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/

Dr. Mitskavich Receives Patient Choice Award

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

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

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

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

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

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.