Gift of Listening with HeardIT! – guest post by Liz Alessi

Posted on November 4, 2015 by AU Bankaitis

hear brainListening is a learned skill and just like any muscle of the body, it is beneficial for individuals to exercise their “listening muscles”. This is particularly important for individuals with hearing loss, a condition that can lead to social isolation or depression when left untreated. For hearing instrument wearers, it takes time to adjust to amplification as the brain adjusts to incoming auditory signals that have been previously missed. Auditory listening programs have shown to help individuals improve listening skills and it makes sense to encourage patients to take advantage of available tools. It from this perspective that the concept of HeardIT! was born.

HardIT logoHeardIT! is a brain training program disguised as a game and designed to help individuals hone their listening skills by exercising specifics parts of the brain.  Originally developed for wounded warriors with mild traumatic brain injuries, HeardIT! resembles the trivia games often found in bars and taverns.  Participants are exposed to four sentences per clue and must choose the correct answer from a closed set.  This program is built on a “success bias algorithm” where participants practice and win challenges tailored to their specific abilities. HeardIT! contains over 500 questions in 12 different trivia categories that may be presented in 23 different Signal-to-Noise (SNR) settings. Preliminary research in normal hearing students showed significant improvements in listening skills for Speech-In-Noise within twelve 20-minute sessions completed in a time period of three weeks using the a Windows-based HeardIT! Prototype.

Available in a Windows version, efforts are currently focused on developing a downloadable IOS and Android version of HeardIT!. To learn more about the program, access official HeardIT! webiste calledVirtual Reality Rehab. For those of you interested in learning more about App development timelines of the program, check out the HeardIT! Trivia Game Kickstarter.

liz picLiz Alessi is founder and owner of Virtual Reality Rehab, a software development company with a niche interest in auditory listening products. A software developer herself, Liz’s interest in this area was piqued when her father started losing his hearing.  Even with hearing aids, she observed his struggles with re-learning how to listen. This interest was magnified as a result of her personal challenges with memory and auditory processing following a car accident. Liz started playing online games to help exercise her brain and the concept of HeardIT! was born from this experience along with her desire to help people with auditory listening problems like her dad.

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P.S.: It’s October! – guest post by Laurie Wells

Posted on October 28, 2015 by AU Bankaitis

Have you ever been asked to determine if a hearing loss is work-related or not? Or to review audiometric tests done by an audiometric technician at a work site? Or to identify an OSHA recordable hearing shift? While very few audiologists claim full time employment in an occupational setting (Sector Intelligence, 2014), it’s likely that most clinical audiologists have been involved in some way, shape, or form, with the sub-specialty some call occupational audiology.  On the surface, these types of requests from employers may seem straight forward; after all, it’s just a matter of complying with the regulatory requirements, right? Well, there is more than meets the ear when it comes to providing appropriate, efficacious occupational audiology services.  Sometimes, the issues are complicated and lack clearly defined answers.  Furthermore, conflict can arise between employers who want to avoid a recordable incident and employees who have hearing health concerns. What’s a good audiologist to do?

The term “professional supervisor” or PS refers to physicians and audiologists who engage with occupational hearing conservation programs (HCPs). Initially introduced by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the term is also applies to the
Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) and the Federal Railroad Administration problem audiogram(FRA).  A primary mandatory responsibility of the PS, as defined by OSHA, is to review “problem” audiograms. This can range anywhere from an audiogram that appears unreliable or invalid to a worker’s entire hearing history when a significant decrease in hearing is revealed. Regulatory agencies allow for technicians to conduct the air conduction threshold tests, however when problems arise, the employer must seek professional oversight.
caohcFor the past decade or so, the Council for Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation (CAOHC) has offered a credential, called the Professional Supervisor of the Audiometric Monitory Program© (CPS/A) for qualifying audiologists and physicians. Earning this credential requires meeting the pre-requisites of professional and experiential qualifications, attending a one-day course, and passing an on-line exam.  While not a regulatory requirement, obtaining certification is an excellent way to get up-to-date information, relevant resources, and to have contact with subject matter experts. Holding the CPS/A designator can also be a prudent differentiator from one’s competitors and a credibility builder with prospective clients.

The scope of practice of a professional supervisor as outlined by CAOHC encompasses five categories of responsibility:

  • Establishment and supervision of an audiometric testing program
  • Review of audiograms
  • Determination of work-relatedness
  • Follow up of work-related auditory disorders
  • Management of an audiometric database

For more information on the CPS/A credential and upcoming course offerings, visit the CAOHC website: www.caohc.org. In addition, the recently updated Hearing Conservation Manual 5th Edition (CAOHC, 2014), provides detailed information useful for the professional supervisor and the occupational hearing conservationist.

The National Hearing Conservation Association (NHCA) also offers a resource, particularly helpful to those struggling with work-related determination decisions: NHCA Guidelines for Recording Hearing Loss on the OSHA 300 Log (NHCA, 2011). This document, written by a committee of professionals, addresses the OSHA regulatory requirements and offers practical recommendations for wording reports and working with employers.  The NHCA Guidelines can be retrieved from the NHCA website by clicking here.

Since October Is National Audiology Awareness Month & National Protect Your Hearing Month, it’s a perfect time to pursue the CPS/A credential, develop the expertise, and protect those noise‑exposed cochleas.  The next CAOHC PS Course is November 7, 2015 in Portland, OR.  Take action today to help prevent occupational hearing loss!

Resources:

American Academy of Audiology, Audiology Awareness and Protect Your Hearing Month, http://www.howsyourhearing.org/awareness.html.

Council for Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation (2014). The Hearing Conservation Manual 5th Edition, Hutchison, T. L., and Schulz, T. Y. Available from www.caohc.org.

Council for Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation, The Professional Supervisor Scope of Practice, http://www.caohc.org/professional-supervisors/ps-responsibilities.

National Hearing Conservation Association, 2011, Guidelines for Recording Hearing Loss on the OSHA 300 Log,   http://c.ymcdn.com/sites/www.hearingconservation.org/resource/resmgr/imported/Guidelinesforworkrelatednessdraft.pdf.

OSHA (1983). “Occupational Noise Exposure: Hearing Conservation Amendment; Final Rule,” Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 29 CFR 1910.95; 48 Fed. Reg., 9738 – 9785.

Sector Intelligence, 2013. AAA 2013 Compensation and Benefits Report. Retrieved from http://www.audiology.org/about-us/membership/benefits/compensation-benefits-survey.

laurie_wellsLaurie Wells is a Senior Acoustics Regulatory Affairs Specialist for 3M Personal Safety Division at 3M where she has global regulatory responsibility for hearing protection.  Her primary experience lies in professional review of the audiometric monitoring program and management of hearing loss prevention programs.  Laurie holds the Doctor of Audiology degree from Salus University School of Audiology and is Board Certified in Audiology.  She is a certified Professional Supervisor of the Audiometric Monitoring Program© and a certified Course Director for the Council for Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation (CAOHC).  Currently, she represents the American Academy of Audiology (AAA) on the CAOHC Council where she holds the elected position of Vice-Chair of Education.  Laurie is past-president of the National Hearing Conservation Association, and served on its board from 1999 – 2007.

 

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Situation Too Close to Call

Posted on October 21, 2015 by AU Bankaitis

There is a decision to be made where the public can cast their vote; while that seems like a straightforward approach, with the voting polls opened since Monday, October 19 and over 300 votes in, there are no front runners in this year’s Oaktree Products Catalog Cover contest.  From a total of ten submissions, it has boiled down to one of four catalog covers; the difference between the two catalogs with the most votes is three votes! There will absolutely be no hanging chads to confuse the results so get your game on and vote for your favorite. Hurry, polls close on Friday, October 23 at 11:59 pm CST.

 

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Blow Up That Firefly on a Big Screen!

Posted on September 30, 2015 by AU Bankaitis

FF-on big screenThe Firefly video otoscope is available in both a wired and a wireless version and has become extremely popular because it offers high-quality images at an affordable price. For those that own the wireless version (Item# DE-550), a relatively unknown Firefly TV-Kit is also available and certainly worth a peek. This accessory allows users to project real-time video or images from their laptop to a larger TV screen.  Since the conference room at Oaktree Products has a large 75-80″ TV screen, it seemed logical to set the Firefly TV-Kit up to test it out. As seen in the image to the right, the Firefly TV-Kit works very well and is a great addition to anyone who owns or is interested in owning a wireless Firefly video otoscope.

The Firefly TV-Kit (Item# FF-ES106) comes packaged with three components: 1) wireless receiver, 2) TV output cable, and 3) AC outlet adapter. The set-up is very straight-forward and easy. With your wireless Firefly video otoscope already set-up on your laptop, follow these four easy steps:

  1. Connect the wireless receiver to the AC outlet adapter
  2. Connect the black end of the TV Output Cable into the wireless receiver
  3. Plug the AC outlet adapter into an outlet
  4. Connect the yellow end of the TV-output cable to the video input jack on the TV

Depending on the TV, it may be necessary to select “External Video Input” as the video source from the TV menu.  To actually see how the TV-Kit is set up, go to the Oaktree Products YouTube Channel to access Wireless Firefly TV-Kit Set Up. If you are interested to see how the Firefly images compare to images obtained with the Welch Allyn Digital MacroView Video Otoscope, check out the the Talking PowerPoint Video Otoscope Comparison on the Oaktree Products YouTube Channel.

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50% Chance of Sleeping Through Working Smoke Detector

Posted on September 23, 2015 by AU Bankaitis

SNHL-mildNext time you come across an audiogram showing a mild to moderate high frequency hearing loss, remind yourself and be sure to communicate to your patient that research shows there is about a 50% chance they will not be aroused by their smoke detector during a residential fire. The majority of residential fire fatalities occur between 11 pm and 7 am when most people are sleeping and, therefore, not wearing their hearing instruments. In the absence of mandated frequency requirements, the majority of commercially available smoke detectors emit a 3,000 to 4,000 Hz signal.  While signals generated by smoke detectors may objectively seem “plenty loud”, add to the mix the need for auditory signals to be on the order of at least 40 dB above thresholds to effectively arouse individual’s from sleep and suddenly there is a perfect storm just waiting to happen.

flames backgroundWhat’s an audiologist to do?  First, educate yourself on the safety issues of how even a mild to moderate high frequency hearing loss interferes with smoke detector efficacy. Several resources are available including a relatively short but to-the-point article “Alarming Facts Audiologist Must Know” via Audiology Today (2010 Jan-Feb; 22(1): 40-5).  In addition, a free-to-view webinar “Alarming Facts About Smoke Detectors” is also available via AudiologyOnline. Communicate this information to your patients so they become aware of this issue.

HLAC151Second, whether they wear hearing instruments or not, be prepared to provide your patients with access to products incorporating critical signal components research shows to be effective in arousing individual with hearing loss during sleep. While there are a number of smoke detectors specifically marketed to the hearing-impaired population, look for bed-side products designed to work with existing residential smoke detectors products capable of emitting a 520Hz square wave with bedshaker.  Currently, there are three hc-ca360-c2product options available that meet this criteria: 1) the Lifetone HL Fire Alarm & Clock (Item# HLAC151), 2) Serene Central Alert Wireless System (Item# CA-360) with Audio Alarm Sensor (Item# CA-CX) accessory which is also sold as a bundle (Item# CA-360Fire), and 3) the SafeAwake Smoke and Fire Aid (Item# SART9V1).  All three products detect the required T3-signals emitted by properly-installed residential smoke detectors SART9V1sold in the United States and, in turn, generate a loud, 520Hz square wave signal at bedside. Both products come packaged with a bed shaker, offering a vibrotactileaccompaniment to the low frequency, square wave signal. For more information about either product, contact Oaktree Products toll free 800.347.1960 and ask for customer service. You very well could save a life.

 

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What are Work Practice Controls & How Do I Create Them?

Posted on September 16, 2015 by AU Bankaitis

stepWork practice controls are profession-specific, written procedures that outline how audiology-related services will be executed in a manner consistent with minimizing the potential spread of disease or cross-contamination.  The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires facilities providing patient care services to have and maintain a written infection control plan; one of the six required sections specifically calls for the inclusion of clinic-specific work practice controls. Since every clinic will differ in terms of breadth of service provided, the number of work practice control to be included in a written plan will depend on the number of services provided by a specific clinic.

To get started, make a comprehensive list of all the services your specific clinic provides. For example, if your clinic dispenses hearing instruments, what other related services are routinely offered? The list you create will be specific to your own clinic and may include the following:

  1. Hearing instrument cleaning
  2. Hearing instrument verification via real ear
  3. Electroacoustic measurements
  4. Hearing aid listening checks
  5. Creating earmold impressions
  6. Drop-off hearing instrument service
  7. Earmold or hearing instrument modifications

repeatThis process is then repeated for other general services your specific clinic provides. If your clinic is involved in cerumen management, identify all the techniques used for this procedure (i.e. mechanical removal, suction, irrigation, etc) along with any associated risks that must be addressed from an infection control standpoint (e.g. how to handle a nick of the ear canal where bleeding ensues, how to dispose of disposable contaminated with cerumen or blodd).  If your clinic performs vestibular assessments, create a specific list addressing those procedures. Continue repeating this process until a comprehensive list of services is established.  The comprehensive list you end up with will dictate the number of written work practice controls your infection plan requires.

ha-stethUsing hearing instrument listening checks as an example of how to create a work practice control, keep the following in mind.  The work practice control is not designed to outline exactly what a clinician must to do perform a hearing instrument listening check; rather, the purpose is to outline the necessary infection control precautions that must be followed when performing a hearing instrument listening check for the purposes of minimizing the spread of disease.  This requires consciously incorporating universal precautions to the written procedure.  For example, since hearing instrument surfaces are contaminated with a variety of microbial growth, it is important to avoid handling hearing instruments with bare hands until they have been cleaned and then disinfected or some appropriate barrier (gloves) are incorporated in handling procedures.  It is important to ensure that the listening bell and ear tips of the listening stethoscope are cleaned and disinfected as well. The following is an example of a hearing instrument listening check that meets current OSHA standards:

  1. Accept hearing instrument from patient using paper towel, avoiding direct contact with bare hands
  2. Clean the hearing instrument with the paper towel
  3. Disinfect hearing instrument surface with a fresh disinfectant towelette.
  4. Attach hearing instrument to listening bell and perform listening check
  5. After listening check is performed, use a fresh disinfectant towelette to clean bell and both ear tips
  6. Disinfect the bell and ear tips with an unused portion of the same disinfectant towelette
  7. Return listening stethoscope to appropriate location for later use

NOTE: the above is just one example of an acceptable work practice control; since executing an audiology procedure may be associated with a range of acceptable variations consistent with infection control standards (i.e. gloves, etc), work practice controls for the same clinical procedure may differ from one clinic to the next. For a complete resource on this topic, readers are referred to Infection Control in the Audiology Clinic available from Oaktree Products.

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Seven Must-Have Items Every Hearing Aid Patient Needs

Posted on September 9, 2015 by AU Bankaitis

Oaktree Logo - Circle

Oaktree Products is now offering a great new item perfect for hearing instrument wearing patients called the Hearing Aid Care Kit (Item# HAC-Kit). Based on feedback from customers, the kit includes seven essentials for the hearing instrument wearer: 1) an unlabeled dehumidifier, 2) 30-pack of Audiowipes, 3) battery tester, 4) battery caddy, 5) lubricant to assist with instrument or earmold insertion, 6) Miracell sample, and 7)cleaning brush with a loop and magnet. The contents of the HAC-Kit are packaged in a clear, plastic zipper bag with handle that displays the items for patients to see. In addition, the bag has
HAC-KITan insert for a business card which adds a personal touch. The Hearing Aid Care Kit serves as a perfect give-away for new hearing aid patients and/or a great addition to the resale accessory aspect of the dispensing practice. For pricing and other information, be sure to contact Oaktree Products toll free 800.347.1960 and ask for customer service.

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$250 Up for Grabs

Posted on September 2, 2015 by AU Bankaitis

OTP cover 2015The Oaktree Products catalog cover contest is officially here with $250 up for grabs for the cover generating the most votes by the public.  Cover submissions may be comprised of any print medium (i.e. original photograph, purchased stock photography with proof-of-purchase, original artwork, drawing, etc.).  Last year’s winner was a crayon drawing so don’t let a small detail such as “I don’t have Photoshop” stop you! If you are looking for a little inspiration, check out the Oaktree Products’ Catalog Covers board on Pinterest.
calendarSubmissions are being accepted through October 15, 2015 by 12 pm CST.  Later that afternoon, three to four entries will be chosen internally by Oaktree Products’ employees during the company’s annual OAK-toberfest celebration. The selected covers will be showcased at our electronic polling booth the week of October 19th where anyone and everyone will be able to cast their vote! YOU get to play a part in choosing the next cover of the 2016 clock_6Oaktree Products catalog!  There is absolutely no fee for participation and individuals can submit more than one entry. Just make sure you submission gets to Oaktree Products no later than 12:00 pm CST on Thursday, October 15th.  For submission requirements and list of contest rules (seriously, not that many & only what you have to say), click WINNER now.

 

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