Product of the Moment for #AudPeeps: Mirror-Go-Round

Posted on October 23, 2014 by AU Bankaitis

mirrorDon’t you wish you could show your patients how their new hearing instruments look in their ears without having to break out that huge mirror and positioning it just so in order for it to reflect to the other main mirror your patient is using to try to see their ear? Half the time they end up seeing the back of their head anyway. So annoying and yet so unnecessary! Just last week I attended a regional meeting where I had the opportunity to interact with about 400 audiologists and hearing instrument specialists. Hands-down, the undeniable product of the moment during last week’s meeting was the  Mirror-Go-Round.  If you dispense hearing instruments and/or program cochlear implants, this is a must-have-product for your clinic.

MGR94The Mirror-Go-Round is a four-panel expandable mirror specifically designed to enable visualization of your own ears, ear canals, sides and back of the head. Use the Mirror-Go-Round when teaching patients proper insertion of hearing instruments and/or to show how undetectable their thin tube has become after treated with Vanish. Better yet, offer it as an optional resale accessory for patients to take home with them! Let kids see how cool their Ear Gear  looks when they wear their hearing instruments. The Mirror-Go-Round folds up so it is both compact and portable. For about $10, this is one of those no-brainer things all #audpeeps should have on hand.

Posted in Audiology, Hearing Instrument Technology, Tools & Accessories | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Hey #Audpeeps! “Gogh” for it & make some “Monet”

Posted on October 15, 2014 by AU Bankaitis

OTP coverChannel your inner Picasso, your Milton Glaser, or your Ansel Adams for a chance to have your art work showcased on the cover of the 2015 Oaktree Products Catalog! No need to be a starving artist either as the winner will receive a $250 cash prize!  Submissions may be composed of any print medium (i.e. original photograph, stock photo with proof-of-purchase, original artwork, etc.) and ideally include a representation of an oak tree and/or some other applicable representation of Oaktree Products.  Submission requirements are as follows:

  1. oaktree covermagentasolidback#3.epsEach original submission must be emailed to Oaktree Products at otp@oaktreeproducts.com in PDF form or by mail to Oaktree Products Catalog Cover Contest, 610 Spirit Valley East Drive, Chesterfield, MO 63005 and postmarked no later than November 17, 2014.
  2. Submission should allow for standard Oaktree Products Catalog text on the front cover, back cover, and spine.
  3. Cover size must be 11” x 17” with ¼” center gutter/binding area that also allows for 1/8” bleed
  4. 300 dpi
  5. CMYK full size color

NOTE: PDF file will be used for judging purposes; selected winner will be responsible for submitting standard file necessary for print publication at later date.

There is absolutely no fee for participation.  Individuals can submit more than one entry. Submissions MUST be postmarked no later than November 17, 2014.  The winner will be chosen by the Oaktree Products Catalog committee and notified within 28 days of the closing date. Click full list of contest rules to read up on details.

otp-cover BW

 

Posted in Audiology | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Hey #Audpeeps! “Gogh” for it & make some “Monet”

The Connection of Ebola Virus to Audiology

Posted on October 9, 2014 by AU Bankaitis

ebolaMainly 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 virus has been around for some 30-40 years. According to infectious disease experts, the virus is not spreading any differently today than it has in previous outbreaks with the average American considered to remain to at low risk for infection (see The Most Destructive Myths About Ebola Virus, Debunked by Anna Almendrala of the Huffington Post).

cdc logoAs outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Ebola is spread through direct contact (through broken skin or mucous membranes in, for example, the eyes, nose, or mouth) with blood or body fluids (including but not limited to urine, saliva, sweat, feces, vomit, breast milk, and semen) of a person who is sick with Ebola. The World Health Organization (WHO) concurs that Ebola is not an airborne virus and cannot be spread like the common cold or flu. Humans are not considered infectious until symptoms develop which typically manifest 2 to 21 days after infection. Initial symptoms include sudden onset of fever (>38.6°C or 101.5°F), muscle pain, severe headache and sore throat.  This is followed by vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and, in some cases, both internal and external bleeding (e.g. oozing from the gums, blood in the stools).

icbookSo, what is the connection of Ebola to Audiology? As healthcare workers, audiologists must control the potential spread of disease in patient-care environments by adhering to standard precautions when caring for patients, regardless of their presumed diagnosis. This includes basic hand hygiene procedures and the use of appropriate personal barriers (i.e. gloves, masks, gowns) when performing procedures that may potentially expose the clinician directly or indirectly to blood, ear drainage, mucous, cerumen, saliva, or any other potentially infectious substance, take necessary precautions. For a quick refresher on infection control basics, check out my previous blog posts Five Key Points of Infection Control, Wash Your Hands!, and Get Your Audiology Practice Under Control.

Posted in Audiology, Infection Control | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on The Connection of Ebola Virus to Audiology

What is the #OaktreeGoldenTicket? – guest post by Oaktree Products, Inc.

Posted on October 2, 2014 by AU Bankaitis

ticketOAKtober is the official month of Oaktree Products and represents not only a time to appreciate our employees, but to reaffirm our commitment to the highest level of service to our customers.  This year, in honor of OAKtober, we want to THANK YOU for your business over the 20 plus years. During OAKtober of 2014, 25 lucky customers will receive a GOLDEN TICKET in their shipment from OAKTREE PRODUCTS!! All you need to do is place an order in OAKtober for a chance to win redeem some great prizes from us including things like free shipping for the remainder of the year or perhaps a o$50 or $100 credit on a future order with Oaktree Products!  Be sure to share you winning moment on various social media outlets using the hashtag #OAKTREEGOLDENTICKET.  Let the fun begin #audpeeps and a very happy OAKtober to all of you!!!!

OTPEstablished in 1992, Oaktree Products, Inc. serves as a resource for audiologists and other hearing health care professionals with a commitment to providing the highest level of customer service. As a mutli-line distributor of hearing health care products, the company offers over 4200 different products intended for use in the clinical environment or for resale to patients. In addition, Oaktree Products is a resource to the hearing industry and hearing health care professionals, offering information, product solutions, and technical training/education in various areas of clinical practice including hearing assistance technology, cerumen management, and infection control.

Posted in Audiology, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on What is the #OaktreeGoldenTicket? – guest post by Oaktree Products, Inc.

Quick Reference on Amplified Stethoscopes for Hearing Aid Wearers

Posted on September 24, 2014 by AU Bankaitis

helpEvery week I receive at least one phone call from a fellow audiologist asking for an amplified stethoscope solution for a patient who is a medical professional and current hearing instrument wearer.  I can’t tell you how often I get a phone call from the actual medical professional who is looking for an amplified stethoscope solution that would work with his or her hearing aids. Unfortunately, unless the user is willing to remove their hearing instruments and use an amplified stethoscope in the traditional way, there isn’t one end-all, be-all magic solution. Here is a summary of a post from 2013 that lists  potential solutions for consideration, keeping in mind that it is best to have at least a couple potential solutions available to see if something works:

FOR RIC or OPEN-FIT BTE WEARERS:

1. Try a traditional amplified stethoscope (i.e. 3M Littmann, E-Scope II with traditional earpieces, Adscope, or Thinklabs DS32A) with the user leaving hearing instruments in the ears.

2. Try the modified E-Scope II with standard (model #718-7710) and/or oversized headphones (model #718-7715).

3.  In the presence of a streamer, another option is the E-Scope II with headphones (model #718-7710) with an E-Scope patch cord (item #711-7129) to hardwire it to the streamer.

FOR CUSTOM HEARING INSTRUMENT WEARERS:

1. Replace traditional stethoscope earpieces with special adapters called stethomate tips; success rate is very low but may work.

2. Have special earmolds designed to serve as an interface between the custom hearing instrument and the stethoscope earpieces.

3. Invest in the modified version of the E-Scope II amplified stethoscope with headphones (model #718-7710).

Couple of key things to keep in mind:

NOTE: in either situation, re-programming of the hearing instrument by the audiologist will be necessary.

NOTE: if none of the above suggestions work, the only other option is to remove hearing instruments and to use a stand-alone amplified stethoscope during auscultation procedures.

NOTE: The Audiologist’s Choice Bluetooth Amplified Stethoscope (AC-Scope) has been removed from the market due to signal transmission issues

For more in-depth information on the above recommendations, see the original post Amplified Stethoscopes & Hearing Instruments – Current Solutions from July 2013.

Posted in Amplified Stethoscopes, Audiology | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Shed Some Light on New Ear Light

Posted on September 10, 2014 by AU Bankaitis

12AAAPEN-BEvery audiologist needs an ear light, right? I just came across a new energy efficient LED light that is worth a shout out.  The Econ LED Ear Light with Probe Tip (item# 12AAAPen-B) is available for about seven dollars but don’t let the price fool you; despite the low price point, this ear light feels substantial when held in the hand.  The LED is designed to last 100,000 hours.  Let me do the math for you.  Should you choose to leave the Econ LED Ear Light with Probe Tip continuously in the ON position 24 hours per day, 7 days a week, other than needing to change out the batteries (two AAA required), the bulb would last almost 11.5 years. Unless you are Larry Mazzeo of Rolla, Missouri, I know of no other audiologist working 24/7.  So, for about seven bucks, you have a product whose LED bulb is designed to last close to 50 years.

Oaktree Logo - CircleWhat is the catch? There really isn’t one other than the actual LED light has Rayovac etched on its anodized aluminum body. The product comes pre-packaged with two AAA batteries.  Oaktree Products also includes a straight probe tip, making it the perfect ear light for ear dam insertion. The even better news is that the Econ LED Ear Light will accommodate the Led Lenser straight probe tip (item# 24141) as well as the stainless steel (item# 24144) and nylon wax loops (item# 24145). So, even if you have a propensity to lose things, seven dollars for an awesome ear light is a worthy investment.  To order your new, awesome ear light, contact Oaktree Products at 800.347.1960 or order online at www.oaktreeproducts.com.

Posted in Audiology, Otoscopes, Headlamps & Earlights | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

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

Posted on September 3, 2014 by AU Bankaitis

bandBand 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. Along with the typical band week activities, students from the Northeast Ohio AuD Consortium’s (NOAC) chapter of the Student Academy of Audiology (SAA) were Photo_1able to host their first “Band Together to Prevent Hearing Loss” project on Sunday, August 18, 2014. Members of the University of Akron’s marching band were exposed to a presentation on noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) presented by NOAC chapter SAA students. In addition, with the support and supply donations from Oaktree Products of St. Louis, MO, every band member was offered the opportunity to be fit with custom earplugs.

The brief NIHL presentation addressed the issue of noise exposure, how it can damage
hearing, and the important steps to take in order to prevent noise related hearing loss. Photo_4The University of Akron marching band members were also educated on the role of audiologist, oriented on safe listening levels as it relates to their personal sound devices, and presented information on the importance of hearing protection in general and with regard to their musical careers. For example, “SLM Shady”, our very own sound level meter, measured the intensity level of the marching band’s performance during their rendition of the University’s fight song. The average noise level exposure was documented at 107.8 dBA. Assistant band director Andrew Feyes, seated and pictured left with 3rd year AuD student Leo Walter, participated in a live, on-stage demonstration of the earmold impression process.

Photo_7Following the presentation and demonstration, more than 75 members from the University of Akron marching band proceeded with having earmold impressions made in order to be fit with custom ear protection. Eighteen AuD students from the NOAC Student Academy of Audiology helped carry out this event with our chapter advisor Dr. Erin Miller present to oversee each earmold impression. Once impressions were taken, custom comfort earplugs were ordered with reduced bulk pricing through Great Lakes Earmold Laboratory, Inc. Pictured right is 3rd year AuD student Lorie D’Elia performing otoscopy on a University of Akron marching band student prior to making earmold impressions of both ears.

Photo_5Band Together to Prevent Hearing Loss was a great success in its inaugural year. It provided NOAC chapter of the SAA a way to reach out to our community in northeast Ohio. With the help of Oaktree Products, Inc., more than half of the local marching band took advantage of the opportunity to be fit with custom earplugs in order to protect their most valuable instruments – their ears! We hope this inspires SAA chapters across the country to put together similar events with their University’s marching bands to educate and provide custom hearing protection. Are you interested in putting on an event for the marching band at school? If so, contact Peytra Osetinsky (posetin1@kent.edu) or Lorie D’Elia (lad63@zips.uakron.edu) for more information.

blogging authorsPeytra Osetinsky (pictured far right) grew up in Lexington, Kentucky and received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of San Diego in Interdisciplinary Humanities with a focus in European Studies. The combination of patient care and technology in Audiology inspired Peytra to pursue this profession. She is currently a third year doctoral student at Northeast Ohio Au.D. Consortium (NOAC). Her interests include tinnitus, balance, and hearing aids. Peytra and her sister, an ENT Resident, hope to one day open a private practice together.  Lorie D’Elia (appearing in the middle) completed her undergraduate degree at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio (Go Buckeyes!), where she studied Speech and Hearing Science with a minor in Disabilities Studies. Lorie is currently a third year AuD student at the Northeast Ohio AuD Consortium, a joint program combining the University of Akron, Kent State University, and the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. Lorie’s clinical interests include diagnostic audiology, hearing aids, telepractice, and vestibular assessment. Lorie is excited to see where the field of audiology takes her! In her free time, Lorie enjoys running, pintrest-ing, playing volleyball, and exploring the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

Posted in Audiology, Guest Blog Posts, Hearing Conservation, Spotlight Blog Posts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Band Together to Prevent Hearing Loss – guest post by Peytra Osetinsky & Lorie D’Elia

The Infection Control Garbage Term

Posted on August 27, 2014 by AU Bankaitis

trash-canWhen 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 free from dirt, germs, etc., as by cleaning, disinfecting or sterilizing.” Technically, the answer to the question will always be yes.  If the intention is to reuse something in the audiology or hearing aid clinic with other patients, you will always have to clean and disinfect OR clean and sterilize the items prior to reuse. With regard to infection control, the term sanitize ends up being somewhat of a garbage term that is thrown out there because it sounds like it means something specific. The better question to ask is should this reusable item be disinfected or sterilized?

rule of thumbRegardless of whether or not you need to disinfect versus sterilize an item, it will be necessary to first clean items by wiping surface areas to remove any gross contamination, whether or not that contamination is visible to the naked eye. What is a good general rule of thumb in terms of knowing when to disinfect versus when to sterilize non-disposable items? Items inserted into the ear (e.g. specula, immittance tips, curettes for cerumen removal) will need to be cleaned and then sterilized prior to reuse. According to 29 CRF 1910.1030 (OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogen Standard), critical instruments intended
for reuse must be sterilized. By definition, critical instruments include any non-invasive BookIC3instruments or objects that come in contact with mucous membranes or bodily fluids (e.g. blood, saliva, mucous, cerumen), and/or any instrument or object that can potentially penetrate the skin from use or misuse that are intended for reuse. In other words, any reusable instrument used for cerumen removal, otoscopy, immittance testing, and the like, must be sterilized prior to reuse. Everything else needs to be disinfected. For more information on infection control and to get your clinic set up with the necessary written infection control plan, check out the must-have practical book Infection Control in the Audiology Clinic by Bankaitis and Kemp.

Posted in Infection Control, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments