New Product to Help See Cell Phone Activity!

Posted on September 14, 2011 by AU Bankaitis

The LightOn is a new product that generates a visual notification of incoming text, voice or video calls, offering a solution to individuals with hearing loss who prefer to see when someone is trying to reach them. When a cell phone is placed in the LightOn cradle, incoming messages and calls trigger the cradle to generate a bright, flashing blue LED light along the front panel.  The light continues to flash rapidly until the device is reset.  After the first two minutes of device activation, the frequency of the flashing decreases, conserving battery power, until it totally disappears.

To use the LightOn, open the battery case cover located on the back of the cradle and insert three AA batteries (included).  Once the battery case is closed, a blue LED light will blink every 15 seconds, indicating that the batteries are properly charged.  When battery power becomes weak, the LED light will flash incessantly, indicating that the batteries need to be replaced.  Once the battery power is too weak for device operation, the cradle will remain in the off position.

To use the LightOn cradle, change the cell phone operation from ring mode to the vibrate mode.  If the cell phone offers multiple vibration modes, select the mode that utilizes the strongest and longest vibration time.  Gently place the cell phone in the cradle.  When the mobile phone residing on the LightOn cradle receives a text or phone call, the framework of the LightOn cradle’s panel will flash brightly, visually notifying the user of incoming cell phone activity.  The design of the LightOn’s cradle also makes it a perfect accessory to facilitate the use of sign language via mobile video phones. Be sure to check out the short video demonstration on the LightOn at Oaktree Products’ YouTube Channel.

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Get your patients excited about loops! – guest post by Juliette Sterkens

Posted on September 7, 2011 by AU Bankaitis

Hearing loops broadcast sound from a sound source wirelessly to hearing aids. All users need to do is switch their hearing aid to the telecoil or Mic + telecoil mode. Hearing loops provide phenomenal hearing in situations where poor acoustics, reduced word discrimination and auditory processing problems would have made understanding nearly impossible.

Information about this “directly hearing aid-compatible” assistive listening has recently been featured in Scientific American, as a cover story in the Hearing Review, on NPR’s Science Friday, and in other print media. Mark Ross has written extensively 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 wireless receivers in every hearing aid”.

How to get in the loop you ask? For starters read how Dr. David Myers, who uses hearing aids, brought hearing loops to his community. Read about my efforts in Wisconsin on the BHI website and in Women .  In our Fox Valley Hearing Center practice we familiarize each patient with the telecoil, providing a hearing loop handout with area installations on the back and taking 5 minutes to demonstrate the loop in the waiting room.

I offer the let’s loop America’s Worship Centers  article to anyone willing to bring loop technology to the attention of their church council.  My patients delight in doing the latter!   It is easy to bring attention to hearing loops in your community by presenting a “Get in the Loop” lecture to service or Sertoma clubs , church groups and local HLAA chapters. The American Academy of Audiology offers a free PowerPoint slide show  and fact sheet.  Donate a hearing loop to your local Senior Center.

Unlike smaller loops that are designed for a single room, large area hearing loops must meet 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. Two years ago there were no trained hearing loop installation companies in Wisconsin; now there are nearly a dozen!

This blog post was contributed by Dr. Juliette Sterkens, AuD, an audiologist and owner of Fox Valley Hearing Center, Inc. in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. She was honored in 2011 by the Wisconsin Speech & Hearing Association as the Audiologist of the Year and recently awarded the prestigious President’s Award at the 2011 AudiologyNow Annual Convention in Chicago for her efforts in looping America. For more information and answers to your questions about hearing loops, please contact Dr. Sterkens directly via e-mail at jsterkens@new.rr.com

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Ultrasonic Cleaners

Posted on August 31, 2011 by AU Bankaitis

Audiologists rely on the use of ultrasonic machines  to clean or disinfectobjects that can be  immersed in a liquid solution.  Items to be cleaned are placed in the solution residing in the ultrasonic tank. The tank is then turned on to activate the ultrasonic cleaning mechanism. Ultrasonic waves cavitate the solution, creating the solution’s scrubbing action and giving it the ability to clean debris from surfaces and crevices.

A variety of ultrasonic machines are commercially available, each varying slightly in design and price.  In general, as the quality and feature offerings of the unit increase, so will the product price.  Every ultrasonic machine will ultimately clean or disinfect objects; the choice ends up being a matter of preference although recognizing the difference between several popular models is useful in making an informed decision. For example, GemOro offers a wide range of ultrasonic machines through Oaktree Products including the following four popular models: 1) Sparkle Spa (item #1780), 2) Ultrasonic Cleaner (item #1785), 3) Heated Ultrasonic Cleaner (item #1787), and 4) the new Sparkle Spa Pro (item #1790).  Each model is equipped with an automatic shut off feature and mainly differ as a function of tank size along with a few other bells and whistles.  For example, the tank capacity of the Sparkle Spa (#1780) is 16 oz (1 pint) whereas the GemOro Ultrasonic Cleaner (#1785)  and Heated Ultrasonic Cleaner (#1787) models maintain 1.2 quart (~38.4 oz) and 2.6 quart (~84 oz) capacities respectively.  The 25 oz tank capacity of the newest Sparkle Spa Pro (#1790) is larger than the original Sparkle Spa but smaller than the other two mentioned models.

In terms of features, the Sparkle Spa (#1780) is essentially a one button push-to-start model that provides a 3 minutes (180 second) cleaning cycle that will automatically shut off when the cycle is complete.  If additional cleaning is needed, it will be necessary to push the ON button again to start another three minute cycle.  In contrast, the other three models are all equipped with digital timers that provide a menu choice of five cleaning cycles of either 90, 180, 280, 380, or 480 seconds.  As the name suggests, the Heated Ultrasonic Cleaner (#1787) is unique from all the other models in that it has a digital control heater that enables users to warm up the ultrasonic solution residing in the tank to a maximum temperature of 149 degrees Farenheit (65C). Heated solution will enhance the utrasonic’s cleaning ability. A popular solution used in the hearing industry is Audiologist’s Choice Ultrasonic Cleaner.

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New Stand Alone Video Otoscope

Posted on August 24, 2011 by AU Bankaitis

The MDScope is a new portable video otoscope featuring its own unique built-in LCD screen, enabling the user to view the ear canal and tympanic membrane directly on the handheld unit.   Since images are instantly displayed on the LCD screen, there is no need for an external monitor (i.e. computer or TV screen), making it a true stand-alone video otoscope.  The MDScope does come packaged with a video cable, offering the ability to connect to a monitor via a standard video out  port (non-USB) connection.

The MDScope is comprised of two main components: 1) the main video otoscope device (shown at right) and 2) the fiber optic video 100 degree camera head.  The main video otoscope device is the handheld component housing the battery compartment, ON/OFF switch, and LCD screen with power display.  The fiber optic video 100 degree camera head resembles a stainless steel or chrome speculum (shown left) and attaches to the LCD screen via a fastening ring. The fiber optic bulb is LED. Once the camera is attached to the main device and the two “AA” batteries have been inserted in the handle of the main device, attach a disposable specula over the camera head, press and hold the power button for 2 seconds to turn the device on, and the MDScope is ready to be used. To freeze an image on the LCD screen, press and release the ON/OFF button quickly.  To return to the live image, press and release the ON/OFF button quickly realizing that once returned to the live image, the previously captured image will be lost.

In order to save and/or print images, it will be necessary to invest in an optional accessory that transfers images from the handheld MDScope to a personal computer.  This optional accessory is the  MDScope Image Dongle with Medical EDA software.As shown in the illustration at the left, the main MDScope component connects from the bottom of its base to the image dongle via the video cable prepackaged with the MDScope.  The dongle connects to a PC via a USB connection, allowing the user to now view and store images of the ear canal and tympanic membrane on the personal computer. The main system requirements for the MDScope Image Dongle include Microsoft Windows XP/ Windows Vista/Windows 7.

Posted in Otoscopes, Headlamps & Earlights | Tagged , , , , , | 11 Comments

Discontinued TV Ears Products: What Are Your Options?

Posted on August 17, 2011 by AU Bankaitis

Several TV Ears TV listening systems have been or soon will be discontinued with current plans to have some systems, but not necessarily all, eventually replaced with newer, updated TV Ears models.  Based on the most current information issued on August 11, 2011, effectively immediately, both the TV Ears Original Plus and TV Ears Professional Link have been discontinued with no apparent plans for newer TV Ears model replacements although that may change in the future per the discretion of TV Ears.

With regard to the TV Ears Original Plus, a comparable product operating on the same 95 KHz frequency is the Direct Ear Set-100J from Sennheiser.  The Direct Ear Set-100J is a high-quality TV listening system with superior microphone technology designed to work with 95 KHz transmitters typically installed in theaters and other entertainment venues.  Unfortunately, it costs about twice as much and offers a smaller operating range.  If cost is a factor, the Sennheiser Set-50TV is an infrared TV listening system available at essentially the same price point as the TV Ears Original Plus; the only difference is that the Sennheiser Set-50TV operates on the 2.3/2.8 MHz frequency rather than the 95 KHz frequency.

The TV Ears Professional Link has also been discontinued.  This infrared TV listening system was somewhat unique in that it was pre-packaged with one traditional headset (for use without hearing instruments) and a second loop receiver headset (for use with t-coil equipped hearing instruments). By purchasing the Sennhesier Set-830 TV listening system (infrared system for non-hearing aid wearers) and the  Sennheiser Ri-830s (receiver/headset only for t-coil equipped hearing aid wearers), a comparable system to the TV Ears Professional  can easily be recreated although at about twice the price and at a different operating frequency.

Finally, the TV Ears Professional will be discontinued as of September 1, 2011 with limited quantities available thereafter. The company plans on introducing a newer, digital model although it remains unclear as to the actual availability of this udpated product.  The TV Ears Professional comes pre-packaged with two traditional under-the-chin headsets for non-hearing instrument wearers. The Sennheiser Direct Ear Set-100J is the closest alternative to the TV Ears Professional although it comes with only one headset; investing in an additional under-the-chin headset is an option since the transmitter/battery charger allows for recharging two batteries at one time.  Please pass along this information to all your colleagues!

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Understanding Your Hearing

Posted on August 10, 2011 by AU Bankaitis

When counseling individuals about hearing loss, patients and family members may often feel overwhelmed in trying to not only process but to understand a lot of new information. Listening to a verbal explanation of audiometric test results while showing the corresponding audiogram may not be a sufficient format for facilitating effective discourse between clinician and patient, nor does it encourage the patient to take on a mutual responsibility in their hearing health care.  Fortunately, the Understanding Your Hearing patient counseling brochures are readily available to assist audiologists in effectively counseling patients.

Understanding Your Hearing is a series of educational materials written by Dr. Robert Margolis, professor and Director of Audiology at the University of Minnesota Academic Health Center, based on over 30 years of experience evaluating pediatric and adult populations with hearing loss. The  series is comprised of five distinct brochures: 1) Understanding Your Hearing, 2) Understanding Your Child’s Hearing, 3) Understanding Your Baby’s Hearing, 4) Understanding Your Audiogram, and 5) Understanding Your Hearing Aids.

The first three brochures explain degrees and types of hearing loss, effects of hearing loss on communication, common causes of hearing loss, and treatment for adults, children, and infants respectively.  Understanding Your Audiogram is a seven-page booklet reviewing the audiogram, how the ear works, and includes a glossary of hearing terminology whereas Understanding Your Hearing Aids outlines the benefits and limitations of amplification options, including key factors that contribute to successful use of hearing instruments. Be sure to stock up on your supply today and use these informative brochures to educate and empower your patients!

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Marketing on the Web, Self Talk & Audiology Clinics – guest post by Paul Dybala

Posted on August 3, 2011 by AU Bankaitis

How do you talk about yourself? Well, maybe not about yourself in a Stuart Smalley kind of way, but how you talk about yourself as a professional and/or your clinical practice.  I am a fan of making audiologist and audiology more household names, but I often have to explain that I am an “optometrist, but for your ears”.  I remember when I worked in the clinic, I would tell persons that I work at an “audiology clinic” and use the same type of explanation.  Recently, I was thinking, if many people don’t know what an audiologist is, let alone what an audiology clinic is, what words do they use to describe us?

This would obviously be important for marketing purposes, as you would be more likely to have more referrals if you used the same descriptor words that potential patients are using.  I mean, who would go to the grocery store for a sale on musa acuminata when all they wanted were some bananas?  You want to make a connection with the patient’s vernacular.  Any good audiologist already does this when explaining test results; why not do the same thing with your marketing?  But what words DO your patients use?

Google knows.  How? Every time you put your keywords in the little search bar, Google records those words and how often they are searched.  You can then do a comparison of search term frequency to start to answer the question above using the Google Tool https://adwords.google.com/select/KeywordToolExternal.

With some quick searches I found that “audiology clinic” is searched 1,300 times a month in the U.S. while “hearing aid center” is searched 6,600 times a month!  Interesting, eh? There are obviously other combinations of terms and it would depend on the services you offer, but I hope this is enough to get your to start thinking about how to talk about your clinical practice to the public.  When you take your marketing online via your website, this data becomes even more important.  Why? These are the terms that people use when they are looking for you and your website and you need to use them when you optimize your website for search engines. I know that the audiologist in me wants to teach people the proper terms for things, but sometimes you have to meet your patients where they are at.  The other point here, as my professor used to say, is that data does not lie.  Ignore it at your peril!

This blog post was contributed by Dr. Paul Dybala, Ph.D., an audiologist and the President of AudiologyOnline, the world leader in online learning, news and information, career opportunities and clinic websites for the hearing healthcare profession.  Be sure to check out Dr. Dybala’s free-to-view webinar on Website Marketing – Connect and Convert.  You can find access to that webinar and much more  information by visiting audiologyonline.com.

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One Good Earbud: not just for those with hearing loss!!

Posted on July 27, 2011 by AU Bankaitis

ehrIndividuals relying on traditional earbuds or headphones to listen to music with only one ear often complain about sound quality.  In this situation, using a typical mono and/or stereo earbud in one ear rather than two results in the loss of one of the two channels, providing the user with essentially only half of the music rather than enabling the user to experience full stereophonic sound.  This is an issue not only for people with hearing loss in only one ear, but for normal hearing cyclists, runners, snowboarders, and other active individuals who, for safety reasons, want to keep one ear unplugged so they can hear their surroundings.  A new product called One Good Earbud offers patients, active individuals, and/or athletes a viable solution.

One Good Earbud mixes both channels of stereo together for audio devices into one ear, providing stereo quality sound through a single earbud.  For individuals with single-sided deafness (SSD) or significant hearing loss in one ear, this product allows users to enjoy fuller sound.  For cyclists, runners, and other athletes with normal hearing, One Good Earbud offers an ideal way to listen to music in stereo via one ear while maintaining auditory alertness in the environment with the unplugged ear. One Good Earbud is available in left and right ear versions, items EHL and EHR respectively.

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