Author Archives: AU Bankaitis

About AU Bankaitis

A.U. Bankaitis, PhD is a clinical Audiologist with extensive clinical, research, and business experience within the hearing industry. She is Vice President of Oaktree Products, a multi-line distributor of audiology supplies and screening/diagnostic test equipment. Dr. Bankaitis created this blog to educate her colleagues and providers in the hearing health care industry on viable product solutions for their patients and/or clinical practice.

Band Together to Prevent Hearing Loss – guest post by Peytra Osetinsky & Lorie D’Elia

Posted on September 3, 2014 by AU Bankaitis

Band Week at most college campuses is typically filled with tryouts, uniform fittings, and very long practices. That’s how band camp for the University of Akron’s marching band had been in the past. This year it was a bit different. … 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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How do you CYA during Otoscopy?

Posted on August 20, 2014 by AU Bankaitis

When performing audiometric testing, thresholds are recorded on an audiogram. Immittance testing often yields a printed version of the tympanogram. Auditory evoked potential testing reports are typically accompanied by a copy of the corresponding waveforms. The electroacoustic performance of a … Continue reading →

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Tools to Help Your Patients Understand

Posted on August 13, 2014 by AU Bankaitis

What would be the most efficient way to present information to patients about their hearing so that they understand the intent of the message being relayed? Verbally reviewing the results of audiometric testing with the  audiogram as a visual tool is something patients most likely expect; who … Continue reading →

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Spotlight Blog Post – Private Practice Audiologist Karen Jacobs, AuD

Posted on August 6, 2014 by AU Bankaitis

Over the course of my professional career, I have met some very interesting and cool audiologists. Early on, when I was a “newbie”, I had a tendency to only talk “audiology shop” with whomever I could because I wanted to … Continue reading →

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Hearing Aid Stigma – Patient’s Perspective

Posted on July 16, 2014 by AU Bankaitis

Hearing instrument technology has certainly come a long way over the past ten years.  Digital advances have made hearing instruments more versatile, offering consumers wireless connection to other devices including Smartphones and audio devices. Hearing instruments have also become smaller and re-designed to be … Continue reading →

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Hearing Protection that is TRU Blue, Pink & Smoke

Posted on July 9, 2014 by AU Bankaitis

Looking for hearing protection that maintains sound quality across the frequency spectrum so you can enjoy listening to live music, sporting events, movies and/or other recreational activities? The TRU Universal WR20 Earplugs are a great off-the-shelf solution, offering full-frequency hearing protection for mid-level … Continue reading →

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Goals – Who need ’em? – guest post by Gyl Kasewurm

Posted on July 2, 2014 by AU Bankaitis

Most people spend more time planning their vacations than they do planning their lives. If you asked my husband about his golf vacation, he would tell you every explicit detail about the trip; however, if you ask him when he … Continue reading →

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