Use your CORE to Navigate Solutions

What is the best way to identify amplified stethoscope solutions for your hearing instrument wearing patients? Invest in a 3M Littmann CORE Amplified Stethoscope and have it ready to demo in your office. Why? Most medical professionals want to stream auscultation directly to their hearing instruments. Since the 3M Littmann CORE has built-in Bluetooth capabilities, having it on hand will:

  • determine if streaming auscultation can be achieved with the patient’s current Bluetooth-enabled hearing instrument technology;
  • help establish realistic expectations;
  • facilitate buy-in of necessary configurations (e.g., headphones, different amplified stethoscope) by allowing the patient to experience successfully hearing auscultation without needing to remove hearing instruments.

Learn more about the benefits of having a demo by reviewing the Tips for Dispensing Professionals section of Oaktree Products updated Amplified Stethoscope Resource Page. Check out the 3M Littmann CORE demo template at the bottom of the page for suggestions on how to navigate a positive demonstration experience for your patient. Use the 3M Littmann CORE checklist to master basic operations of this popular amplified stethoscope in preparation for offering effective product demonstrations.

Other information accessible from Oaktree’s Amplified Stethoscope Resource page includes amplified stethoscope solutions and considerations as a function of hearing technology. Options are outlined for each technology scenario to help audiologists effectively navigate viable solutions. Be sure to check it out!

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Spread the Audiology Word

October is Audiology Awareness month, a month dedicated to generating audiology awareness and the importance of good hearing health to the general public. It’s also a perfect opportunity to educate other healthcare professionals about hearing loss and balance, and the benefits of your services.

For example, local physicians in your community may not know general facts about hearing loss or the link between untreated hearing loss and falls.1 Nurses and other healthcare personnel at assistive living facilities may not appreciate that untreated hearing loss can impact the brain.2 Your local media may not be aware of the recent landmark ACHIEVE study where hearing intervention reduced cognitive change by 48% over a 3 year period in older adults at risk for cognitive decline.3 These key community contacts may not fully appreciate the benefits of the services you provide. There is a ton of information other healthcare providers in your community would welcome to hear, like to know, and proactively do something about! Commit to sharing information and spreading the word about your audiology expertise throughout your community in October by starting the planning process today.

For inspiration and ideas, a new Community Outreach resource page on the Oaktree Products website offers links to valuable resources including key findings of the recent ACHIEVE study and free-to-use infographics and animated video for your blogs, practice website, and social media platforms. From now until the end of October, Oaktree Products is offering one year’s worth of free batteries with a purchase of special PockeTalkers, a great outreach tool for local physicians to use with their own patients as needed to improve communication and facilitate a referral for your services.

References:

  1. Lin FR & Ferruci L (2012). Hearing loss and falls among older adults in the United States. Archives of Internal Medicine: 172(4):369-371.
  2. Livingston G, Huntley J, Sommerlad A, Ames D, Ballard C, Banerjee S, et al. (2020). Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2020 report of Lancet Commission. The Lancet Commissions: 396(10248):413-446
  3. Lin FR, Pike JR, Albers MS, et al. (2023). Hearing intervention versus health education control to reduce cognitive decline in older adults with hearing loss in the United States (ACHIEVE): a multicentre randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 402(10404):786-797.
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Redux: available NOW at Oaktree Products (at an incredible price)

Here’s the value proposition: reduce effort spent on moisture-related hearing aid repairs while making your patients believe you are a miracle worker! That’s the sentiment among providers who dispense and service hearing aids that invested in and currently use the Redux Pro Professional Hearing Instrument Dryer in their clinical practice. Moisture continues to be the most common reason for hearing instrument malfunction and this in-office system is the only one on the market offering verified and complete moisture removal. The patented technology creates a vacuum to lower the evaporation point of water, allowing for the system to remove all moisture and completely dry hearing instruments. The reported eight (8) minute average drying treatment is fast and efficient.

The Redux Pro Professional Hearing Instrument Dryer is self-contained, requiring no additional hardware or software, and fully operational in just four (4) steps. This innovative product is now available at Oaktree Products at a savings of up to $850!!! As a bonus, receive FREE ground shipping on the remaining Oaktree Products orders in 2022! Order online using item code REDUXPRO at www.oaktreeproducts.com or contact customers service toll free (800.347.1960) or via email (otp@oaktreeproducts.com) to place your order today.

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Find Your Audiometer Resource

Looking for an audiometer but don’t have the time to pare down options? Check out the Find Your Audiometer resource page to browse Oaktree Products’ expanding offering and quickly narrow down your search. Three main buttons systematically populate audiometers according to general capabilities, listing product models that meet certain criteria. For example, looking for an inexpensive audiometer with air conduction capabilities only? Click the SCREENING button to view available audiometers offering air conduction capabilities only. Need an audiometer with air and bone conduction capabilities only without unnecessary bells and whistles? Click the DIAGNOSTIC button. Select the ADVANCED button to populate diagnostic audiometers offering speech testing capabilities and additional built-in or add-on features.

Once populated, refer to the individual product card (pictured left) to further pare down your search according to some key feature descriptions. Do you have a preference for a PC-based audiometer? Check out those audiometers with “PC-based” appearing in the bottom left hand corner of the product card by clicking the card. It will take you to the specific product page where you can learn more about that particular audiometer. The individual product cards make it really easy to find two-channel audiometers, audiometers equipped with automatic testing capabilities, rechargeable audiometers, even audiometers with a built-in real-ear measurement system. Check it all out at the Oaktree Products Find Your Audiometer resource page!

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Lighted Curette with Rechargeable Light Source

Love your lighted curettes but tired of losing your light source? Check out the LightBeam, a disposable lighted ear curette system for professionals equipped with a rechargeable LED light source. While in the charging base, the light source will glow BLUE while charging. After 30 minutes, the light source will be fully charged and glow GREEN. When fully charged, the light source has a battery life of 50 minutes. Polycarbonate curettes connect to the light source via a threaded connection for a secure fit. The disposable curettes come in a variety of loop and spoon styles (scroll down to view styles) with each curetted numbered at the base (immediately above the threaded portion) to help quickly identify curette style for easy re-ordering. Patented tweezer attachments are also available.

The LightBeam Starter Set includes one rechargeable light source, one charging base with cable, one magnifier, and a variety pack of 50 curettes (six curettes of eight different styles plus two tweezers). Refill lighted curettes (without the light source) may be purchased separately as a variety pack or in packs of 50 of the same style curette. In stock and available at Oaktree Products; for more information, contact customer service toll free at 800.347.1960 or via email at otp@oaktreeproducts.com.

Pro tip: the light source should be placed in the charger when not in use to ensure a full charge at all times.

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Thanks to Three B.K.’s

The following is an excerpt from my speech delivered during the Honors & Awards Banquet on Thursday, March 31, 2022 while accepting the 2022 Samuel F. Lybarger Industry Award from the American Academy of Audiology.

I have had some time to reflect on my career and a million different dots needed to connect for me to stand before you at the podium this evening as this year’s recipient of the Samuel F. Lybarger Industry Award. It’s impossible to list every “dot” but there are three that played a significant supporting role in empowering me to give back to the profession of audiology in an apparently meaningful way. Interestingly, all three “dots” involve the initials “B.K.”.

When I started the graduate program at Cleveland State University, pursing a master’s degree in Audiology, there was a newly hired assistant professor in Dr. Bharti Katbamna. She was the first (and only) person who pulled me aside one day and said, “You should seriously consider pursuing a Ph.D.”  That quick comment reframed my mindset over the course of a weekend and changed the trajectory of professional opportunities for which I am so grateful.

So, I decided to purse a Ph.D. at the University of Cincinnati where the universe gifted me with the second B.K. in my mentor Dr. Robert (Bob) Keith.  From day one, Dr. Keith taught me to give back to the profession of audiology without expecting anything in return because “that’s what you do”. While collaborating on several HIV/AIDS research projects, he instilled my desire to educate and advocate. I remain indebted to Bob for the many lessons he taught me that made me a better audiologist and better researcher.

Finally, the third “B.K.’ is not one person but a small group of individuals I will refer to as the “band of Kemps”.  Nearly 20 years ago, through an interesting sequence of event, Bob Kemp and Margy Kemp invited me to join the Oaktree Products family.  They apparently saw something special in me and I most certainly saw something in them which was the commitment to give back to the profession of audiology without expecting much in return.  For nearly two decades, Bob and Margy not only provided me with the flexibility, but with the resources and support to give back to the profession of audiology beyond my responsibilities to the company.  And while both Bob and Margy are now retired, that commitment lives on through their sons Michael and David Kemp who are now driving the Oaktree Products bus and I hope to be along for the ride for as long as they’ll have me. 

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New Solution for Your Ultrasonic Machine

Due to recent increased EPA restrictions, many manufacturers have moved away from private label bottling their chemicals.  The bad news? This has affected the very popular Audiologist’s Choice Ultrasonic Disinfectant Concentrate. After exhausting every option, this product is no longer available. The good news? Oaktree Products was able to source a comparable product called DECON-QUAT. Here is what you need to know:

ACTIVE INGREDIENTS:

Both Audiologist’s Choice Ultrasonic Disinfectant and DECON-QUAT are EPA-registered quaternary ammonium-based concentrates. The main difference is DECON-QUAT is bottled at a higher concentration of quaternary-ammonium. While an 8oz bottle of DECON-QUAT will cost more, it will make 6x more solution (16 gallons) than an 8oz bottle of Audiologist’s Choice Ultrasonic Disinfectant (2.67 gallons). At the end of the day, both end up costing essentially the same in the long run.

HOW MANY BOTTLES TO ORDER:

Depending on the capacity of your ultrasonic machine and frequency of replenishment, one (1) 8oz bottle of DECON-QUAT can last anywhere from 3- to 21-months. A good starting point is to order one 8oz bottle of DECON-QUAT per dedicated clinical office to get a sense as to how many bottles to reorder in the future.  Because the concentration is higher, DECON-QUAT will last longer so order conservatively to avoid the situation where the product expires before it can be used up.

DECON-QUAT FAQs:

  • What is the active ingredient? This is a non-alcohol, quaternary ammonia (“quat”) based product, just like the Audiologist’s Choice Ultrasonic Disinfectant concentrate.
  • Is this product EPA registered? Yes.  the EPA registration number is 10324-141-68959
  • Is this product considered a hospital-grade disinfectant? Yes.  All EPA-registered disinfectants are considered hospital-grade.
  • How much solution does DECON yield compared to Audiologists Choice Ultrasonic? DECON yields 16 gallons of solution, Audiologists Choice yielded 2.67 gallons of solution.
  • How long must items soak to achieve hospital-grade disinfection (e.g. dwell time)? 10 minutes, just like the Audiologist-Choice Ultrasonic Disinfectant concentrate.
  • What are the mixing instructions for DECON? The instructions for use on the label indicate 0.5 oz per gallon of water
  • How much concentrate do I add to my ultrasonic machine? Depending on the ultrasonic machine’s capacity, anywhere from 1 to 4 capfuls of DECON concentrate (NOTE: pour DECON capfuls in ultrasonic first, then add water). Assuming a new batch of ultrasonic solution is prepared each week, an 8oz bottle of DECON-QUAT will make 20 to 80 new batches which ends up being anywhere from a 3-month to 21-month supply.

ITEM#DESCRIPTIONCAPACITYCAPFUL/ batchMAX LIFE CYCLE*
B200Bransonic15 oz (less than 1 pint or = 0.47 quarts) 180 batches (18-21 months)
1780Gemoro Sparkle Spa1 pint (= 0.5 quarts) 180 batches (18 to 21 months)
CE-200AJeken Digital1.5 quart 326-27 batches (6 months)
1785Gemoro1.2 quart 240 batches (8 months)
1787Gemoro Heated2.6 quart 420 batches (3-4 months)
*assumes new batch of solution made every week
  • The “mixing by capful” guide uses more concentrate than require. Is this a problem? Our “mixing by capful” guide was designed to be practical; for example, if an ultrasonic machine with a capacity of 1.5 quarts ended up needing 2.79 capfuls of concentrate, we rounded up to 3 capfuls to make it easy for the provider the make the solution.

If there is more concentrate added, the solution will be stronger but that is not a problem.  EPA claims listed on product labeling outlines minimum dilutions.  Mixing a solution with more concentrate than called for will kill the same microorganisms without any negative effects. 

  • What if I don’t feel comfortable with the “mixing by capful” approach?  If mixing the concentrate according to labeled instruction is preferred, the most practical approach is to mix ½ ounce of concentrate (0.5 oz) in a gallon of water and to use that solution to fill and replenish the ultrasonic machine as needed until it’s time to mix a new gallon batch.
  • How long will one bottle of DECON last? Depends on the capacity of your ultrasonic machine and how often you change out the solution.  Assuming one new batch of solution per week, find the row that best corresponds to the capacity of the customer’s ultrasonic machine and refer to LIFECYCLE column for ballpark estimate of how long one bottle of DECON will last.
  • Is there an expiration date? A smaller white label with a QR code is located toward the top of the bottle.  The last line has the letters “EXP”; the date following these letters indicates the expiration date which is listed as DAY-MONTH-YEAR (e.g. 01-Jun-2023).
  • What is the shelf-life of DECON? See expiration date on the bottle. (NOTE: it is an EPA requirement for chemicals to have expiration dates from the date of manufacture which is usually 2 years.  If someone performed assay testing, it is highly likely the product would be considered effective even after the expiration date. Since assay testing is not commercially available, we cannot recommend using DECON past the expiration date).
  • What is the use/re-use guideline for DECON? Once mixed, the solution is good for up to 30 days, but it should be changed out if the solution appears unclear or murky.  Most change the solution out weekly (or sooner as needed).
  • How do you dispose of the solution? The SDS sheet in section 13 indicates to dispose used solution ‘in a safe manner in accordance with local/national regulations.’  This may be as simple as pouring it down the sink with running water although different localities have different rules and a general recommendation is not available.  Proceed in in accordance with local or federal regulations.

For more information or to place an order for DECON-QUAT, contact Oaktree Products toll free 800.347.1960 or via email at otp@oaktreeeproducts.com

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NEW: Audiologist’s Choice Aud-Gel

Oaktree Products has introduced a new product within the Audiologist’s Choice flagship brand. Audiologist’s Choice Aud-Gel is a greaseless lubricant designed to make insertion of earmolds, hearing aids, custom ear plugs, hearables, and other earpieces easier. As a lubricant, Audiologist’s Choice Aud-Gel can also help create an effective seal to help reduce feedback while making instruments more comfortable to wear. The 0.5oz bottle has directions printed on the back and is sold by the each or in a countertop display of 12.

The Audiologist’s Choice brand includes key products used by audiologists every day including impression material, anti-itch cream, and ear wax removal systems. Click Audiologist’s Choice Brand for a complete list of the brand offering from Oaktree Products.

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