Concert: an ear, nose and throat nightmare

Did you guys see that Phil and the Leprechauns is coming to La Jolla next week? We NEED to get tickets.

Does this sound like you and your friends when you were younger? Would you be first in line to buy tickets and once inside, stand as close to the stage as possible? Could you feel the music because you were standing within arms reach to the amps?

When you were young you probably didn’t know that while you were building lasting memories, you were also causing permanent damage to your hearing. The good news is that you are now older and wiser. This means, the next time your favorite band from back in the day comes through town, you and your friends can attend the concert responsibly.

Ears

Getting front row seats may seem like a once in a lifetime experience. Did you know that loud music can actually permanently damage your hearing? It is called noise induced hearing loss and can be caused by any sound over 85 dB. To put this number in perspective: a normal conversation takes place at around 60 dB, traffic in Carlsbad can be about 85 dB and a firecracker clocks in at a whopping 145 dB. Now, to be clear, simply sitting in traffic during a particularly bad commute

 won’t damage your hearing. Noise induced hearing loss only occurs when something is incredibly loud, such as an explosion, or you are exposed to any sound over 85 dB for an extended period of time. Does that sound like a concert to anyone else?  Good thing there is an easy solution. Earplugs! There are a wide variety of earplugs; some are inexpensive and can be purchased right from a pharmacy and others can be molded to exactly fit into your ear. These custom-made molds work to block out the dangerous sounds but don’t distort the music (these would be recommended if you attend a lot of shows). You can get these earmolds from your local Carlsbad audiologist.

Nose

While most venues these days are smoke-free, there are (sadly) still some that are not. The venues that are smoke-free usually have a smoking section right outside the front door. Recent studies show that even secondhand smoke can pose serious health risks. A study from 2010 found that almost 40% of all individuals who suffered from chronic sinusitis were exposed to secondhand smoke. Sinusitis is an inflammation or swelling of the tissue lining the sinuses and can lead to facial pain/pressure, nasal stuffiness, nasal discharge, cough/congestion and even a fever. Unfortunately, the only way to completely prevent secondhand smoke exposure while at a concert is to check with the venue before you purchase your tickets. Confirm that they are indeed smoke-free and where the smoking section is located outside, it should be at least 25 feet from the entrance.

Throat

Nothing beats singing along with the band at the top of your lungs. Unfortunately, singing loudly for an extended period of time can harm your vocal cords. Several muscle groups work together in order for you to produce sound. Like any other activity, excessive use or misuse can cause injury. Loud and continued voice use as well as excessive use of the muscles in your neck can lead to vocal fatigue, increased vocal effort and hoarseness. These can put you at risk for developing benign vocal cord lesions or even worse, a vocal cord hemorrhage. In order to prevent this form happening, you have to stop misusing your vocal cords. Simple enough, just stop signing along at the top of your lungs. If the music seizes you and you must sing, make sure you are drinking plenty of water before and afterwards. This keeps your vocal cords hydrated and helps prevent lesions from developing. 

If you wake up the day after an epic concert and feel like your ears, nose or throat are off, that’s OK. Simple contact your local Carlsbad ENT doctor to schedule an appointment.  They can perform a full physical exam to make sure you did not cause any serious harm. 

Cat got your tongue?

If you’ve ever had laryngitis in Carlsbad, California, you must have heard the old saying “cat got your tongue?” more times than you can count. It’s always nice to see that people can find humor in your misery. The good news is, this usually goes away in a few days. Once you can speak again make to hit everyone with the best cliché you can think of (may I suggest “that and a quarter will get you a cup of coffee”)?

Laryngitis is an inflammation of your larynx (voice box) from overuse, irritation or infection. Your voice box contains your vocal cords, which are two folds of mucous membrane covering muscle and cartilage. Usually, your vocal cords will open and close smoothly, this creates sound.

Most of the cases of laryngitis in Carlsbad are acute, meaning they temporary and improve quickly. This type of laryngitis is usually caused by a viral infection, a bacterial infection or vocal strain. Chronic laryngitis is more serious; it can last longer than three weeks and can lead to vocal cord growths or injury. Chronic laryngitis is usually caused by a prolonged exposure to an irritant, acid reflux, overuse of your voice and singing.

The symptoms of both types of laryngitis are the same: hoarseness, a weak voice, sore throat and a dry throat and cough. Usually, these symptoms can be managed with simple home remedies. Drinking plenty of water and resting your voice are the best treatments.

If you experience trouble breathing, have increasing pain or cough up blood, you should contact your ENT doctors in San Diego immediately. Your doctor will perform laryngoscopy, which involves placing a thin tube with a tiny camera on the end down your throat to see into your voice box. If your doctor thinks they saw something troubling, a biopsy may need to be performed.

The best way to prevent laryngitis is to avoid smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol, drinking plenty of water will also help prevent dryness. 

International Holiday Trip Tips for the Hearing Impaired

Hearing can play an important role in your travels, not only internationally but even just around Carlsbad, California. Hearing helps make it possible to ask for directions, listen to overhead announcements at train stations and airports and can even help you stay safe. Fire alarms and car horns are warnings that those without hearing loss take for granted. 

Traveling around Carlsbad, California without impeccable hearing can be daunting; traveling to a foreign country with a hearing impairment can be downright unnerving. 

·         Before you leave for your trip, double check that all the arrangements and bookings you’ve made have been are confirmed in writing and everything that can be printed has been printed. This will eliminate the need for you to call an establishment to confirm any travel details over the phone

·         If the residents of the country you are visiting do not speak English, learn the phrase “I am deaf” in that country’s language. Write the phrase down on a few cards that you can hand out if needed

·         Let the staff know you have hearing loss when checking into a hotel. Explain that this means you will not hear anyone knocking on the door, hear the smoke alarm or answer the telephone. The hotel staff should be able to set up an electronic alert to send to your phone or email in case of an emergency. You can pass along this information at the time of booking as well.

·         Buy and review a map before you leave for your trip. This will make you less reliant on asking for verbal directions while exploring.

·         A good guidebook will help eliminate the need to ask for recommendations for places to eat or shop.

While these tips are specifically tailored for international travel, they can easily be implemented for travel around Carlsbad and the rest of California.

To know more about hearing loss California, visit: Calhns.com

Dining out in Carlsbad with hearing loss_ Cal HNS

Dining out with those you love in Carlsbad, California is an easy way to bring pleasure into your life. Unfortunately, if you suffer from hearing loss a simple dinner can easily become frustrating. Here are five tips to bring the enjoyment back to this enjoyable outing

1.      Chose the company – it is much easier to sustain a dinner conversation with only a few people than with everyone at the table. If you can, limit the number of people invited to the event. If you are not in charge of the guest list, try focusing on the smaller conversations taking place around you, instead of the large one happening across the table.

2.      Chose the restaurant – Carlsbad has a lot of options when it comes to places to eat. Pick a place that has carpeting and has wider spaced tables, covered in fabric tablecloths. These soft fabrics help absorb sounds and the wider table spacing helps prevent commotion, common to a busy restaurant.  Chose a well lit restaurant if you rely on lip reading.

3.      Chose the time – Selecting the time you eat is just as important as picking the right restaurant. Try to avoid the lunch and dinner rush; instead, opt for a time when the restaurant is empty, such as 5pm. While an early dinner is not ideal for everyone, understanding the entire conversation is worth it.

4.      Chose a seat – if possible, select a seat at the table so your back will be against the wall. This will help prevent background noise from interfering in your conversation. You should try to sit as far away from the busy areas, like the hostess desk and the kitchen.

5.      Chose what to eat – when you arrive, ask the hostess if they have a list of their nightly specials. If they do not, simply explain your hearing difficulties to a staff member. They should be able to provide you with a list before you even sit down.  

The Allergy Answer

Allergies affect a large portion of the La Jolla and Carlsbad population—in fact, about 20% of all people suffer from seasonal or long-term allergies. Understanding what causes them—and what specific allergens trigger your symptoms—is vital to finding the perfect immunotherapy treatment through sublingual therapy or allergy shots for your individual needs.

The immune system is your body’s first line of defense when fighting germs, viruses and bacteria. Your immune system helps the body stay in good health, and it also prevents infections. When the immune system encounters a foreign substance, that substance is considered a threat to your health. Your body responds by attacking that substance. In cases of infection or disease, this is a positive thing; in other cases, like allergies, it is simply a nuisance.

What Causes Allergies?

Allergies are an unnecessary response by the immune system to a substance that is actually harmless. If a patient in Carlsbad has an allergic reaction, it is the result of antibodies that trigger the release of histamines—chemicals that enter the bloodstream and cause swelling, inflammation, itchiness and mucus production. These histamines cause the telltale symptoms of allergies and may also cause rashes or hives.

For people in the regions around La Jolla and the surrounding North County regions, allergies may occur seasonally or year-round in. Pollens from trees, grasses and weeds are common allergens that often cause hay fever. Year-round allergens in Houston include animal dander, dust mites, mold, medications, chemicals and insect bites. Allergy sufferers experience a variety of cold-like symptoms including congestion, runny nose, sneezing, itchiness, postnasal drip, watery eyes and sinus pain or pressure.

The Best Allergy Treatments

If you suffer from allergies in Carlsbad, visiting allergist at a specialty clinic is the best approach to finding lasting relief. Over-the-counter allergy medications such as antihistamines and decongestants are only a temporary solution, as these medications simply disguise symptoms rather than actually improve them. Allergy medications are not a cure for allergies, and their effectiveness is limited.

If you want a long-term solution for allergy management, schedule an appointment with a La Jolla or Carlsbad allergist. Allergy clinics provide skin testing to determine which allergens are causing your symptoms; this is an important first step in finding an allergy treatment that will work best for you. Allergy in California shots and sublingual drops are both methods of immunotherapy treatment. Immunotherapy is an effective method that helps reduce the severity of allergy symptoms over time by helping your body build up immunity to the problematic substance.

If you’re tired of dealing with the misery allergies bring, contact an allergist today. Allergy and immunology specialists offer the relief you need for a healthy and happy life—indoors and out!