Never Touch a Battery Again! Hansaton AQ Rechargeable Hearing Aids – guest post by Jerry L. Yanz

Posted on May 2, 2012 by AU Bankaitis

Rechargeable electrical devices are all around us. Our computers, smart phones, MP3 players, cameras, toothbrushes, even our cars can be plugged in overnight to get ready for another day of use. But the demands on battery performance are more exacting in hearing aids than in some other devices, since one’s very ability to communicate depends on having a reliable, long-lasting power source.

At last a family of rechargeable hearing aids is available to meet that need. Hansaton’s AQ Custom Rechargeable Hearing Instruments and AQ X-Mini RIC Instruments (shown above, available in 8 colors, 3 technology levels, and 3 receiver power levels) are bringing rechargeable hearing aids out of the small market niche they have occupied for thirty years and into the mainstream market. Ten years of R&D at Hansaton Acoustics have given us a family of rechargeable hearing aids that resolve all of the issues of other designs.

The main shortcoming, which has prevented widespread acceptance of rechargeable hearing aids, is that wearers have not been able to rely on the instruments to get them through a full day of use without losing power. Having to change over to a zinc-air battery half-way through the day simply negates the benefits of rechargeability.  Potential candidates for rechargeable hearing aids should examine five main features:

  1. Operating time per charge. AQ Custom Rechargeables operate for 20 to 30 hours per charge, while the AQ X-Mini RICs give a minimum of 20 hours per charge, with the most powerful, 65-dB gain receiver and more than 20 with the 55 and 45-dB receivers.
  2. Battery longevity. The AQ battery is guaranteed for five years, and, unlike competitors’ offerings, over that time it will maintain its original operating time per charge.
  3. Ease of use. Drop the aid in the charging cradle, and in 4-to-6 hours it will be fully charged and ready for another long day. Since AQs use an inductive charging process, there are no electrical contacts to line up for proper connection. The Charging Station turns the aid off upon insertion, begins the charging process automatically and stops charging precisely at 100% charge to maintain top battery performance.
  4. Reliability. Inductive charging also means there are no electrical contacts to corrode or wear out. A sealed battery compartment eliminates broken battery doors and makes the AQs, both custom and X-Mini, highly water-resistant.
  5. Excellent sound processing. Having a trouble-free, reliable power source is great if and only if it is powering a good hearing aid. AQ Custom and AQ X-Mini instruments are available in three technology levels – First Class, Business Class and Comfort Class – with top-of-the-line digital sound processing throughout.

How do we do it? A special control circuit inside each aid monitors battery status, controls the charging process with great precision and communicates wirelessly with the Charge Station. It is this patented design that allows the superb operating time per charge and battery longevity of the AQ hearing instruments. Hansaton’s exclusive, patented recharging system is not available from any other hearing instrument manufacturer.

A final word on battery substitution. Other manufacturers of rechargeable hearing aid tout the ability to substitute a zinc-air battery as an advantage of their design. At Hansaton we realize that this so-called advantage, in fact, betrays a design limitation, necessitated by the failure of the rechargeable system to get a hearing aid wearer through a long day. At Hansaton we have the highest confidence in the ability of our products to outlast the wearer day after day. This confidence allows us to seal the battery in the case, remove the battery door, and thereby gain improved cosmetic appeal, plus the additional benefits of water resistance, reliability and ease of use, all accompanied by top-notch sound processing.

A growing number of practitioners and patients are discovering the benefits of truly reliable, effective and easy-to-use rechargeable hearing aids. Beyond the expected patient populations – visually impaired, physically impaired, elderly – AQs are the logical choice for the hearing impaired. At this point in time and with this technology, it’s just the obvious choice.

You never have to see a battery again!

Dr. Jerry L. Yanz, PhD, is Director of audiology at Hansaton Acoustics, Inc. located in Plymouth, MN.  He received his doctorate from The University of Iowa.  Since then, Dr. Yanz has assumed positions as a faculty member at the Department of Communication Disorders at the University of Minnesota, clinical director positions at a large audiology clinic in St. Paul, MN, and executive positions in both product research and development and education.  Most recently, Dr. Yanz served as lead educator and senior staff audiologist at Starkey Laboratories and as vice-president of education and training at Micro-Tech Hearing Instruments.

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Great Otoscope Special For Students!

Posted on April 25, 2012 by AU Bankaitis

An otoscope is a necessary tool for audiologists to always have on hand; what better way to celebrate Spring graduation by offering several student otoscope specials to AuD students? Through the month of May 2012, Oaktree Products will offer the popular Heine Mini 3000 Non-Fiber Optic Diagnostic Pocket Otoscope (item #D-851.20.021S) with fitted case for $111.00 (savings of $82!) or the Heine Mini 3000 Fiber Optic Diagnostic Otoscope (item # D-851.10.021S) with fitted case for $170 (savings of $124!) to any first through fourth year AuD student.  Both otoscopes are available in black only; the light gray, fitted case is extremely durable and will protect your investment for years to come.

If you are looking for a full size otoscope, the Heine Full Size Student Otoscope Set (item # B-181.20.376TLS) is a deal at $275 (a savings of $152.90!).  This otoscope set comes with a K180 Otoscope Head, a rechargeable handle that plugs into a wall, and a soft carrying case.  Both of these offers are exclusive to students.  To order your otoscopes, call Oaktree Products toll-free at 800.347.1960 and mention this blog post to take advantage of these incredible prices.  If you prefer, email Oaktree Products founder and owner Robert Kemp at bkemp@oaktreeproducts.com.  Happy graduation and good luck to all our future audiologists!

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The Stethoscope Solution Audiologist can now offer Medical Professionals

Posted on April 18, 2012 by AU Bankaitis

NOTE: at the time this blog post was written, the Audiologists Choice Bluetooth Amplified Stethoscope demonstrated promise as a viable stethoscope solution for hearing instrument wearers; performance issues (see July 10, 2013 post) warranted the need to offer more reliable product solutions. 

 

doctorsMedical professionals who are wearers of hearing instruments often experience challenges performing auscultation since the hearing instruments often preclude the use of standard acoustic or electronic stethoscopes.  Until recently, viable options were limited to the use of aesthetically unappealing oversized-headphones, uncomfortable adapters (stethomate tips) associated with limited success, or the need to concede to forgoing the use of hearing instruments during auscultation.  Audiologists finally have a solution in the form of the Audiologist’s Choice Amplified Stethoscope for patients employed in the medical field.

The Audiologist’s Choice Amplified Stethoscope is designed to wirelessly transmit heart and lung sounds directly to the communication devices (i.e. streamer) that accompany  most hearing instruments. The streamer, in turn, delivers body sounds directly to the hearing instruments.  The Audiologists’s Choice Amplified Stethoscope has been successfully paired during field trials to the Phonak iCom, Siemens miniTek, Widex M-DEX and Hansaton i-com2 (NOTE: this does not represent an exhaustive list of hearing instruments that will work wirelessly with the Audiologist’s Choice Bluetooth Electronic Stethoscope).  Designed primarily for use with hearing instruments accompanied with wireless streamers, an audio-in cable is packaged with the device in the event the amplifier of the stethoscope will not successfully pair with the streamer.  The audio-in cable may be used to connect the amplifier to the streamer, permitting wireless communication of body sounds from the streamer to the hearing instruments. For more information, contact Oaktree Products in St. Louis at 800.347.1960 and ask for customer service; or if you prefer check out the Audiologist’s Choice Amplified Stethoscope via www.oaktreeproducts.com.

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ZipTips

Posted on April 11, 2012 by AU Bankaitis

For the audiologist fitting Receiver-in-the-Canal (RIC) and/or Thin Tube hearing aids, ZipTips showcased by Oaktree Products at AudiologyNow 2012 in Boston could be right up your alley!  ZipTips are medical grade silicone earmolds available in two styles (RIC or Thin Tube) that attach to the RIC unit or thin tube of hearing instruments.  Available in two sizes (small or medium) and four vent sizes (no vent, small, medium, or large vent), ZipTips are sold by the each so be sure to specify either right ear (light pink color) or left ear (clear).  For more information, call Oaktree Products toll-free at 800.437.1960 and ask for customer service or send them an e-mail at otp@oaktreeproducts.com for more information.  ZipTips are also found in the Fitting Supplies section of the Oaktree Products website under the Temporary Earmolds.

ZipTip for RIC

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Hearing aids for children (and adults) with auditory processing disorder: thinking outside the box? – guest post by Francis Kuk

Posted on April 4, 2012 by AU Bankaitis

I must profess at the outset that I am not an expert on (central) auditory processing disorders (CAPD or APD). Far from it. I am a hearing aid person; and the solutions I propose would only be appropriate if the description of or the requirement for the solution to the problem is valid. In that regard, because a possible problem of APD is difficulty with speech understanding in noise, amplification that provides a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) improvement should be a good solution. The recently reported successful use of Frequency Modulation (FM) devices on this population (e.g., Johnston et al, 2009) is encouraging. On the other hand, I would like to posit that hearing aids, especially today’s digitally wireless hearing aids, could offer a more acceptable solution than FM for the SNR problem experienced by children with APD.

An FM device achieves SNR improvement through the use of analog wireless transmission technology. The speaker’s voice is picked up by a remote microphone, which is then wirelessly transmitted to an FM receiver. The FM receiver may be integrated into a hearing aid, worn independently as earphones, or as a stand-alone behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid. In the later case, the BTE is worn in an open-ear manner to avoid occluding the ear canal and to allow direct entrance of environmental sounds.  The main reason for its effectiveness, which is reported to be as great as 15-20 dB SNR improvement (Hawkins, 1984), is that the remote microphone bypasses the effects of distance, reverberation and interfering noise which degrade a speaker’s speech to the  listeners.

But there is nothing magical about an FM device in achieving the SNR improvement. It is an acoustic device; and as such, it must obey the same acoustic constraints that such devices follow. For example, the input stage of an FM microphone typically goes into compression limiting at around 70-75 dB SPL. This means a speaker who speaks slightly louder or has the FM mic closer to the mouth will likely create a “muffled” sound for the listener. Furthermore, FM systems typically have an output bandwidth below 7000 Hz. This could restrict the audibility of very high frequency sounds like the /s/. In addition, the 15-20 dB SNR improvement that one sees reported on FM would largely disappear when it is worn in an open-ear manner. This is because the direct sound (noise in this case) will mix with the transmitted sound and yield a lower effective SNR.  Indeed, the higher the environmental noise level, the greater diminishment of the reported SNR.  Unless someone is willing to wear an FM system in quiet only, in the FM alone mode, and/or with an occluded earmold (or headphone), the reported SNR improvement will NOT be realized. Another practical consideration is how many teenagers are willing to walk around with a big BTE over their ears and stick a remote FM mic to every person to whom they are going to talk? What if there are multiple speakers? A more practical solution is needed.

An acceptable solution should be cosmetically appealing, ensures a favorable SNR, allows portability, and should not be dependent on speaker participation. Thus the use of personal hearing aids may be an option.  In addition to the advantage of portability, the recent miniature thin-wire receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aid (e.g., Widex Passion) provides a cosmetic motivation for children to accept and wear the device. From the acoustic standpoint, hearing aids have a higher input saturation level (as much as 105 dB SPL in the CLEAR hearing aids), broader bandwidth (Passion bandwidth in excess of 8400 Hz in a 2 cc coupler) and a better sound quality than an FM system. In addition, almost all current day hearing aids have a directional microphone and a noise reduction algorithm that could help improve the SNR of the listening environment. Kuk et al (2008) reported on the use of a mild-gain open-ear hearing aid in 14 children (between 7 and 11 years) diagnosed with APD. They were evaluated on the NU-6 words and the Auditory Continuous Performance Test (ACPT) in noise. The hearing aids were evaluated in the omnidirectional microphone mode only, omnidirectional microphone with noise reduction mode, and directional microphone with noise reduction mode.  The results showed that the use of the hearing aids in the omnidirectional microphone mode alone did not improve speech identification in noise over the unaided condition. However, the inclusion of the noise reduction algorithm and directional microphones improved speech understanding in noise. Improvements in real-life and school activities were also reported.

Despite the availability of a directional microphone and noise reduction algorithm on almost all current hearing aids, the maximum theoretical SNR effectiveness of hearing aids is admittedly not the same as the FM. But the difference between hearing aids and FM will likely narrow when both are used in an open-ear manner. Furthermore, it is important to recognize that hearing aids can be worn everywhere without the constraint of the wearer holding a separate remote microphone to the talker.  And if the wearer desires the SNR improvement of the FM microphone, one should choose hearing aids that are also digitally wireless.  This offers the advantages of a higher input saturation level, a broader bandwidth (up to 11 kHz on WidexLink) and better sound quality.  A remote microphone can be connected to the TV (or M) DEX devices to achieve the SNR improvement. This way, children with APD may use the hearing aids in its standard mode for most daily situations, and use the aids with the DEX/remote microphone whenever it is necessary.

A main reason people hesitated using hearing aids for children (or adults) with APD is the amount of gain specification since these individuals have normal hearing. In our preliminary study, we found that 10-15 dB gain for very soft sounds, 5-10 dB for conversational sounds, and close to 0 dB gain for very loud sounds would be acceptable. As a reference, the natural resonance that is provided by one putting his/her hand behind the pinna is approximately 10-12 dB in the 1000-2000 Hz region.  The maximum power output (MPO) control should be adjusted to a level typical of wearers with normal hearing (<100 dB SPL). The hearing aids should also have a directional microphone (preferably multichannel fully adaptive) and noise reduction algorithm. The hearing aids should be worn binaurally in an open-ear manner. Although an open-ear fitting ould compromise the SNR offered by the directional microphone and noise reduction algorithm to about 1-2 dB, it is 1-2 dB more than what the APD child would otherwise receive.

Dr. Francis Kuk, PhD, is Vice President of Clinical Research, Office of Research in Clinical Amplification (ORCA) at Widex Hearing Aid Company, USA.  He received his doctorate from the University of Iowa.  Since then, Dr. Kuk has assumed clinical, research and faculty positions at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics and the University of Illinois-Chicago.  He has published over a hundred articles in various peer-reviewed and trade journals, and book chapters.  Dr. Kuk is currently a board member of the American Academy of Audiology Foundation.

References

  1. Hawkins D (1984) Comparisons of speech recognition in noise by mildly-to-moderately hearing-impaired children using hearing aids and FM systems. J Speech Hear Disord 49(4): 409-418.
  2. Kuk F, Jackson A, Keenan D, Lau C. (2008) Personal amplification for school-age children with auditory processing disorders. J Am Acad Audiol. 19(6):465-480.
  3. Johnston K, John A, Kreisman N, Hall J, Crandell C. (2009) Multiple benefits of personal FM system use by children with auditory processing disorder [APD] Int J Audiol 48(6): 371-383.
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Five Key Points of Infection Control

Posted on March 28, 2012 by AU Bankaitis

In response to the AIDS epidemic, Universal Precautions  issued by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) issued in the mid 1980’s were designed to protect healthcare workers specifically from blood borne pathogens.  These precautions were eventually expanded upon to protect healthcare workers from any potentially infectious microorganisms (i.e. Staphylococcus), resulting the updated term Standard Precautions.

Standard Precautions refers to five guidelines that are relatively straightforward and easily integrated into the clinical audiology setting.  The five guidelines are as follows.

1. Wear gloves, masks, eye protection and/or other personal barriers when needed.  If performing a procedure that may potentially expose you directly or indirectly to blood, ear drainage, mucous, cerumen, saliva, or any other potentially infectious substance, take necessary precautions.

2. Wash your hands!  This is the most important thing you can do to minimize the spread of disease.  Wash prior to and after patient appointments, immediately after glove removal, and as needed.

3. Clean and disinfect surfaces such as tables and armrests after each patient appointment with a disinfectant.

4.  Clean and sterilize any reusable instrument that is inserted in the ear canal, contaminated with blood, blood by-products, ear drainage and the like,  and/or can penetrate the skin from use or misuse.

5.  Dispose of sharp instruments in a Sharp’s Container;  everything else may be thrown in the regular waste receptacle although anything with copious amounts of blood, cerumen, drainage and the like should be placed in an impermeable bag (i.e. Biohazard bag) and then in the regular trash.

For more in-depth information on implementing a comprehensive infection control plan, check out Infection Control in the Audiology Clinic by Bankaitis and Kemp.

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Lead Patient’s to Embrace Amplification by Setting Example

Posted on March 21, 2012 by AU Bankaitis

Having lived in St. Louis for a collective ten years, the fact that Missouri is the Show-Me-State has really rubbed off on me.  Rarely will I buy something without trying it on or trying it out.  Thinking back to my clinical days as an audiologist, I wish I would have used the “let-me-show-you” approach much more with my patients, allowing them to experience the benefits of amplification, for example, rather than relying on talking about potential options via the more traditional “let-me-tell-you” technique.

This became even more evident when working a few years ago with the Washington University School of Medicine’s Adult Audiology Clinic in St. Louis on how to generate awareness and facilitate buy-in of assistive listening technology without investing a lot of time, money, and energy. We quickly learned that integrating technology within the daily operations of the clinical environment and allowing patients to naturally experience using the technology in a meaningful way was much more effective in communicating the benefits of amplification than what could have been achieved in a traditional one-on-one counseling session.  With that in mind, here to two inexpensive ideas for around $100 on how you can promote the benefits of amplification without a lot of effort.

TIP 1: Make a PockeTalker accessible in each of your counseling rooms to make communicating with your hearing-impaired patients easier. As audiologists we have all come across more than one instance where it was necessary to speak slowly and loudly to enable patients to better understand and hear the conversation. Rather than struggling through this process, putting a pair of headphones on the patient and asking “Can you hear me now?” will speak volumes in that short instance than any degree of counseling could. Furthermore, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) assures that individuals’ health information is properly protected in any form or media, whether electronic, paper, or oral.  When speaking loudly with hearing impaired patients, it is possible for individual identifiable health information to be overheard by patients in residing rooms or in the hall.  Investing in a few PockeTalkers for use in your clinic will certainly comply with HIPAA goals and requirements.

TIP 2: Install a Field Teleloop System in one of your counseling rooms to allow patients to experience the advantage of a t-coil equipped hearing instrument as well as the benefits of perhaps getting a room in their own house looped. The Field Teleloop System transmits sound from a TV or other sound source via a wire loop installed around the perimeter of the room.  For patients wearing t-coil equipped hearing instruments, simply turning the hearing instrument into the T or MT position will allow them to hear the TV or music coming from an iPod.  For non-hearing instrument wearers, they can still experience the power of the loop by having access to a personal listening device, such as the Comfort Duett, with a built-in t-coil for use with induction loop systems.

For more information on the PockeTalker and Field Teleloop System, contact customer service at Oaktree Products toll-free at 800.347.1960 or drop Oaktree Products an e-mail at otp@oaktreeproducts.com.  Check out both products via the Oaktree Products website.

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Magic Number This Year is #1346!

Posted on March 14, 2012 by AU Bankaitis

It’s time again for AudiologyNOW! and the magic number is #1346.  This is the assigned booth number of Oaktree Products, your one-stop-shop for hearing related products and resource for communication/business solutions as it relates to your audiology practice.  This year, the Oaktree Products booth is located exactly in the middle of the exhibit hall space, midway across the isle from Starkey and Phonak.

Each individual number in the magic number series holds significance as it pertains to AudiologyNOW! For example, the number one in #1346 reflects the fact that AudiologyNOW! remains the #1 Audiology convention, representing the largest gathering of audiologist in one location worldwide. It is anticipated that nearly 8,000 attendees will congregate in the great city of Boston on March 28-31, 2012.  Check out the  AudiologyNOW! Educational Sessions page online for details regarding seminars, featured sessions, learning labs and other courses. Be sure to make time for my morning Featured Session Infection Control: What Audiologists Need to Do in Room 156ABC on Friday, March 30 from 8:00 – 9:30 am.

The number three in #1346 stands for the three days Oaktree Products will be spending at Audiology Solutions (exhibit hall) to showcase new products, offer and/or brainstorm solutions for your practice, or for you to come say hello.  Make time to come to the exhibit hall and find us any time Thursday (11:30 am – 6 pm), Friday (9:00 am – 5:00 pm), and/or Saturday (9:00 am – 2:00 pm).

Speaking of products, the number four in #1346 reflects the fact that Oaktree Products offers nearly four thousand different products, ranging from resale accessories, cerumen management tools, infection control solutions, earmold & impression supplies, clinical tools & supplies, ALDs, educational materials, glues & cements, and much, much more. While we will have much on display, four hot products to check out this year include the Firefly Wireless Video Otoscope, Audiologist’s Choice Wireless Bluetooth Amplified Stethoscope, Field Teleloop System, and the Lana LED Loupe Light, just to name a few.

Finally, the number six in #1346 represents the six representative of Oaktree Products that should be present at the AudiologyNow Booth including myself, company owner Bob Kemp, his son Michael Kemp,  Marketing Product Manager Alison Dees, our awesome customer service representative Maggie Schweitzer, and perhaps the infamous and adorable Sassy B. Kemp (if we can smuggle her in without a badge).  Be sure to stop by our booth in the exhibit hall not only to say hello, but to check out all the great products we have to offer! We hope to see you in Boston! If not, perhaps you can make it out to Anaheim, California for the 2013 AudiologyNOW!

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