ENT

Hearing loss affects millions of people worldwide, particularly older adults who can suffer age-related hearing loss (ARHL). Beyond the obvious impact on communication and quality of life, recent research studies show that hearing loss leads to a higher risk of developing the diseases of cognitive decline such as dementia and Alzheimer’s. Hearing loss demands comprehensive understanding and professional care. It is more than a mere audiological condition; hearing loss is profoundly connected with cognition, communication, and emotional well-being. If you find yourself confronting hearing loss, do not hesitate to seek assistance at Pacific Eye, Ear, and Skull Base Center. 310-829-7792

Strange though it may seem, our vocal cords are among our most vital organs. Not only do they allow us to communicate, but they make it possible to swallow without letting food or fluids into our lungs, a dangerous phenomenon that can cause pneumonia. It’s a complex action, requiring the work of 48 different muscles. Dr. Omid Mehdizadeh is an otolaryngologist—a surgeon who specializes in the head and neck. His specialty is laryngology—complex voice and swallowing disorders. Many patients come to him when they age, or after they have a stroke, both of which can impair the vocal cords. Dr. Mehdizadeh has lots of techniques to help them, some of which you wouldn’t suspect. As vocal cords age, they lose some of their mass, making it harder for them to close. In those cases, Dr. Mehdizadeh often turns to the same stuff that plastic surgeons use to plump up lips: a filler called Juvederm, or one like it. He injects the cords, giving them new life. In that sense, Dr. Mehdizadeh is a plastic surgeon for the vocal cords. Listen to this episode to learn more about this crucial organ, how to keep it healthy as you age, and what can be done to repair it, if necessary.

Have you ever woken up feeling groggy and tired? That’s because sleep directly impacts our brain function. Getting 7 hours of good sleep each night is a key factor in preserving brain health, especially as we age. Sleep disruption can lead to fatigue, irritability, lack of focus, depression, and overall quality of life issues. According to the Centers for Disease Control, three in four adults in the U.S. have a sleep disorder. Among the most common is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), where the upper airway becomes blocked during sleep, leading to breathing interference. Recognizable symptoms of OSA include loud snoring, gasping/choking for air during sleep, excessive daytime sleepiness, and headaches, among others. Learn more. 310-477-5558 https://www.pacificneuroscienceinstitute.org/eye-ent/nose-sinus/treatment/surgery-sleep-apnea/ https://www.pacificneuroscienceinstitute.org/eye-ent/our-center/schedule-a-consultation/

Congestion. Sneezing. Runny nose. Stuffy nose. These symptoms may be all too familiar to those with allergic rhinitis – sometimes called seasonal allergies or hay fever. An incredibly common condition, allergic rhinitis, affects about 1 in 5 people and is triggered by exposure to allergens, like pollen or pet dander. Dr. Michael Yong is a board certified otolaryngologist PNI. He provides full-service general otolaryngology care, specializing in nose, sinus and skull base disorders. Using minimally invasive techniques, Dr. Yong treats all manner of related issues including allergic and non-allergic rhinitis. Over-the-counter medications can usually treat allergic rhinitis symptoms, Dr. Yong says, but if that's not enough, minimally invasive procedures are available. Listen to this episode and learn how Dr. Yong helps patients find solutions to their rhinitis that may be right under their noses.

“Voice box” might be the most misleading term in all of human anatomy. It makes a very complex organ sound terribly simple. In truth, the voice box is a set of paired muscles no thicker than a fingernail that do double duty. The delicate muscles produce sound, and they close on cue to protect our lungs as we swallow. ‘It’s one of the most intricate and beautiful structures in the human body,” says Dr. Omid Mehdizadeh. He’s an otolaryngologist, which means he specializes in surgeries in the sinuses, ears and neck. But it’s the voice box that lured him into his specialty where he treats voice and swallow disorders. He did his residency at New York University, where he treated a number of opera singers. They use their voice boxes the way athletes use their arms and legs, and, often, injuries result. Singing several times a week, they develop nodules, cysts and even bruises. Listen to this episode to learn how Dr. Mehdizadeh treats this remarkable structure: the simple-sounding voice box.

Dr. Courtney Voelker talks to ABC7 about protecting your ears from the excessive noise of fireworks during July 4th celebrations. Hearing loss has a direct correlation to developmental delays and cognitive decline.

Do you suffer from nose bleeds? Dr. Wong helps patients who have recurrent nose bleeds whether they are a few spots on a tissue to ones that may last for 20-30 minutes on most days. Learn about the causes of nose bleeds and effective methods for dealing with them. Michael Yong, MD, MPH, MBA, is board certified in Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery, and fellowship-trained in Neurorhinology – Advanced Sinus & Skull Base Surgery. At Pacific Neuroscience Institute®, Dr. Yong provides full-service general Otolaryngology care, with an expertise in sinonasal and skull base disorders. He specializes in using minimally invasive endoscopic techniques for the treatment of nasal obstruction, smell disorders, allergic and non-allergic rhinitis, facial pain, acute and chronic sinusitis, nasal polyps, and benign and malignant tumors of the sinonasal cavities, among others. In addition, he works closely with a multidisciplinary team including his Neurosurgery colleagues to perform endoscopic endonasal surgeries that address benign and malignant skull base disorders in a way that maximizes preservation of function and quality of life. https://www.pacificneuroscienceinstitute.org/people/michael-yong/ https://www.pacificneuroscienceinstitute.org/contact/schedule-a-consultation/ 310-829-8701

Michael Yong, MD, MPH, MBA, is board certified in Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery, and fellowship-trained in Neurorhinology – Advanced Sinus & Skull Base Surgery. At Pacific Neuroscience Institute®, Dr. Yong provides full-service general Otolaryngology care, with an expertise in sinonasal and skull base disorders. He specializes in using minimally invasive endoscopic techniques for the treatment of nasal obstruction, smell disorders, allergic and non-allergic rhinitis, facial pain, acute and chronic sinusitis, nasal polyps, and benign and malignant tumors of the sinonasal cavities, among others. In addition, he works closely with a multidisciplinary team including his Neurosurgery colleagues to perform endoscopic endonasal surgeries that address benign and malignant skull base disorders in a way that maximizes preservation of function and quality of life. https://www.pacificneuroscienceinstitute.org/people/michael-yong/ https://www.pacificneuroscienceinstitute.org/contact/schedule-a-consultation/ 310-829-8701

When people notice their vision blurring, they will frequently dash off to the eye doctor. Not so with hearing loss. It often goes ignored and undiagnosed until it becomes unbearable. Dr. Courtney Voelker is trying to change that. She’s a neurotologist, a head and neck surgeon who specializes in diseases of the ear and related structures. She spends much of her time giving the gift of hearing to her patients using cochlear implants. These near-magical devices restore hearing after an intricate two-hour, outpatient surgery. They help newborns get on the path to mainstream development and cognition. Dr. Voelker has watched many toddlers light up when they hear the world for the first time. Cochlear implants help older adults avoid the isolation and cognitive decline that comes with hearing loss. With Bluetooth technology, cochlear implants are becoming almost bionic in their capabilities. They can connect to sound systems in music venues or classrooms. Listen to this episode to find out how Dr. Voelker is opening up access to the world of sound for all.

Young scholars who are college graduates with a bachelors or associates degree can find an exciting and fulfilling opportunity in the medical field at the Medical Assistants In Training (MAT) Program at Pacific Neuroscience Institute. Physician mentors and experienced MAs guide trainees through the 2-3 year program where they learn important and relevant skills to care for patients in the ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialty area. To learn more contact 310-477-5558. https://www.pacificheadandneck.com/