Coastal Ear, Nose and Throat

Tinnitus

2011-05-10T15:51:00.000-04:00

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

Increase in Hearing Loss in Adolescents Courtesy of Coastal Ear, Nose & Throat

2011-05-04T17:15:00.003-04:00

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

Better Speech and Hearing Month

2011-04-26T16:21:00.002-04:00

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

National Better Speech and Hearing

2011-04-22T13:14:00.002-04:00

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.
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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

Medical Billing Office Manager Position Available

2011-04-07T13:45:00.003-04:00

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/

Movie Captioning Access Update

2011-03-29T10:38:00.003-04:00

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/

Coastal Ear Nose Throat

2011-03-24T10:32:00.000-04:00

Dr. Fuchs Joins Coastal

2011-03-24T10:24:00.004-04:00

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/

Hearing Loss

2011-03-14T16:21:00.003-04:00

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.
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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

2011-03-14T16:08:00.003-04:00

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.

2011-03-03T13:23:00.004-05:00

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.

2011-03-03T13:09:00.003-05:00

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.

2011-02-18T21:08:00.005-05:00

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.
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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

Meet Our Physician Assistant

2011-02-07T10:20:00.004-05:00

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.

Coastal Ear, Nose and Throat: Telephone Use with Hearing Aids

2010-12-17T15:19:00.000-05:00

Coastal Ear, Nose and Throat: Telephone Use with Hearing Aids

Telephone Use with Hearing Aids

2010-12-17T15:00:00.000-05:00

Courtesy of Coastal Ear, Nose & Throat

During the holidays, we have the opportunity to spend time our family members and friends who we might not get to see often throughout the rest of the year. Why not enhance your daily communication with those close to you by improving hearing ability on the telephone? Understanding speech on the phone is a significant area of difficulty for the majority of individuals with hearing loss.
Our ability to understand speech is augmented by the cues provided by looking at someone’s face when they are talking and by binaural listening (hearing with two ears). Communication via the telephone can be extremely difficult due to the loss of visual cues and relying on only one ear. In the past, individuals with hearing aids may have experienced whistling when attempting to use the telephone in conjunction with their hearing aid. The technology available today allows for improved telephone communication.
Hearing aids can now come equipped with a telecoil to improve telephone use. The telecoil circuit allows for electromagnetic communication between the telephone and the hearing aid by positioning them appropriately close together – a program button can be provided on the hearing aid if an individual has difficulty with maintaining the position of the phone. How do you obtain the most optimal telecoil response with a hearing aid? Your landline phone should have at least a 100 milliamps per meter (mA/m) magnetic strength in order to achieve a good connection to the hearing aid telecoil. If your phone is not emitting a strong enough magnetic field, a magnet can be placed on the phone receiver. Cell phones should have a minimum of a M3/T3 rating. The M refers to use with the hearing aid microphone; whereas the T refers to the use with the hearing aid telecoil. The higher the rating, the better compatibility is with the hearing aid – M4/T4 provides the best compatibility.
Even more exciting … some of the hearing aid manufacturers have recently developed technology that allows the hearing aid to automatically send the telephone response to both hearing aids simultaneously to regain the binaural listening, which is lost with traditional telephone use. In addition, many hearing aids are Bluetooth compatible to allow for hands-free cell phone use without having to take out the hearing aids to use a hands-free Bluetooth device for the cell phone while driving.
Individuals with a more severe degree of hearing loss may require use of a captioned telephone or phone relay service. Captioned telephones have a visual display of every word that the person you are communicating with to improve your ability to understand speech on the phone. IP Relay Service is available for individuals who use American Sign Language as their primary means of communication to allow for telephone communication.

Remember to enjoy your holiday season and keep in touch with the ones you love!

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

Breathing Easier with the Help of K. Hovnanian Childrens Hospital

2009-12-07T15:50:00.000-05:00

Dr. Samuel Engel, MD, MPH

Ryan Dunckley, 3, of Whiting was a constant worry to his parents. Born with a congenital condition called laryngomalacia, Ryan had an underdeveloped voice box that lacked structural support.

But when he developed a strange breathing problem that wouldn't go away, his mother, Karen, grew concerned. "His breathing sounded like a motor boat, especially when he was exerting himself or sleeping at night," she says.

She videotaped the noises and brought him to Mary Mitskavich, MD, a board certified otolaryngologist affiliated with Jersey Shore University Medical Center.

Because the majority of children outgrow laryngomalacia by age 2, Dr. Mitskavich at first took a watchful approach. But Ryan was slow to crawl, walk, and talk, and his breathing became more labored. At the next appointment, Dr. Mitskavich, introduced her new colleague in the practice, Samuel Engel, MD, MPH a pediatric otolaryngologist at K. Hovnanian Children's Hospital at Jersey Shore University Medical Center.

Dr. Engel, who has a special interest in pediatric airway obstruction, recommended a sleep study to make sure Ryan's breathing was not stopping during sleep, which is an associated condition called sleep apnea. The study was done in an overnight sleep lab, close to Ryan's home in Brick, at Ocean Medical Center.

After determining that Ryan did not have sleep apnea, Dr. Engel recommended surgery known as supraglottoplasty to fix the breathing problem. "I endoscopically corrected the structure of his voice box, which had collapsed," Dr. Engel explains. "The entire surgery was performed transorally so there are no scars. At the same time, Ryan had his adenoids removed and ear tubes placed for recurrent ear infections."

Ryan spent one night in the hospital before going home. As a precaution, he stayed in the pediatric intensive care unit. "The nurses and staff there are so friendly," Karen recalls. "We weren't as severe a case as the other children in the unit that night, but we go the same care. I swear it was just about the next day when Ryan started running around at home. His life changed right there."

Ryan's follow-up care involves speech therapy, but he's "a big, happy, healthy kid," Karen says. "And I can't say enough about Dr. Engel. He is just such a nice guy and talks in a way you understand. He made Ryan very comfortable, too." -Ryan Younger

Toys on Santa's Naughty List

2009-12-07T15:17:00.000-05:00

With the holidays upon us, you are probably wondering what gifts to give the little ones. How about the gift of hearing? Each day, a child's ears are bombarded with loud and possibly damaging sounds; why continue that assault by giving a loud toy?

For the last 12 years, Minnesota's Sight and Hearing Association and the University of Minnesota, have teamed up to purchase and test readily available toys for potentially dangerous sound levels. This year, 15 out of 19 tested toys were deemed loud enough to damage precious hearing in 15 minutes. The top offender? Iron Man Mobile Headquarters Action vehicle by Jada Toys, Inc., which came in at a whopping 119.5 dBA! You must realize that a lawn mower produces about 90 dBA of noise and anything over 100dBA poses hearing risk in 15 minutes. Second and third place offenders go to the Fischer Price Learning Letters Mailbox (113.9 dBA) and Sesame Street Help Along Sing a Song (112.1 dBA), respectively.

How do you know if a toy is too loud for children? Try it out. Hold a toy next to your ear and give it a go. If you find yourself flinching at the sound, it is too loud. Noises can be harmful at all ages. However, a child's ears are more fragile due to the smaller size of the ear canal and the increased sound pressure placed upon the eardrum.

Take the time to inspect the toys children already have. If the toys are too loud, control the volume by taking out the batteries and putting packing tape over the speaker to muffle sounds, replace toys with less noisy toys, or restrict use to outside play areas.

Remember to enjoy your holiday season and protect the ones you love!

Candice E. Ortiz, AuD, CCC-A, FAAA

Audiologist

Coastal Hearing and Balance Center

3700 Rt 33

Neptune, NJ 07753

http://www.coastalhearing.com/

Medications and Their Effect on Hearing

2009-10-15T11:52:00.001-04:00

Medications that can damage the ear, resulting in hearing loss and/or balance disorders are considered ototoxic. (Mudd, Edmunds, Glatz, Campbell, & Rybak, 2008) Literally, ototoxic means “ear poison.” There are over 100 known ototoxic prescription and over-the-counter medications on the market today. (Mudd, Edmunds, Glatz, Campbell, & Rybak, 2008) These include, but are not limited to, medicines used to treat serious bacterial infections, cancers, and heart disease.
What are the Effects of Ototoxic Medications?
The first sign of ototoxicity is most often ringing in the ears (tinnitus). Permanent, high frequency hearing loss may also occur. Although uncommon, hearing loss as a result of ototoxic medications may be temporary. The hearing loss often remains unnoticed by a person until speech understanding is affected.
In addition to hearing loss, a person may also experience a loss of balance and the feeling of bouncing vision from the medication. These side effects are often temporary as the human body can learn to adapt to theses deficits. (Guthrie, 2008)
Who is affected by Ototoxic Medications?
Use of ototoxic medications can have serious affects on its users’ quality of life. Not being able to hear conversation, or perhaps always feeling dizzy, may cause a person to stop participating in their usual activities. Therefore, it is important that the pros and cons be weighed before the start of a treatment plan.
All people who take ototoxic medications should be aware of its side effects. However, there are those who are at greater risk than others. Infants who are born prematurely are at a greater risk of ototoxicity than adults when taking medications known as aminoglycosides, which treat serious bacterial infections. Children are also at a greater risk for ototoxicity when using cisplatin (a drug used to treat cancer). (Garcia, Martinez, Agusti, Mencia, & Asenjo, 2001)
The elderly, those with kidney disorders, people who already have hearing loss, those who have previously used ototoxic medications, those using multiple ototoxic medications at one time, and those who have genes linked to ototoxic weakness, are also at a higher risk for experiencing ototoxic effects than others. (Garcia et al., 2001; Mudd et al., 2008; Vasquez & Mattucci, 2003)
The “who” is not the only factor to consider when thinking of vulnerability to ototoxic medications. The “how”is also important. The way that medications are delivered can play a role in severity of ototoxic effects. For example, medications put directly into the blood stream by intravenous injection may be more severe than those applied by liquid drops on the eardrum. (Guthrie, 2008)
Can a person protect themselves against ototoxicity?
There is a lot of research being done to develop ways of protecting a person from ototoxic medications. Animal experimentation shows promising results. However, the extent that the animal study results extend to humans is unknown at this time and human studies have not yet been performed. Therefore no protective strategy has been formally approved. (Guthrie, 2008)
What should a person do if they are going to begin using an ototoxic medication?
Monitoring the hearing and balance systems are very important. By thorough monitoring, if a change occurs, adjustments can be made by the doctor to try to save as much hearing and/or balance as possible. Adjustments in treatment can include, but are not limited to, changing the dose, the schedule of treatment, a switch to a less ototoxic medication, or possibly stopping the treatment temporarily. (Vasquez & Mattucci, 2003)
Prior to starting the treatment plan, a baseline evaluation should be conducted which includes a conventional hearing test, high frequency hearing test, word recognition test, otoacoustic emission test, and an electronystagmography or videonystagmography test when possible. Throughout the course of treatment, weekly tests should be performed consisting of at least conventional and high frequency hearing tests and the otoacoustic emission test. Post-treatment tests should also be performed as reactions to the drugs make not take affect right away and cannot be predicted. (Vasquez & Mattucci, 2003)
What can be done when treatment has ended and a person has hearing loss and/or balance problems?
Unfortunately, even with careful monitoring, ototoxic effects may be unavoidable as the primary concern is the treatment of the disease which requires the drug in the first place. If a person is left with tinnitus, hearing loss, imbalance, and/or dizziness, an audiologist can work to develop a rehabilitation plan. This plan may include lessons on better hearing strategies, hearing aids, and/or balance therapy.
If you suspect that you may have, or had, problems related to ototoxic medications, please feel free to make an appointment with our team of physicians and audiologists at Coastal Ear, Nose and Throat.

Coastal Hearing and Balance Center

3700 Route 33

Neptune, NJ 07753

www.coastalhearing.com

(732) 280-7855

Dr. Mitskavich Receives Patient Choice Award

2009-08-07T08:29:00.000-04:00

8-3-2009

Mary Mitskavich, MD
3700 Route 33
Ste 101
Neptune, NJ, 07753-3206

Dear Dr. Mitskavich:
You chose to become a physician in order to help people, and made it your life’s work.
It’s a vitally important job, not an easy one, and carries heavy responsibilities balanced by the intangible rewards of the good you do.
Well, those intangible rewards just got a little more tangible.

We are proud to let you know that you have recently been honored by your patients with a Patients’ Choice recognition.

This honor reflects the difference you’ve made in these people’s lives through the exceptionally high praise granted to you by your patients.

Every month, more than 40,000 patients across the U.S. provide online feedback about their experiences with their doctors. They rate various components such as bedside manner, doctor-patient face time, degree of follow-up, courtesy of office staff, and overall opinions.

Over the course of 2008, these reviews have totaled hundreds of thousands patient opinions. While physicians generally receive positive reviews from their patients, only a select few receive uniformly rave reviews across the board. Of those that receive rave reviews, only physicians like yourself-- with near perfect scores - have been voted by their patients for this honor.

In fact, of the nation’s 720,000 active physicians, less than 5% were accorded this honor by their patients in 2008.

You are, indeed, the Patients’ Choice; one of the physicians most highly regarded by their patients.

This notation of your distinction as a Patients’ Choice physician will be prominently displayed in your Profile on a broad collection of web sites, including Vitals.com, RightHealth.com, Google.com, and a variety of Managed Care sites. These web sites are viewed by more than 150,000 people on a daily basis.

Congratulations once again on this outstanding distinction.

Sincerely,

Erika Boyer
Vice President, Consumer Research

The “Patients’ Choice” award is tabulated byMDx Medical, Inc.
MDx Medical, Inc. 1200 Wall Street West, Lyndhurst, NJ 07071 T. 201.459,6264 F. 201.438.4555

Dr. Sean Houston Receives Patient's Choice Award

2009-08-06T15:58:00.000-04:00

8-3-2009

Sean D Houston, MD
3700 Route 33
Ste 101
Neptune, NJ, 07753-3206
Dear Dr. Houston:
You chose to become a physician in order to help people, and made it your life’s work.
It’s a vitally important job, not an easy one, and carries heavy responsibilities balanced by the intangible rewards of the good you do.
Well, those intangible rewards just got a little more tangible.

We are proud to let you know that you have recently been honored by your patients with a Patients’ Choice recognition.

This honor reflects the difference you’ve made in these people’s lives through the exceptionally high praise granted to you by your patients.

Every month, more than 40,000 patients across the U.S. provide online feedback about their experiences with their doctors. They rate various components such as bedside manner, doctor-patient face time, degree of follow-up, courtesy of office staff, and overall opinions.

Over the course of 2008, these reviews have totaled hundreds of thousands patient opinions. While physicians generally receive positive reviews from their patients, only a select few receive uniformly rave reviews across the board. Of those that receive rave reviews, only physicians like yourself-- with near perfect scores - have been voted by their patients for this honor.

In fact, of the nation’s 720,000 active physicians, less than 5% were accorded this honor by their patients in 2008.

You are, indeed, the Patients’ Choice; one of the physicians most highly regarded by their patients.

This notation of your distinction as a Patients’ Choice physician will be prominently displayed in your Profile on a broad collection of web sites, including Vitals.com, RightHealth.com, Google.com, and a variety of Managed Care sites. These web sites are viewed by more than 150,000 people on a daily basis.

Congratulations once again on this outstanding distinction.

Sincerely,

Erika Boyer
Vice President, Consumer Research

The “Patients’ Choice” award is tabulated byMDx Medical, Inc.
MDx Medical, Inc. 1200 Wall Street West, Lyndhurst, NJ 07071 T. 201.459,6264 F. 201.438.4555

Tobacco and Children

2009-05-29T14:27:00.000-04:00

From the desk of Samuel Engel, MD, MPH
www.coastalhearing.com
732-280-7855

Ear, Nose, and Throat Doctors Warn of the
Many Dangers of Exposing Children to Cigarette Smoke

NEPTUNE, NJ — Despite how far the U.S. has come in its ongoing fight to help people avoid the dangers of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products, millions of children are still at risk for being exposed to the dangers of secondhand and “third-hand smoke” that can cause a number of health problems such as head and neck cancer, upper respiratory tract disorders, tooth decay, and behavioral issues. Coastal Ear, Nose and Throat reinforces the need for public awareness the dangers to children of tobacco smoke.

The term “third-hand smoke” is a relatively new phrase that describes the chemical contaminants from cigarette smoke that remain in the air and on surfaces even after the cigarette is extinguished. These chemicals linger for a long period of time and can be reabsorbed into the body if inhaled or ingested.

A recent study in the medical journal Pediatrics found that of adults surveyed, the impact of third-hand smoke is less well known to the public than other smoking-related risks. Since the term is so new, the researchers asked people if they agreed with the statement that “breathing air in a room today where people smoked yesterday can harm the health of infants and children.” Only 65 percent of nonsmokers and 43 percent of smokers agreed with that statement.

Secondhand smoke is a combination of the smoke from a burning cigarette and the smoke exhaled by a smoker. Also known as environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), it can be recognized easily by its distinctive odor. ETS contaminates the air and is retained in clothing, curtains and furniture. Beyond being unpleasant, annoying, and irritating to the eyes and nose, ETS represents a dangerous health hazard. Over 4,000 different chemicals have been identified in ETS, and at least 43 of these chemicals cause cancer.

Furthermore, on average, children are exposed to more secondhand smoke than nonsmoking adults. Coastal Ear, Nose and Throat warns parents and caregivers that exposing children to any kind of tobacco smoke is dangerous to their health and could result in immediate health problems like triggering an asthma attack, to long-term issues like tooth decay and chronic ear infections that can lead to hearing loss if left untreated.

Dr. Samuel Engel of Coastal Ear, Nose and Throat recommends the following ways to help limit a child’s exposure to tobacco smoke:
First, and most importantly, if you do smoke, stop. Consult your physician for help, if needed. There are many new resources available to help you quit from medications to support groups.

Consider a home/car smoking ban. Do not allow anyone to smoke anywhere in your home or at any time in your car. Studies have shown that parents who enforce a no-smoking ban at home are less likely to have teens who experiment with cigarettes.

Finally, if you used to allow regular smoking in your home, consider replacing low-cost items like throw pillows, area rugs, and curtains. For items like couches and rugs, consider a thorough steam cleaning which can help reduce the amount of dangerous particles, pollutants, and allergens that are trapped in their fibers.

The American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (AAOHNS), seeks to advise parents and caregivers that ear, nose, and throat disorders remain among the primary reasons children and adolescents visit a physician.
For more information on kids’ ear, nose, and throat health, visit our website at www.coastalhearing.com/.

Sean Houston, MD

2009-05-29T14:15:00.001-04:00

Sean Houston, MD

Dr. Sean Houston received his undergraduate degree in Biology from Georgetown University and his Medical Doctorate from the Georgetown School of Medicine. He completed his internship and residency at the University of Pittsburgh.

Dr. Houston is a contributing author to a textbook entitled Decision Making in Ear, Nose and Throat Disorders and has been a featured speaker at the Academy of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery Annual Conference.

In 2007, Dr. Houston was voted by his peers as one of New Jersey Monthly's Top Doctors. He serves as a Clinical Instructor for the Residency Program at Jersey Shore University Medical Center.

Dr. Houston is Board Certified to treat both adult and pediatric Otolaryngology patients.

Samuel Engel, MD

2009-05-29T13:59:00.001-04:00

Samuel Engel, M.D., M.P.H.

Dr. Samuel Engel graduated Summa Cum Laude from Rutgers University. He received his master's degree in Public Health from the UMDNJ-School of Public Health and his medical degree from UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School of Public Health and his medical degree from UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School where he received the Academic Achievement Award and was inducted into Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society.

Dr. Engel completed his internship and residency in Otolaryngology at the Washington University School of Medicine. He completed his fellowship in Pediatric Otolaryngology at Children's National Medical Center, one of only six Pediatric Otolaryngology programs that are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education.

Dr. Engel is chief of Pediatric Otolaryngology at Jersey Shore University Medical Center and the K. Hovnanian Children's Hospital. He specializes in all aspects of Pediatric Otolaryngology, with particular interest in pediatric airway disorders and obstructive sleep apnea, adenotonsillar diseases, otitis media, neck masses in children, pediatric sinusitis and pediatric voice disorders.

Mary Mitskavich, MD

2009-05-29T13:21:00.001-04:00

Mary Mitskavich, MD

Founder, Coastal Ear, Nose and Throat

Dr. Mary Mitskavich is the founder of Coastal Ear, Nose and Throat, LLC and is the managing partner. She received her undergraduate degree in Pharmacy from Duquesne University, graduating Summa Cum Laude as the class Valedictorian. She worked as a registered Pharmacist until deciding to pursue a career in medicine.

Dr. Mitskavich completed medical school, internship and residency at the University of Pittsburgh where she was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society. Dr. Mitskavich has had multiple scientific publications and presentations at national meetings. Grant money was awarded to fund her clinical research.

Currently, Dr. Mitskavich serves as a clinical instructor at Jersey Shore University Medical Center. She serves on the management committee of the Center for Advanced Surgery and Pain Management. She was on the Board of Directors of Meridian Ambulatory Care, Inc. She was recently selected to participate in the Meridian Physician Leadership Program. In 2007, Dr. Mitskavich was voted by her peers as one of New Jersey Monthly's Top Doctors.

Dr. Mitskavich is Board Certified in Pediatric and Adult Otolaryngology. She specializes in Balloon Sinuplasty, a less invasive endoscopic sinus surgery. You can see her interviewed on our Balloon Sinuplasty video.

www.coastalhearing.com

2009-05-26T13:29:00.000-04:00

sbmccorry@coastalhearing.com

Coastal Ear, Nose and Throat Urges Area Residents to Listen Up in a Down Economy
and Address Hearing Loss During Better Hearing and Speech Month

Neptune, May 1, 2009—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 Ear, Nose and Throat is joining with the Better Hearing Institute (BHI) to educate Americans on how hearing health affects job security, performance, and employment opportunities. Coastal Ear, Nose and Throat is encouraging people of all ages who are either seeking employment or who want to protect their jobs to make sure that unaddressed hearing loss doesn’t pose a barrier to employment success. BHI is offering an online hearing test where people can quickly and confidentially assess if they need a comprehensive hearing check by Coastal’s hearing professionals. Please visit our website at http://www.coastalhearing.com/ under helpful links to take the Better Hearing Institute hearing test.
“Never before has good hearing been so important,” says Suzanne McCorry, an audiologist in Neptune. “Hearing your best can be a smart job security strategy in a tough job market. How an employee is perceived by employers is effected by how he or she hears. Job candidates need to sound sharp during an interview. And employees who aren’t sure what an employer is asking can’t answer their best.”
According to the International Listening Association (ILA), listening is one of the top skills employers seek in entry-level employees and in those being promoted. Individual performance in an organization is found to be directly related to listening ability or perceived listening effectiveness.
When people with even mild hearing loss use hearing aids, they improve their job performance, increase their earning potential, enhance their communication skills, improve their professional and interpersonal relationships, stave off depression, and better their quality of life.
According to a BHI national study—“Impact of Hearing Loss on Household Income"—Americans with unaddressed hearing loss make less money than people with normal hearing. The study found that wearing a hearing aid reduces the amount of income lost. Specifically, untreated hearing loss negatively affects household income, on average, up to $23,000 per year depending on the degree of hearing loss. The use of hearing aids mitigates those negative effects by about 50 percent.

“Treating hearing loss early is no longer an option,” says Sergei Kochkin, PhD, Executive Director of BHI. “It is a career imperative. Great workplace communication is critical to both job performance and to getting a job. Great communication starts with great listening. And great listening starts with the ability to hear. We urge everyone to take that first, most critical step to ensuring career success by visiting http://www.hearingcheck.org/. Do it today.“
# # #
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/