Uncertain About Amplified Stethoscopes? #AskOaktree

Posted on March 9, 2016 by AU Bankaitis

solutionsFinding a suitable amplified stethoscope solution for medical professionals with hearing loss remains a challenge.  Oaktree Products, a multi-line distributor of over 4000 hearing healthcare products, handles at least 12-15 inquiries a day from audiologists seeking information about amplified stethoscope product solutions and recommendations.  With both the hearing instruments and stethoscope earpieces residing in the same location, things often get tricky. Even with a streamer, special considerations must be addressed like hearing instrument programming strategies, accessory needs, and hearing instrument style limitations for optimal performance.

stethoscopeWith that in mind, the Oaktree Products website now offers a special resource section on amplified stethoscopes. The compiled information represents the most frequently asked questions posed by audiologists including background information on auscultation and considerations in the presence of audiometric needs. Amplified stethoscope options as a function of hearing instrument model (i.e custom versus open fit) both with or without a streamer are outlined along with suggestions for hearing instrument programming considerations for optimal success.

Oaktree logocircle-1What is your take on amplified stethoscopes? Have you found viable amplified stethoscope solutions for medical professionals or medical students with hearing loss currently using hearing instruments? Do you have any advice for your fellow audiologists who may be interested in offering amplified stethoscopes in their clinical practice?  Oaktree Products would like to hear about your experience, advice and/or questions you may have on amplified stethoscopes. Share your two-cents in the comments section of this blog as well as on the Oaktree’s Facebook Page or on Twitter using #AskOaktree

Posted in Amplified Stethoscopes | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Getting a Handle on the Difference Between A versus C – guest post by Dave Kemp

Posted on March 2, 2016 by AU Bankaitis

A vs CAs the newest member of the Oaktree Products Family, I am busy getting my product knowledge up to speed.  Recently, a customer called to #AskOaktree what the difference was between the silver Welch Allyn 71000-A full-size otoscope handle versus the silver Welch Allyn 71000-C full size handle. This is a great question because at a quick glance, these handles look identical.  Also, it is one of the first questions I asked my Oaktree Products co-workers back in January so it seems like the perfect opportunity to share with all of you a little bit of the #AskOaktree knowledge.

CJ-WelchAllyn_WA71000-A_img03_highBoth the Welch Allyn 71000-A and 71000-C full-size otoscope handles look exactly alike. As shown in the figure to the left, both handles are comprised of the same top cap, battery charging module, handle tube sub assembly, and bottom cap.  In addition, both handles use the same exact rechargeable NiCad battery (item #72300, color-coded orange).  The charging instructions for both handles are the same. For all practical purposes, the Welch Allyn 71000-A and the 71000-C are the same handle with one teeny-tiny difference that actually translates into quite a huge feature in terms of providing a handy benefit.

71000-C battery convertorThe Welch Allyn 71000-C is a convertible handle that is designed to work with either a rechargeable NiCad battery OR two size “C” Alkaline batteries. This is accomplished by using the battery converter accessory (pictured right) that only comes packaged with the 71000-C handle. Without the battery converter, the 71000-C handle appears and functions no different than the 71000-A.  In those instances where the user needs to use Alkaline batteries to power the otoscope (i.e. mission trips, forgetting to re-charge the handle at the end of the day), the battery charging module must be unscrewed from the handle and replaced with the battery converter accessory. The NiCad battery must then be removed and replaced with two size “C” Alkaline batteries. If you already own a 71000-A handle, keep in mind that you can purchase the battery converter accessory for about $25.  So now you know the difference between the “A” and the “C” and what options you have in case of an otsocope emergency!

dave kempDave Kemp is Manager of Business Development at Oaktree Products where he works with Marketing and Customer Service to ensure customers have access to necessary resources and tools for business success.  Dave helps develop content for Oaktree’s corporate YouTube and Social Media channels (@Oaktree_Dave), helps manage the Oaktree Products website and associated E-commerce efforts, and represents the company at various state and national conferences and shows. He has a background in Sales and Marketing. Prior to joining Oaktree Products, Dave served as an Account Partner at Market Track providing strategic promotional planning to key accounts. Most recently, he was an Account Executive for Marketwired involved in the provision of news distribution and social communication solutions to public relations, business investors and marketing professionals. He has a passion for technology, sports and traveling the world.

Posted in Audiology, Guest Blog Posts, Otoscopes, Headlamps & Earlights | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Leave Your Mark Wherever and Whenever You Can

Posted on February 24, 2016 by AU Bankaitis

your logo hereIn today’s Audiology world of big-box retailers and disruptive technology, building YOUR brand or improving your current brand identity has become more critical. If you are in private practice and do not have an established logo, now it the time to have one created. There are zillion numbers of resources available for business to turn to in creating a meaningful logo; if you are looking for help from a branding company familiar with Audiology, check out AudiologyDesign. They can help you with your website too.

custom labelsIn the meantime, it is important to leave your mark wherever and whenever you can. As outlined in a previous guest blog post by Serge Traylor, make the competition compete with you. Part of this involves putting your practice name on anything meaningful. For example, Oaktree Products introduced three new custom labeled products including a small dehumidifier (item# C100), 2 oz hearing aid spray (item# C200), and a box of 30 Audiowipes (item# C300).  When you order a minimum quantity of 12, send your color logo and Oaktree Products will print it off and label your resale accessories with your brand. It adds a very personal touch that your patients will certainly appreciate. Place your order online 24/7 at www.oaktreeproducts.com or contact customer service toll free 800.347.1960.  If you have any questions and are social media savvy, use #AskOaktree and we will get back to you asap.

 

Posted in Audiology, Hearing Aid Dehumidifiers & Moisture Protection, Infection Control | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Leave Your Mark Wherever and Whenever You Can

Free IC Resources

Posted on February 17, 2016 by AU Bankaitis

written-planIt is still early enough in the New Year to finally make sure your written infection control plan is up-to-date (or actually created). The Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires facilities that provide patient care services to have a written infection control plan.  Not sure how to start? Access the recently recorded, free-to-view webinars Understanding the Components of the Written Infection Control Plan at AudiologyOnline. The 1-hour webinar reviews each of the six written infection control plan sections with a focus
on implementation of protocols in the audiology clinic.  Be sure to check out otp greenthe Infection Control Resource Section of the new Oaktree Products website. Oaktree Products also offers free tools to help patients recognize the importance of infection control when it comes to hearing aid care; be sure to ask customer service about these items too!

Posted in Audiology, Infection Control | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Free IC Resources

Perfect Product with an extra WOW!

Posted on February 10, 2016 by AU Bankaitis

pretty packageAs audiologists, we all know the benefits moisture protection as it relates to peak performance of hearing instruments. Moisture from any number of sources can compromise or damage device circuitry, creating the need for hearing instrument repair and generating general annoyance for the wearer.  Convincing our patients the importance of using some type of a dehumidifier as part of a daily hearing instrument care routine may go to the wayside far too often. If you can’t get your patients to commit to an effective moisture-protection routine, entice them with an ergonomically sleek dehumidifier that looks cool all the way down to its packaging.

The PerfectDry Lux is an easy-to-set-up and easy-to-use electronic dehumidifier
packaged in a way that makes you feel like you now own a really cool product.  This may
DryLux boxnot seem like much of a selling point but for whatever it is worth, I still recall the very first time I opened this dehumidifier; it felt like I was unpackaging something from the Apple Store.  That experience gave me the impression that I was about to own a really sophisticated product.  I even thought to myself “I want one of these and I’m not even a hearing instrument user”.

Certainly, pretty packaging isn’t enough to make a product viable yet the PerfectDry Lux packs a punch and delivers a really good product for hearing instrument care.  This
dehumidifier uses forced-air fan drying (45°C or 113°F) to pull moisture from the hearing forced airinstrument in a manner that reduces the time necessary for the hearing instrument to dry. Rather than the usual 8 hour cycle, the PerfectDry Lux accomplishes effective moisture protection with the choice of two cycles: 1) 30-minute fast dry cycle, or 2) 1-hour intense cycle. No desiccant is required either.

Beyond moisture protection, the PerfectDry Lux offers a 360 UV-C Lamp to disinfect hearing instrument surfaces. Ultraviolet (UV) light is part of the light spectrum which can 000016be categorized into one of three types: UV-A, UV-B or UV-C.  The UV-C Lamp in the PerfectDry Lux generates the necessary short light waves to effectively kill bacteria, viruses and other pathogens on hearing instrument surfaces.  This is a nice bonus for hearing instrument users dealing with itchy ears and serves as an additional means of minimizing ear canal infections from cross-contamination(see “What’s Growing on your Patients’ Hearing Aids?”).  Check out the Oaktree Products YouTube Channel to access the short video on how the PerfectDry Lux works.

The sweet deal for audiologists out there is the PerfectDry Lux (item# 000016) is now available at a new lower price than before from Oaktree Products; basically, you really
can’t get it for less anywhere else. On top of that, there are no minimums.  If you want one, the price per unit is the same as if you were buying the usual purchase CSR-all green 2minimums of five units for best pricing.  Not a bad way to kick it up a notch for your hearing instrument wearing patients.  For pricing and more information, contact Oaktree Products at 800.347.1960 and ask for customer service (pictured right).  You can also login to our new website to see your pricing. Share your experience with this product on Facebook and Twitter using #AskOaktree. It’s the perfect product for your patients who need or could use a little more WOW!

Posted in Hearing Aid Dehumidifiers & Moisture Protection | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Delight your hearing aid patients: Get them in the loop! – guest post by Juliëtte Sterkens, AuD

Posted on January 6, 2016 by AU Bankaitis

imageHearing loops have been in the news lately and for good reasons.  When hearing aids receive the sound broadcast directly, be it from the TV or the pulpit in a church – hearing aid users’ speech recognition improves dramatically.  A recent survey in the Hearing Review asked 866 people to rate the performance of their t-coil equipped hearing aids or cochlear implants using a 10-point scale. Their average response was 4.9 in a non-looped setting and 8.7 in a looped environment. In addition, Mark Ross has written imageextensively about the benefits of telecoils as have Doug Beck and Preben Brunved. Sergei Kochkin of the Better Hearing Institute has long advocated for increased utility of hearing aids and envisions a future with “ miniaturized universal wireless receivers in every hearing aid.” Brian Taylor mentioned looping in one of his “pillar-of-the-community” articles.

How to get your community in the loop you ask? Here are a few suggestions to get you started:

  1. Read how Dr. David Myers, who uses hearing aids, brought hearing loops to his community in Holland MI.
  2. Read my Roadmap to a Looped Community in Audiology Today. Successful looping practices familiarize each patient with the telecoil benefits, provide a hearing loop handout, share the www.loopfinder.com app and take 5 minutes to demonstrate the hearing loop in the waiting room.
  3. Get your patients involved by offering the Let’s Loop America’s Worship Centers  article and ask them to take a copy to  their House of Worship (copies are available from loop vendors or directly from Julietee Sterkens). Encourage patients to speak up when they are unable to hear in a public venue by offering the Share-the-Gift-of-Hearing cards. Ask patients what local venues are important to them and keep a list.
  4. Bring hearing loops to attention of your community by presenting a “Get in the Loop” lecture to area Rotary, Sertoma clubs and church groups. Hearing Loss Association of America members will gladly help carry the hearing loop torch – find a local chapter HLAA chapter here. The American Academy of Audiology offers a free PowerPoint slide show  and  an informative patient handout.
  5. Donate a hearing loop to your local Senior Center or a community meeting room. Get creative – loop a local movie house and in return ask for free advertising.  TV loops like the UniVox CLS-1 Loop Amplifer are easily installed.  Large area hearing loops however, have to meet the IEC 60118-4  standard and require trained hearing loop vendors. If there is no installer in your area, you might be able to interest a local A/V contractor with this Sound & Communications article. Familiarize yourself with what is involved with a professional loop installations so that you can offer advice in the community.
  6. Offer patients not yet in need of amplification loop listening devices. The new WilliamsSound Pocketalker (PKT2.0) is equipped with a telecoil and an affordable solution.  Be sure to check out and order a few LoopBuds once they hit the US Market. These special T-coil equipped earphones from www.OTOjOY.com will transform a smart phone into a loop listening device. This way even CIC and Lyric instrument users will be able to benefit from hearing loops!

Questions? Need a letter of support for a hearing loop in your community? Was asked a question about looping you don’t know how to answer? I am happy to help you.
Email Juliette Sterkens, AuD  jsterkens@new.rr.com

Jsterkens-realimageThis blog post was contributed by Dr. Juliette Sterkens. She retired after 26 years in her Oshkosh, WI private audiology practice and currently is on her encore career as the Hearing Loss Association of America National Hearing Loop Advocate. Her Loop Wisonsin  website offers useful information for consumers and audiologists.  She received numerous awards for her hearing loop advocacy work including the Wisconsin Audiologist of the Year, Arizona School of Health Sciences 2013 Humanitarian of the Year, the American Academy of Audiology Presidential Award and the UW-Oshkosh Distinguished Alumni Award. Her work has led to over 500 hearing loop installations in Wisconsin and many more around the US.

Posted in Guest Blog Posts, Hearing Assistance Technology | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Happy Thanksgiving

Posted on November 26, 2015 by AU Bankaitis

Five orange pumpkins sit in a row in front of a distressed, wooden background.

enjoy today & take a moment to give thanks.  au

Posted in About A.U. | Comments Off on Happy Thanksgiving

PockeTalker gets more than just a makeover

Posted on November 18, 2015 by AU Bankaitis

0014997-pocketalker-20-with-headphonesWilliams Sound recently introduced a third version of the popular PockeTalker called the PockeTalker 2.0. How is it different from the PockeTalker Pro and the PockeTalker Ultra? At first glance, the new PockeTalker 2.0 (PKT2.0) looks completely different (spoiler alert: it’s white and ergonomically shaped to fit more comfortably in the user’s hand). In addition, the microphone is located internally so the microphone no longer protrudes from the top as seen with the PockeTalker Pro and PockeTalker Ultra. The PKT2.0 does have an external microphone port that will accommodate a plug-in mount microphone (included in packaging) although it does not have to be plugged in to use the device.

cwtype-FeaturesLooks aren’t everything so let’s get to a few more features unique to the PKT2.0.  First, the PKT 2.0 has a built-in T-coil. The T-coil switch is located on the side of unit.  When switched to the ON position, the PKT2.0 disables the microphone input and picks up the signal in the loop.  Second, it offers an extended high and low frequency range.  Third, the PKT2.0 includes a balance adjustment trimpot to allow the volume to be adjusted as needed between the right versus left headphone.

Worth_NotingAlthough not unique to the PKT2.0, another feature worth noting is the PKT2.0, like the original PockeTalker Pro, is rechargeable ready.  Whereas all three PockeTalker models can use rechargeable batteries, only the PKT2.0 and the PockeTalker Pro are equipped with charging ports located on the side of each unit.  Rechargeable battery kits specific to the PockeTalker 2.0 (item BATKT7) and PockeTalker Pro (item BATKT3) are available (sold separately) which allow the user to recharge their batteries without needing to take them out of the compartment.  This is not an option for the PockeTalker Ultra. NOTE:  If the decision is made to use rechargeable batteries with the PKT2.0, the battery switch located inside the battery compartment must be switched from the ALK to the NIMH position. For more information or to order your PKT2.0, contact customer service at Oaktree Products toll free 800.347.1960.

Microsoft Word - PockeTalker 2-3.docx

Posted in Audiology, Hearing Assistance Technology | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments