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

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

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

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.