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.

Listening Tube for Audiologists with Hearing Loss – guest post by Laura Schauer, AuD

Posted on August 6, 2020 by AU Bankaitis

As a graduate audiology student with cochlear implants, I struggled with performing listening checks on hearing aids because traditional listening tubes route signals through the ear canal. I tried attaching tubing to FM systems and remote microphones but listening to … Continue reading →

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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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Maximize Distance During Otoscopy

Posted on May 29, 2020 by AU Bankaitis

Otoscopy is an essential and routine procedure performed by audiologists that inherently places the provider’s face in close proximity to the patient’s face. With the ongoing emphasis of social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, invest in a video otoscope if … 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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