Making Same-Day Custom Ear Products On the Spot!

Posted on February 8, 2011 by AU Bankaitis

Did you know that instant silicone material is available for your convenience? Instant silicone products are designed for making custom earmolds, swim plugs, and/or noise protectors in-house, eliminating the need to send impressions to an earmold manufacturer.  These products are extremely convenient in a variety of situations including offering patients a relatively inexpensive, custom noise protector option beyond traditional foam or thermoplastic earplugs, providing instant  swim plugs for the pediatric population who may need these types of items replaced often, or as a staple when traveling abroad on humanitarian missions when resources and access to traditional forms of audiology-care will be significantly limited.

A popular product worth learning about is Insta-Mold which is available in two basic forms: 1) Insta-Mold II Silicone, and 2) Insta-Mold Featherweight Silicone. Both products enable the clinician to make custom products on-the-spot with essentially two major differences.  First, Insta-Mold II Silicone is a tub & accelerator system comprised of a relatively large tub (or tubs) of base and a smaller bottle-sized amount of hardener paste whereas Insta-Mold Featherweight Silicone is an equal component system packaged in two equal tubs of base & accelerator.  As such, measurement and preparation of the two types of Insta-Mold materials will inherently involve different preparation directions.  Second, Insta-Mold Featherweight Silicone is formulated with special lightweight reinforcing properties that makes the material floatable; Insta-Mold II Silicone is not floatable. From this perspective, the Insta-Mold Featherweight material may be more ideal for making swim plugs although either product can be used to make custom earmolds, noise protectors or swim plugs. Furthermore, both materials are available in a variety of colors and kits that include tools and accessories specifically geared toward making ear protection or swim plugs versus custom earmolds.  Keep this and other instant silicone products in mind for your practice convenience!

Posted in Impression Material | Tagged , , , , , , | 8 Comments

100 Sounds To See

Posted on February 3, 2011 by AU Bankaitis

The drip of thawing ice; a curious cat’s pur. The rumbling of an approaching storm or a pot of fresh coffee perking…..these are some of the simplest sounds that occur during an ordinary day that individuals with normal hearing may take for granted.  While progressively losing her own hearing, author Marsha Engle wanted to visually capture such sounds as a tribute to the beauty of hearing and a reminder to the hearing world to listen and appreciate everyday sounds.  She collaborated with photographer William J. Huber, resulting in the book 100 Sounds to See.  This book is a perfect gift to yourself or to friends and family; it may be a nice addition to your counseling room for patients to look at while waiting for earmold impression material to cure. More importantly, a portion of sale proceeds are being donated directly to the American Academy of Audiology Foundation to support research and education in pediatric audiology. A preview of the book is available on-line and may be purchased at www.amazon.com in hard-bound copy or in a Kindle edition. Since book sales support pediatric audiology, be sure to check out the complimentary on-demand viewing of 2010 Marion Downs Lecture in Pediatric Audiology by Mary Pat Moeller, PhD through March 31.

Posted in Audiology | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Nelson Quality Tools for Hearing Aids

Posted on February 1, 2011 by AU Bankaitis

About 15 years ago, an audiologist by the name of R. David Nelson of Ruthven, IA realized that the tools he personally made and used to clean hearing aids in his practice may come in handy for other clinicians. Dr. Nelson developed 12 different tools that may be divided into one of three groups: 1) loops, 2) picks, and 3) brushes. Each tool is handmade with a hardwood handle that is color-coded at the end of the handle to assist with tool identification. The tool tips are comprised of either surgical steel stems or the highest-quality available brush material. While each tool may be purchased separately, the Nelson Tool Hearing Aid Starter Set (pictured above) represents the complete 12-piece set packaged in a convenient hard-shell carrying and storage case.  A Nelson Tool Cleaning Station (pictured right) is also available and includes 26 Nelson Tools with a tray and brush cleaner, the perfect item to keep your quality Nelson Tools clean and ready for use!

Posted in Tools & Accessories | Tagged , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Earplugs that fit in your wallet!

Posted on January 27, 2011 by AU Bankaitis

Disposable foam earplugs are typically available in cylinder or bullet-shaped styles that must be rolled and compressed prior to insertion into the ear canal. One relatively new earplug product offers unique packaging that may be appealing to some of your patients. Mack’s Roll-Up Wallet Earplugs are disposable, foam earplugs designed to provide hearing protection. Unlike traditional foam earplugs, these earplugs are packaged flat such that they can be easily carried or stored in a wallet. When ready to use, the earplugs are removed from the cardboard backing and then rolled, with both hands lengthwise using thumbs and forefingers, to form a cylinder-shaped earplug.  The rolled-up earplug is inserted into the ear canal by gently pushing forward and turning the earplug in the direction it was rolled-up, for a comfortable and secure fit. Four pairs of flat earplugs are packaged in each box and each pair is individually wrapped in plastic. Packaging indicates a noise reduction rating (NRR) of 21 dB.  For a more in-depth review of hearing protection, check out the free-to-view webinar on Clinical Evaluation of Hearing Protectors.

Posted in Hearing Conservation | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Telephones with Remote Troubleshooting Capabilities

Posted on January 25, 2011 by AU Bankaitis

Wouldn’t it be nice if ALDs could troubleshoot themselves when patients experience difficulty using them when they aren’t in your office? Several amplified telephones from Clarity are equipped with the latest innovation in product support that enables customer support representatives to remotely adjust and optimize phone setting for the end-user. Referred to as ClarityLogic, users simply touch the ClarityLogic button on their amplified Clarity telephone which, in turns, puts them in touch with a Clarity customer service representative via a 1-800 toll-free number.  Data from the end-user’s amplified telephone is simultaneously uploaded to a secure website where the customer service rep can access product information and make necessary adjustments, such as increasing or decreasing amplification levels; adjusting tone; programming the phonebook; or customizing speed dial. ClarityLogic is currently available with three corded amplified telephones including the Clarity Professional XL50, XL40D, and XL45 (shown). This free-of-charge service is anticipated to roll out to other Clarity products in the future. Something to consider for your patients!

Posted in Hearing Assistance Technology | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Sweet Treats for your Pediatric Patients!

Posted on January 20, 2011 by AU Bankaitis

Put a smile on faces of your pediatric patients with some great little reward ideas! Have some kid-friendly “I had my hearing tested today!” stickers available to give to your patients for a job well done during an audiometric assessment or cochlear implant mapping.  The “I Love My Audiologist” stickers are also great to have on hand. Both stickers are available in a roll of 100 stickers for around $5.  Better yet, who doesn’t like chocolate? Milk chocolate ears are the perfect gift to give out on Valentine’s Day and Halloween or just to have on hand in the office for both kids and adults. These great tasting treats are available in individually wrapped lollipops (1 oz), a box of four individually wrapped chocolate ears (1 oz each) packaged in a gold box, as well as in a box of either 8 or 50 bite-size, individually foil-wrapped chocolate ears. These chocolate ears are simply “Ear-resistable” so be sure to have plenty in stock.  Keep in mind that the ears are made of chocolate; it is best to order these edible treats during colder months.

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Free Tools to use with your Hearing Aid Patients

Posted on January 18, 2011 by AU Bankaitis

Cleaning hearing instruments the right way is important; simply wiping them with a tissue or using a brush to clean the surface is not enough. The ear is a dark, warm, moist place where bacteria and other germs, some good and some bad, like to grow. These organisms get on hearing instrument and/or earmold surfaces and continue to grow if not properly cleaned and disinfected.

To effectively teach patients proper technique, stock up on some free tools for use in your clinic.  The AudioWipes Laminated Instruction Sheet (pictured right) is an 8″ x 11″ two-sided laminated sheet.  The front side outlines how to properly clean and disinfect hearing aids; the other side summarizes why cleaning and disinfecting hearing aids is important. AudioWipes Prescription Pads are also available.  Each prescription pad comes in 50 sheet blocks. When teaching proper hearing aid cleaning technique, tear off a sheet and give it to your patient to take home as a reminder and to reinforce the importance of proper hearing aid care. Next time you order AudioWipes from Oaktree Products, simply ask for these counseling tools! They are great to have on hand and are available at no additional cost.

Not convinced that stuff can grow on hearing aids? Check out the article “What is growing on your patients’ hearing aids”  as well as the follow-up article “What’s still growing on your patients’ hearing aids?” from The Hearing Journal archives.

Posted in Infection Control | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

Pretty Neat NeoZoline Cerumen Removal Instruments

Posted on January 13, 2011 by AU Bankaitis

Oaktree Products offers a unique line of NeoZoline cerumen removal instruments in both stainless steel and disposable options. The stainless steel NeoZoline Alligator Forceps have been annodized in a non-reflective powder coating, resulting in a black-colored instrument. The advantage of the coating is that it will absorb light, eliminating light reflections when the ear canal is illuminated with an otoscope or other light source. Also, the price of the stainless steel NeoZoline forceps is less expensive than other stainless steel forceps. The NeoZoline forceps is available in both a standard (7mm jaw length, item #M1730) and fine (4mm jaw length, item #M1731) size. Since these instruments are critical instruments, they must be cleaned and then sterilized prior to reuse as outlined in OSHA infection control standards.

NeoZoline also offers a line of disposable instruments. Rather than plastic, these instruments are comprised of a carbon fiber/nylon material which results in a much more rigid instrument compared to traditional plastic disposable instruments.  This translates to a disposable instrument that handles more like a stainless steel instrument and, therefore, more effective in extracting drier cerumen, all at a disposable instrument price! Carbon fiber/nylon Buck curettes (item #NZ3431) and right angle hooks (item #NZ3441) are available in boxes of 100. Disposable instruments are considered one-time only instruments and must be disposed of after use with one patient. Perfect for the audiologist on the go or someone who does not remove cerumen often but needs access to relatively inexpensive mechanical tools.

Posted in Cerumen Management | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments