Category Archives: Infection Control

The Connection of Ebola Virus to Audiology

Posted on October 9, 2014 by AU Bankaitis

Mainly reported in the countries of Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia, the arrival of Ebola haemorrhagic fever to the United States is making people feel a little uneasy and a bit scared. While this disease may be perceived as new, the Ebola … Continue reading →

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The Infection Control Garbage Term

Posted on August 27, 2014 by AU Bankaitis

When asked by a colleague whether or not something needs to be “sanitized” prior to reuse in the audiology or hearing aid clinic, I often stop and think, “Is this a trick question?” The verb “sanitize” may be defined as “to … Continue reading →

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Get Your Audiology Practice Under Control

Posted on April 30, 2014 by AU Bankaitis

If you are an audiologist, hearing aid instrument specialist, or AuD student involved in the provision of patient care services, do me a favor and access the current written infection control plan at your work or clinical externship site. Can’t … Continue reading →

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Audiology Infection Control: What Do You Suggest We Do When….

Posted on May 15, 2013 by AU Bankaitis

The following question posed by AuD students during an infection control presentation has been popping up, in one form or another, more often: “What do you suggest we do when we, as students, are at a clinical site that doesn’t practice infection control?” Since … Continue reading →

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Five Key Points of Infection Control

Posted on March 28, 2012 by AU Bankaitis

In response to the AIDS epidemic, Universal Precautions  issued by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) issued in the mid 1980’s were designed to protect healthcare workers specifically from blood borne pathogens.  These precautions were eventually expanded upon to protect healthcare … Continue reading →

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Disposable Audiology Supplies: Bringing It All Together!

Posted on September 21, 2011 by AU Bankaitis

NOTE: this post originally was published in September 21, 2011.  As of August 1, 2014, the Disposable Audiology Supplies Brochure mentioned in this post is no longer in print although Customer Service at Oaktree Products can provide you with product … Continue reading →

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Ultrasonic Cleaners

Posted on August 31, 2011 by AU Bankaitis

Audiologists rely on the use of ultrasonic machines  to clean or disinfectobjects that can be  immersed in a liquid solution.  Items to be cleaned are placed in the solution residing in the ultrasonic tank. The tank is then turned on to activate the ultrasonic cleaning mechanism. … Continue reading →

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Cool New Portable Hearing Aid Sanitizer & Deodorizer

Posted on June 22, 2011 by AU Bankaitis

The ear is a dark, warm moist place where bacteria and other germs (some good, some bad) like to grow.  These microorganisms can easily contaminate hearing instrument and/or earmold surfaces where they can continue to thrive and grow.  Since hearing instruments are designed … Continue reading →

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