an Adjunct Professor at The College of New Jersey to help educate the next generation of hearing-health professionals. As both an industrial and clinical audiologist, Dr. Fuch’s professional experience spans from pediatric through geriatric patients.
Please visit our website at http://www.coastalhearing.com/for more information on healthy hearing.
Dr. McCorry is Director of Audiology at Coastal Ear, Nose and Throat in Neptune, NJ and can be contacted at 732-280-7855; sbmccorry@coastalhearing.com; http://www.coastalhearing.com/
Monday, March 14, 2011
Hearing Loss
What are the primary causes of hearing loss?
Coastal Ear, Nose and Throat along with Healthy Hearing would like to educate the public on the primary causes of hearing loss.
There are three types of hearing loss: conductive, sensorineural and mixed hearing loss, all of which have different causes.
Conductive hearing loss is caused by issues with the middle ear such as fluid in the middle ear space or issues with the middle ear bones. Many types of conductive hearing loss are not permanent and can be treated by medical intervention. A full hearing evaluation followed with a medical evaluation by an ear physician will help to determine the cause of the conductive hearing loss. Once the cause is identified, the physician will recommend medical treatment.
Most causes of sensorineural (nerve) hearing loss are never known; however, through a hearing evaluation and medical evaluation, various causes of hearing loss can be suspected based on the outcome of the evaluations. The most common causes of sensorineural hearing loss are genetics, aging and noise exposure. Medications, diseases associated with small vessel disease, arthritis, diabetes, and heart disease are all associated with a higher incidence of hearing loss.
Recent studies have also found persons who smoke increase their probability of having hearing loss. Finally, high levels of blood lipids and cholesterol have been associated with an increased incidence of hearing loss, possibly through the promotion of small vessel disease.
Currently, noise-induced hearing loss is the only type of hearing loss that can be fully prevented by the use of ear protection. Noise induced hearing loss may be caused by a single exposure to excessive noise or from many years of being exposed to loud levels of noise.
Mixed hearing loss is a combination of conductive and sensorineural hearing loss, and is caused by the previously mentioned causes.
Unfortunately, even if you live healthy and take all precautions possible, the majority of us will slowly develop hearing loss due to the natural aging process. The inner ear hair cells do not replace themselves and once they are lost, their function is not recovered.
Recent studies have found high doses of antioxidants may be associated with the prevention of noise induced hearing loss. Other studies have shown a diet rich in folates may also help prevent hearing loss by up to 20% (2009, AOO-HNSF); however, further research is needed.
Joanne Slater M.S. CCC-A. Copyright 2009, www.HealthyHearing.com - The leading web resource on hearing loss and hearing aids. This article was reprinted with permission. Article Source: http://www.healthyhearing.com
Please visit our website at www.coastalhearing.com for more information on healthy hearing.
# # #
Suzanne McCorry is Director of Audiology at Coastal Ear, Nose and Throat in Neptune, NJ and can be contacted at 732-280-7855; sbmccorry@coastalhearing.com; http://www.coastalhearing.com
Hearing Aid Dispenser
Coastal Ear, Nose and Throat is proud to announce Jessica Miller has joined the staff of Coastal Hearing and Balance Center. Dr. Miller received both her Bachelor’s and Doctorate in Audiology degrees from James Madison University in Virginia. She is a licensed Audiologist and Hearing Aid Dispenser. Jessica also holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology from the American Speech-Language Hearing Association. After experiencing a variety of clinical settings including hospitals, VA medical centers, ENT offices, & private practice, she has found her niche working with hearing aids.
Call (732) 280-7855 or visit us on our website to make an appointment.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
NECK AND CANCER AWARENESS
Authored by Jaclyn Sylvia, PA-C
Cancer is a group of many related diseases that begin in cells. These cells begin to grow abnormally forming a mass of tissue, called a growth or a tumor. There are two types of tumors: benign and malignant. Benign tumors are not cancer. Malignant tumors are cancer. Their growth invades normal structures near the tumor and can spread to other parts of the body. Most head and neck cancers begin in the cells that line the mucosal surfaces in the head and neck area. These areas include lips, inside the mouth, tongue, salivary glands, nasal cavity, sinuses, pharynx, and the larynx (voice box).
Did You Know?
- Head and neck cancers, most of which are preventable, account for approximately 6% of all cancers in the United States
- More than 55,000 people in the U.S. will develop cancer of the head and neck in 2011; nearly 13,000 people will die from it
- Early detection and treatments are the keys to preventing these cancers
- Eighty-five percent of head and neck cancers are linked to tobacco use
- People who use both tobacco and alcohol are at greater risk of developing these cancers than people who use either tobacco or alcohol alone
- Cigarette smoking increases your risk of head and neck cancer by 15 times compared to a non-smoker
- Over the past ten years, an increasing number of people with Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) who were young, non-smokers have developed oral, head and neck cancer
What Are the Common Symptoms of Head and Neck Cancer?
Symptoms of several head and neck cancer sites include a lump or sore that does not heal; a sore throat that does not go away, difficulty swallowing, and a change or hoarseness in the voice. Other symptoms may include the following:
- Oral Cavity: A white or red path on the gums, tongue or lining in the mouth, swelling of the jaw that causes dentures to fit poorly, or unusual bleeding or pain in the mouth
- Nasal Cavity and Sinuses: Sinuses that are blocked and do not clear, chronic sinus infections that do not respond to treatment with antibiotics, bleeding through the nose, frequent headaches, swelling or other trouble with the eyes, pain in the upper teeth
- Oropharynx and Hypopharynx: Ear pain and blood in your saliva or phlegm for more than a few days
- Nasopharynx: Trouble breathing or speaking, frequent headaches, persistent pain or ringing in the ears, trouble hearing
- Larynx: Pain with swelling, persistent ear pain, difficulty breathing
These symptoms may be caused by cancer or by other, less serious conditions. However, raising awareness of cancer symptoms and treatment options is crucial because an estimated 60% of patients fail to see doctors until their disease have gone into advanced states.
Call our office at 732-280-7855 to schedule an appointment or visit our website at Coastal Ear, Nose and Throat.
Authored by Jaclyn Sylvia, PA-C
Cancer is a group of many related diseases that begin in cells. These cells begin to grow abnormally forming a mass of tissue, called a growth or a tumor. There are two types of tumors: benign and malignant. Benign tumors are not cancer. Malignant tumors are cancer. Their growth invades normal structures near the tumor and can spread to other parts of the body. Most head and neck cancers begin in the cells that line the mucosal surfaces in the head and neck area. These areas include lips, inside the mouth, tongue, salivary glands, nasal cavity, sinuses, pharynx, and the larynx (voice box).
Did You Know?
- Head and neck cancers, most of which are preventable, account for approximately 6% of all cancers in the United States
- More than 55,000 people in the U.S. will develop cancer of the head and neck in 2011; nearly 13,000 people will die from it
- Early detection and treatments are the keys to preventing these cancers
- Eighty-five percent of head and neck cancers are linked to tobacco use
- People who use both tobacco and alcohol are at greater risk of developing these cancers than people who use either tobacco or alcohol alone
- Cigarette smoking increases your risk of head and neck cancer by 15 times compared to a non-smoker
- Over the past ten years, an increasing number of people with Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) who were young, non-smokers have developed oral, head and neck cancer
What Are the Common Symptoms of Head and Neck Cancer?
Symptoms of several head and neck cancer sites include a lump or sore that does not heal; a sore throat that does not go away, difficulty swallowing, and a change or hoarseness in the voice. Other symptoms may include the following:
- Oral Cavity: A white or red path on the gums, tongue or lining in the mouth, swelling of the jaw that causes dentures to fit poorly, or unusual bleeding or pain in the mouth
- Nasal Cavity and Sinuses: Sinuses that are blocked and do not clear, chronic sinus infections that do not respond to treatment with antibiotics, bleeding through the nose, frequent headaches, swelling or other trouble with the eyes, pain in the upper teeth
- Oropharynx and Hypopharynx: Ear pain and blood in your saliva or phlegm for more than a few days
- Nasopharynx: Trouble breathing or speaking, frequent headaches, persistent pain or ringing in the ears, trouble hearing
- Larynx: Pain with swelling, persistent ear pain, difficulty breathing
These symptoms may be caused by cancer or by other, less serious conditions. However, raising awareness of cancer symptoms and treatment options is crucial because an estimated 60% of patients fail to see doctors until their disease have gone into advanced states.
Call our office at 732-280-7855 to schedule an appointment or visit our website at Coastal Ear, Nose and Throat.
NOSEBLEEDS
Authored by Jaclyn Sylvia, PA-C
In the United States, one of every seven persons develop a nosebleed at some point during their lifetime. Nosebleeds do not exclude any age group, but are most commonly found in children aged 2 to 10 as well as adults aged 50 to 80 years. As inconvenient as nosebleeds may be, ninety percent of nosebleeds are able to be easily controlled without significant invasive procedures. Nosebleeds are classified on the basis of the primary bleeding site. The most common area that bleeds is the inside front portion of the nose. Most cases of nosebleeds do not have one easily identifiable cause; however, local trauma is one of the most common. Another very common cause of nosebleeds is excessive dryness in the nose, which is often seen in the winter months. Dry heated indoor air, topical nasal sprays, cigarette smoking, chronic oxygen use, or antihistamines contribute to nasal dryness. Therefore, if frequent nosebleeds are a problem, it is important to focus on hydrating the nasal tissue.
There are things that can be done at home to keep the lining of the nose moist with the use of a product three times a day:
- Saline spray
- Saline gel such as AYR
- Bacitracin ointment or A+D ointment
- Aquaphor
If you develop a nose bleed, here are some tips to prevent future bleeding:
- Limit physical activities such as bending, lifting or stooping
- Sneeze within the mouth open
- Avoid blowing the nose for roughly 24 hours and continue with gentle blowing after
- Quit smoking or, at the very least, cut down on the amount of cigarettes consumed
If re-bleeding occurs, there are some at home tips that may help to slow, if not stop, the bleeding:
- Immediately squeeze the soft part of the nostrils firmly together for five minutes (make sure the head is bent forward so that you do not swallow the blood)
- Should bleeding continue, blow the nose to remove any coagulated blood
- Follow by spraying a decongestant spray such as Afrin nasal spray in the nose four times on each side
- Repeat these steps if needed
- After thirty minutes, if the bleeding persists, the patient should be evaluated by a medical provider
At Coastal Ear, Nose and Throat we have professionally trained otolaryngologists and a physician assistant to address your nasal concerns. Please feel free to come visit us.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Otitis Media (Inflammation of the Middle Ear)
Located within the middle ear space is a tube called the Eustachian Tube. This tube extends from the middle ear space to a region in the back of the throat and nose. In its normal state, the Eustachian tube is closed. However, when a person swallows or yawns, the Eustachian tube is forced open in order to allow air to enter the middle ear space, thus equalizing the air pressure in the middle ear to that within the ear canal. If the Eustachian tube fails to open and close properly, pressure builds up in the middle ear space allowing the accumulation of fluid.
A child’s Eustachian tube is an essentially narrow, straight, short tube which is the perfect condition for fluids and germs to gather in the middle ear space and cause problems. As children grow into adult bodies, this tube begins to widen, lengthen, and slope down into the back of the throat and nose space. Think of a properly functioning storm drain, an adult Eustachian tube allows for the proper drainage of fluid so that a buildup of fluid and germs is less likely to occur, similar to rain water properly running down the drain.
In addition to being at an anatomical disadvantage, a child’s immune system is not fully developed until the age of 7 years. Therefore, their bodies are not as good at warding off infections as adults. Environmental factors may also increase the risk of OM such as the use of pacifiers or bottles, exposure to second-hand smoke, and attending group child-care facilities where germs are easily spread.
In treating middle ear infections the physician will consider whether or not to use a “wait and see” approach, antibiotics, pressure equalization tube insertion, or a combination of two or more of these approaches. When planning the treatment approach the physician will consider the type and severity of the ear infection, frequency and duration of the ear infections, the age of the child, speech/language delays or learning disorders, state of hearing sensitivity and medical risk factors.
Pressure equalization tubes, or PE tubes, are surgically inserted in the ear drums. They help to drain fluid from the middle ear and equalize the pressure in the ear. The procedure takes about 10 minutes and is performed under general anesthesia. Children are most commonly able to leave about an hour after surgery and feel no pain after discharge.
If otitis media goes untreated, and fluid is allowed to remain in the middle ear for longer than 6 weeks, it may become thick. This thick fluid or mucous can cause significant damage to the eardrum and the tiny bones within the middle ear thus impairing hearing. Following your physician’s medical treatment plan is the best way to assure maximum recovery and hearing abilities.
Research about OM is ongoing; your doctor can talk to you about the current findings.
Coastal Ear, Nose and Throat has been treating monmouth county and ocean county for ear infections for over a decade. Our practice offers audiologic/diagnostic hearing evaluations our doctors of audiology. So come visit our board certified physicians and let them help you treat your otitis media. If you like our blog please visit our facebook page and like us.
Please visit our website at www.coastalhearing.com under helpful links for more healthy hearing information.
# # #
Dr. Suzanne McCorry is Director of Audiology at Coastal Ear, Nose and Throat in Neptune, NJ and can be contacted at 732-280-7855; sbmccorry@coastalhearing.com; http://www.coastalhearing.com
Located within the middle ear space is a tube called the Eustachian Tube. This tube extends from the middle ear space to a region in the back of the throat and nose. In its normal state, the Eustachian tube is closed. However, when a person swallows or yawns, the Eustachian tube is forced open in order to allow air to enter the middle ear space, thus equalizing the air pressure in the middle ear to that within the ear canal. If the Eustachian tube fails to open and close properly, pressure builds up in the middle ear space allowing the accumulation of fluid.
A child’s Eustachian tube is an essentially narrow, straight, short tube which is the perfect condition for fluids and germs to gather in the middle ear space and cause problems. As children grow into adult bodies, this tube begins to widen, lengthen, and slope down into the back of the throat and nose space. Think of a properly functioning storm drain, an adult Eustachian tube allows for the proper drainage of fluid so that a buildup of fluid and germs is less likely to occur, similar to rain water properly running down the drain.
In addition to being at an anatomical disadvantage, a child’s immune system is not fully developed until the age of 7 years. Therefore, their bodies are not as good at warding off infections as adults. Environmental factors may also increase the risk of OM such as the use of pacifiers or bottles, exposure to second-hand smoke, and attending group child-care facilities where germs are easily spread.
In treating middle ear infections the physician will consider whether or not to use a “wait and see” approach, antibiotics, pressure equalization tube insertion, or a combination of two or more of these approaches. When planning the treatment approach the physician will consider the type and severity of the ear infection, frequency and duration of the ear infections, the age of the child, speech/language delays or learning disorders, state of hearing sensitivity and medical risk factors.
Pressure equalization tubes, or PE tubes, are surgically inserted in the ear drums. They help to drain fluid from the middle ear and equalize the pressure in the ear. The procedure takes about 10 minutes and is performed under general anesthesia. Children are most commonly able to leave about an hour after surgery and feel no pain after discharge.
If otitis media goes untreated, and fluid is allowed to remain in the middle ear for longer than 6 weeks, it may become thick. This thick fluid or mucous can cause significant damage to the eardrum and the tiny bones within the middle ear thus impairing hearing. Following your physician’s medical treatment plan is the best way to assure maximum recovery and hearing abilities.
Research about OM is ongoing; your doctor can talk to you about the current findings.
Coastal Ear, Nose and Throat has been treating monmouth county and ocean county for ear infections for over a decade. Our practice offers audiologic/diagnostic hearing evaluations our doctors of audiology. So come visit our board certified physicians and let them help you treat your otitis media. If you like our blog please visit our facebook page and like us.
Please visit our website at www.coastalhearing.com under helpful links for more healthy hearing information.
# # #
Dr. Suzanne McCorry is Director of Audiology at Coastal Ear, Nose and Throat in Neptune, NJ and can be contacted at 732-280-7855; sbmccorry@coastalhearing.com; http://www.coastalhearing.com
Monday, February 7, 2011
Meet Our Physician Assistant
Jaclyn Sylvia, our Physician Assistant, is committed to excellence in patient care. She received her bachelor’s degree in Health Services and Biology at Quinnipiac University in 2005. She continued on to obtain her Master’s degree in Health Science Physician Assistant at Quinnipiac University in 2007. She has been a practicing licensed medical professional working in otolaryngology and facial plastic surgery for over three years providing care for both adults and pediatric patients. She is also on the Board of Directors for the Society of Physician Assistants in Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery as well as an active member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants in order to promote growth and development of Physician Assistants in the ENT field.
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