“SuiteHeart” & “SweetHeart” Deals!

Posted on February 13, 2013 by AU Bankaitis

SBH400ss_Happy Valentine’s Day (whatever)!  Although it is a totally made-up Hallmark-marketing opportunity, there are some real audiology-related products and promotions associated with this anointed holiday theme that may pique your interest. Oaktree Products offers a really cute Sweetheart alarm clock from Sonic Alert that is as pink as pink can be and equipped with a 12-volt bed shaker.  The clock features a hi/low dimmer switch, an extra-loud, pulsating (I guess like a heartbeat?) audio alarm with adjustable tone and volume control.  Perfect for any girly-girl out there, regardless of age.

darling-devotion-heart-hug-love-sweetheart-Favim_com-56340Planning on attending the AudiologyNOW! convention (April 3-7) in Anaheim, California  and want a chance at four FREE nights of hotel accommodations?   The AAA Foundation is offering one lucky donor a one-bedroom suite at the Cortona Inn & Suites as sweet heartpart of the third annual “SuiteHeart” giveaway.  To be eligible for the drawing, you must register for AudiologyNOW! and make a minimum $50 donation to the Foundation prior to February 14, 2013.  In other words, you have until tomorrow to register and donate in order to have a crack at this sweet “SuiteHeart” deal.

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What is New At Oaktree Products for 2013 – guest post by Alison Dees

Posted on February 6, 2013 by AU Bankaitis

oaktree-cover2013#4aAs the Marketing & Product Manager at Oaktree Products, one of my responsibilities involves updating the product catalog in preparation for the new year.  By now, most of you should have received your 2013 Oaktree Products catalog in the mail; since customers always seem to be interested in finding out what is new, I thought it would be fun to share some of the products showcased on the pages of our catalog.  My five favorite are as follows:

  1. DryCaddy_kitDry Caddy – This hearing aid dehumidifier from the makers of the Dry & Store does not require any recharging or reactivating.  Each Dry-Disc desiccant will capture moisture for 2 months and since 6 desiccants are included with each Dry Caddy, your patients will have an entire year of moisture protection in just one small package!
  2. hien mini ledHeine Mini 3000 LED Fiber Optic Otoscope – An addition to the Heine Mini 3000 product line, this Mini otoscope offers all of the same excellent features and high quality, but provides LED illumination which is twice as bright as the original Mini 3000 using Xenon halogen bulbs.  The best part is that the LED bulb is guaranteed for life!  While the cost of the new Mini 3000 LED otoscope is higher, replacing the halogen bulb in the original Mini 3000 just once will essentially cost the same amount as the new LED version.
  3. fevtip-whiteFiber Earvision Universal Probe Tip – Although not new, this product is definitely deserving of a little shout out.  A  complaint we often receive from customers is that the probe tips on their ear lights constantly crack and need to be replaced.  The Fiber Earvision Universal Probe Tip from Nelson Tools is a little more expensive than the standard probe but since the part of the probe tip that attaches to the light is rubber, the tip is virtually unbreakable!  The probe tip is also universal and will fit on most ear lights including the Led Lenser, ENT Pocket Light and Otoprobe.
  4. mini heat gunMini Heat Gun – A small, lightweight, and easy to use mini heat gun that is perfect for shaping tubing.  This gun offers quiet operation, 2 speed/temperature settings and a built-in bracket for tabletop use.  The mini heat gun is also fairly inexpensive compared to others on the market.
  5. Clarity Ensemble Amplified Captioning Touchscreen Phone – This new phone is so cool!  Clarity basically took a tablet or iPad type device, added a handset ensembleand created an amplified phone with captioning abilities.  The Ensemble not only amplifies up to 50dB but features a large, 7 inch color touchscreen that can be completely customized and offers all the fancy bells and whistles standard of every Clarity phone.  In addition, the Ensemble has the ability to caption conversations when the phone is connected to a high-speed internet connection via Ethernet or WiFi.

I hope you enjoy the 2013 catalog as much as I do!  Happy New Year and Happy Reading!

adees-imageAlison Dees is the Marketing Product Manager at Oaktree Products, Inc., a multi-line distributor of audiology and hearing-related products based in Saint Louis, Missouri.  Alison has been with Oaktree since 2004 and is responsible for management of new and existing products, developing and implementing in-house product training, preparing and delivering corporate product marketing materials, managing exhibit schedules including oversight of all aspects of company representation at exhibits/conferences, and assistance in various marketing/business development projects.

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Happy Founder’s Day!

Posted on January 30, 2013 by AU Bankaitis

founderdayAs an audiologist, today serves as a special day in my professional life.  Twenty-five years ago today, Dr. James Jerger and 31 other audiologists met in Houston, TX  to discuss the need for a national organization of, by and for audiologists.  It was during that meeting that the American Academy of Audiology (AAA) was conceptualized and founded on January 30th, 1988.  In 2008, the AAA’s Board declared  January 30th as  Founder’s Day to honor these visionary audiologists and to commemorate the establishment of the Academy.

Below is a list of AAA Founders; unfortunately, some are no longer with us. Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the Founders and when you have a chance, say thank you to as many of these individuals as you can either via email, a personal thank you while at AudiologyNow! in Anaheim, or by sending a thank you card. Consider donating $25 to either the Political Action Committee (PAC) or to the Academy’s Foundation as an additional gesture of appreciation.  Supporting the Academy these visionaries created is a sweet way to say thank you!

FoundersFounders of the American Academy of Audiology (*deceased)

James Jerger, Lucille Beck, Fred Bess, Tomi Browne, David Citron,  J. Michael Dennis, Leo Doerfler*, David Goldstein, James “Jay” Hall, III, Maureen Hannley, Robert Harrison*, Linda Hood, John Jacobson, Susan Jerger, Robert Keith, Paul Kileny, Vernon Larson, H. Gus Mueller, Frank Musiek, Jerry Northern, Wayne Olsen, George Osborne*, Anita Pikus*, Ross Roeser, Roger Ruth*, Daniel Schwartz, Brad Stach, Lazlo Stein*, Roy Sullivan, Richard Talbott, Laura Wilber, and Don Worthington.

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One Year of Hearing Instrument Moisture Protection in A Small Package!

Posted on January 23, 2013 by AU Bankaitis

DryCaddy_kitThe makers of the popular Dry & Store Global II and Zephyr have introduced a new, very easy-to-use hearing instrument dehumidifier now available at Oaktree Products, Inc.  The Dry Caddy is a passive dehumidifier composed of a Dry Caddy Jar and packaged with six (6) Dry-Discs.  The Dry-Disc is a powerful molecular sieve desiccant; when placed in the bottom of the Dry Caddy Jar, it attracts and captures moisture from hearing instruments placed in the container.

drycaddy step twodrycaddy step oneTo prepare for use, simply remove the foil cover from one of the six packaged Dry-Discs.  Store the other unopened discs in the provided storage canister and place the canister in a  dry cool place.  Write the current date on the exposed Dry-Disc label then place the Dry-Disc in the jar with the date side up.  Close the lid.  NOTE:  Keep the jar closed at all times to prolong the life of the desiccant. Every night, instruct patients to open the battery compartment of their hearing aids (batteries do one yearnot have to be removed) and place the hearing instruments in the jar on top of the Dry-Disc.   Replace the Dry-Disc every 2 months based on the start date written on the label.  There is no need for recharging or reactivating the desiccant.  Since the product comes packaged with 6 Dry-Discs, each Dry Caddy provide one full year of hearing instrument protection.

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ZipTip Kits Available for Audiology!

Posted on January 16, 2013 by AU Bankaitis

finallyThe popular ZipTips, previously sold only by the “each”, are now available in two convenient kits.  The Sizing Kit is comprised of 12 individual tips (either all RIC or all Thin Tube) with one of each tip size (small canal and medium canal) and one of three vent sizes (no vent, small vent, and large vent) for each ear (left and right).  For example, item #702202S, the RIC ZipTip Sizing Kit (say that three times fast), includes the following:

  1. RIC ZipTip – small, no vent, left ear
  2. RIC ZipTip – small, small vent, left ear
  3. RIC ZipTip – small, large vent, left ear
  4. RIC ZipTip – small, no vent, right ear
  5. RIC ZipTip – small, small vent, right ear
  6. RIC ZipTIp – small, large vent, right ear
  7. RIC ZipTip – medium, no vent, left ear
  8. RIC ZipTip – medium, small vent, left ear
  9. RIC ZipTip – medium, large vent, left ear
  10. RIC ZipTip – medium, no vent, right ear
  11. RIC ZipTip – medium, small vent, right ear
  12. RIC ZipTip – medium, large vent, right ear

The Thin Tube ZipTip Sizing Kit (item #702201S) is also available and includes the same configuration of 12 individual tips outlined above with the exception that the packaged ZipTips are for thin tube hearing instruments rather than RIC devices.

eightyIn addition, the Professional Fitting System Kit is also available in both RIC (item #702202) and Thin Tube (item #702201) versions. Both kits are identical to the Sizing Kit; the only difference is rather than receiving a total of 12 individual ZipTips (one tip for each canal-vent-ear combination), the Professional Fitting System Kit contains 80 ZipTips.  Five (5) of each ZipTip size for both the no vent and the small vent for each ear (left and right) and canal size (small and medium) are included along with ten (10) of each ZipTip size for the larger vent for each ear and canal size.

Note, Thin Tube and RIC ZipTips are available with a medium vent, however, that particular vent size is only sold by the each and is not included in any of the kits.

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Checklist of Opportunities

Posted on January 9, 2013 by AU Bankaitis

bigstock_Checklist_3745250As suggested by last week’s guest blog post by Geoffrey Cooling, considering new avenues for ancillary revenue is part of every successful clinic’s blueprint.  Identifying potential sources of additional revenue not only offers the business a means of generating additional sales, but provides your patients the convenience of access to key necessities associated with their hearing health care needs from one source.  Here are a few things dispensing audiologists should make available for patient purchase beyond the hearing instruments: 

  1. 312AE-6ZMHearing aid batteries:  depending on the number of batteries per card, one carton of hearing aid batteries can typically provide a binaural hearing instrument wearer anywhere from a 6 to 12 month supply.  Coordinating semi- and/or annual follow-ups with hearing aid battery replenishment needs is not only a great way to encourage patient follow-up, but also reinforces the audiologist’s role as the primary source of hearing loss management.  Battery-cards can be custom-labeled with the name and phone number of your practice.  Also, battery testers, caddies, and battery removal tools are popular accessories appearing to hearing instrument users.
  2. Hearing instrument cleaners and cleaning tools: teach your hearing aid patients to treat their hearing instruments like dentures!  Like dentures, hearing instruments are designed to 3328BKreside in a body orifice and should be properly cleaned prior to insertion in the ear canal and immediately after removal with available cleaning sprays such as Audiologist’s Choice.  Providing access to additional storage pouches, brushes, vent cleaning tools, and the like is equally important to send the message that these devices must be cleaned on a daily basis.
  3. Dri-aid kits, dehumidifiers, and other forms of moisture protection: once properly cleaned, hearing aids should be placed in a Dri-aid kit or dehumidifier over night, particularly for those users exposed to more humid climates, to minimize unwanted repairs resulting from moisture accumulation. Additionally, offering moisture protection for patients to use ear-gear5while wearing their hearing instruments in the form of Ear Gear, Hearing Aid Sweatbands, or the Deflector represent appealing accessories that patients may realize exists unless displayed or offered by the audiologist.
  4. Lubricants & Anti-itch cream:  hearing instrument wearers 00401often need access to products that help with instrument or earmold insertion and/or alleviate itchy ears.  Offering Ear Gel or Miracell, as well as Audiologist’s Choice Anti Itch Cream in your clinic will provide an immediate solution for patients to address these specific needs.
  5. STB1Hearing Assistance Technology (HAT):  whether as an initial communication solution for someone in denial of their hearing loss or as a supplement to those hearing instrument wearers motivated to optimize communication, provide patients with access to information and the ability to invest in various forms of HAT.  This can be achieved by using the Simply the Best brochure which is designed to generate awareness about HATs without requiring the clinic to invest in a lot of time, money, or inventory.

These are just a few simple suggestions as to what you want to sure you offer your patients at your clinic.  There are many products available as resale accessories and providing patients access to such products not only makes good business sense, but will make your patients happy!

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Your Strategy for Success in 2013 – guest post by Geoffrey Cooling

Posted on January 2, 2013 by AU Bankaitis

planningSuccess in life requires planning and the necessary knowledge to make good decisions; this applies not only our personal life, but to our professional life as well.  With the beginning of every new year, it is important to reflect on past business performance in order to effectively anticipate and plan for the future of the business.  When we clearly understand where we are, only then can we plan to move forward. What things do we need to assess in order to get a better idea of where the business stands?  Within your own business, key performance indicators or KPI’s should be monitored and analyzed so that the best decisions as to how to move forward can be made.  The KPIs that I routinely analyze are as follows:

  • Referral route of new business
  • Marketing Return on Investment (ROI)
  • Gross and net conversion rates on initial tests
  • Retained patient sales
  • Average sales prices
  • Cancellation rate

keyThe data associated with the above KPIs will provide an indication as to the current status of your business.  They will assist in enabling you to figure out what is working versus what is not working.  For example, if you have seen a slip in net conversion rates, perhaps it’s time to evaluate practice or consultation procedures.  If retained patient sales are in the toilet, look at the data more closely to figure out why this is the case.  Critically analyzing KPIs will not only indicate what is happening within your business, but will facilitate the decision-making process so that the best choices can be made in terms of setting a clear strategy for the future.  Only then can you plan for any real growth within your practice.

opportunity-300x300The other thing that should be done is identifying and considering new opportunities for revenue and referrals. Revenue from non-core products including hearing aid care solutions (cleaners, dehumidifiers) and resale accessories (batteries) are ideal sources of ancillary revenue. They also provide the benefit of reduced service calls when used regularly by your patients.  Similarly, consider opportunities for new referral channels. Are there associated businesses that you may approach to organize mutually beneficial referral channels?

This is a fantastic time of year, a time for family, for joy, for turkey. Enjoy your free time, and enjoy the warmth of your family and friends. Comeback from your break re-vitalized and set out clear plans for moving forward. Best wishes for a happy and prosperous New Year.

GeoffreyCoolingGeoffrey Cooling is the writer of the hearing healthcare blog, Just Audiology Stuff. He also contributes to several other hearing healthcare blogs.  He currently works for a large hearing aid manufacturer as a Sales Manager and has been in the position since 2009.  He has a great interest in strategic commercial planning and tactical implementation of those strategies. He also has a great interest in the psychology of Customer engagement in health practice situations and the implementation of commercial strategies in practice management.  All of his opinions and views are his own and do not reflect on the company he works for. Geoff can be contacted at geoff @ Gmail

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Looking Forward to the Rest of This Year!

Posted on December 19, 2012 by AU Bankaitis

xmas ornamentWith 2013 just around the corner, it is natural to want to fast forward the mind a bit in order to  start thinking about the excitement of the  New Year.  Interestingly, a quick glance at the December calendar reveals a month with not only five Mondays, but five Saturdays and five Sundays, an  observation that seems to subtly suggest the live in the momentneed to let December run its course and perhaps focus on the present rather than the future.  Honestly, it actually feels peaceful to consciously slow down to savor and enjoy the last “present moments” of the current year.  So, as I type my last blog post of 2012 (sitting peacefully at my desk, mind you), I am wishing all of you a Merry Christmas, the happiest of holidays, and truly the very best the rest of this year!

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