Category Archives: Infection Control

Disinfecting Hearing Aids with UV Light: Yes or No? – A.U. Bankaitis, PhD & Lori Zitelli, AuD

Posted on August 27, 2020 by AU Bankaitis

A wide range of microbes (e.g. bacteria, viruses, fungi) grow on hearing aid surfaces1,2 and audiologists and other providers should either clean and disinfect hearing aids prior to handling devices with bare hands, or put on a pair of gloves … Continue reading →

Posted in Audiology, Hearing Aid Dehumidifiers & Moisture Protection, Hearing Assistance Technology, Infection Control | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

ClearMask Clarification

Posted on June 25, 2020 by AU Bankaitis

The ClearMask is comprised of a rectangular piece of anti-fog plastic film with two individual foam pieces (see A and B in the figure on the right) adhered on the inside portion of the mask. The thinner foam piece (A) … Continue reading →

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New Clear Mask Called ClearMask™ Available

Posted on June 22, 2020 by AU Bankaitis

Wearing a mask is necessary to minimize the spread of COVID-19. Unfortunately, solid masks covering the mouth introduce significant obstacles for the nearly 40 million Americans with hearing loss.  Depending on the type (e.g. medical vs N95), masks attenuate high … Continue reading →

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Masking Dilemma

Posted on May 28, 2020 by AU Bankaitis

Implemented in 1996, Standard Precautions represent the minimum precautions applicable to all patients in any type of setting, and include guidelines on the use of masks.1 Unfortunately, the speed and ease in which the COVID-19 virus spreads among people has … Continue reading →

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Patient and Parent Anxiety During COVID-19

Posted on May 19, 2020 by AU Bankaitis

More than a handful of colleagues have asked for advice on how to respond to questions posed by patients or parents about properly cleaning hearing aids in the midst of COVID-19. It is perfectly normal to feel anxiety during these … Continue reading →

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Skip the Kit: Quick Access to Products is Key

Posted on May 14, 2020 by AU Bankaitis

As business resumes, demand for key infection control products outpaces supply. While many are looking for the same things, the majority only need one or two particular items. Rather than offering an infection control kit at this time, Oaktree Products … Continue reading →

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Infection Control Anxiety: Acceptable Alternatives to Critical Supplies

Posted on May 4, 2020 by AU Bankaitis

updated May 6, 2020 with updates appearing in bold italics (originally posted May 4, 2020) As preparations are made to reopen clinical practices, many may be experiencing a new source of anxiety about workplace safety due to delayed access to … Continue reading →

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Qualified Disinfectants for COVID-19

Posted on April 14, 2020 by AU Bankaitis

Many audiologists are asking which surface disinfectants are effective in killing COVID-19. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the specific coronavirus strain which causes COVID-19.1 In the absence of a current Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) test protocol to … Continue reading →

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