height_val = $("#id_height").val();
var regex_op =  /^(\d{1,2})[\']?((\d)|([0-1][0-2]))?[\"]?$/g.exec(height_val); 
//very rare chance for someone to be of two digit feet height.
//but i put it there, just in case.
var feet = regex_op[1];
var inches = regex_op[2];
// converting to inches 
var height = (parseInt(feet) || 0) * 12 + (parseInt(inches) || 0);