Cool Tool for Audiologists to Have Handy

Posted on November 4, 2010 by AU Bankaitis

A mirror is not the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about tools needed in the audiology clinic but we all have them and we all use them with our patients. There is a new mirror available that is ideal  for audiology applications.

The 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. It is the perfect tool to have handy in your practice. Use the Mirror-Go-Round when teaching patients proper insertion of their custom hearing instruments. Let kids see how cool their EarGear or Tube Riders look when they wear their hearing instruments. Make it available for Baha or cochlear implant patients so they can see what the external processor looks like.  The mirror folds up so it is both compact and portable. Available at Oaktree Products for about ten bucks.

Posted in Tools & Accessories | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Stand Alone Amplified Answering Machines Making a Comeback!

Posted on November 2, 2010 by AU Bankaitis

While there are several corded and cordless amplified telephones currently available with built-in answering machines, the stand-alone answering machine is making a comeback!  Two new products have been recently introduced, offering a unique feature beneficial not only for those patients with hearing loss, but for those with underlying auditory processing issues who experience difficulty understanding phone messages.

The  Amplicom AB900 (shown above) is a stand-alone amplified answering machine designed to interface with an existing telephone and to work like a traditional stand-alone answering machine. The unit is equipped with an adjustable VOLUME button which amplifies messages up to 40dB and a rotary frequency TONE control. More importantly, the AB900 is equipped with a rotary PLAY BACK speed control, allowing the user to adjust the speed of recorded messages.

The ClearSounds ANS3000 digital amplified answering machine is also available (pictured to the left). This particular answering machine offers up to 30dB of amplification and is equipped with easy-to-read buttons. The ANS3000 offers three levels of message play back speed control; level 1 plays messages at normal speed, level 2 at slower speeds, and level 3 at the slowest speed. Like the Amplicom AB900, messages may also accessed remotely.  Keep these new products in mind for your patients!

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Sizing Up Ear Gear

Posted on October 28, 2010 by AU Bankaitis

The Ear Gear Retainer and Protection System  is a spandex sleeve that fits snugly over  a variety of BTE hearing instruments,  BAHA, and cochlear implant processors and designed to protect these devices from moisture and dirt. Available in both cordless and corded versions, the corded version of Ear Gear not only serves as a hearing instrument moisture protector, but also a retainer system.

This product is available in a variety of models generally based on hearing instrument device size . For example, Ear Gear Original is designed to fit hearing instruments with a body length ranging from 1.25 to 2 inches which typically encompasses those instruments that run on size 13 batteries. Longer versions in the form of Ear Gear FM are available to specifically fit hearing instruments that are 2 to 3 inches in length that mostly run on size 675 batteries. In addition, the Ear Gear FM is also intended for shorter-length BTE instruments that accommodate FM attachments.

Three different styles including Square, Curved, and Micro have recently been introduced to accommodate newer, smaller open fit hearing instruments. Both the Ear Gear Square and Ear Gear Curved styles are intended for BTE instruments that are no more than 1.25″ in length with the Curved style maintaining a more distinct triangular shape than the boxier Square model. Lastly, the Ear Gear Micro style is for hearing instruments up to 1″ in length.

Finally, there are Ear Gear models designed for BAHA processors up to 1.25″ in length and BTE cochlear implant processors that are 2″ to 3″ in length. For a more information on specific hearing instrument products lines and corresponding Ear Gear recommended models, access an updated list from gearforears.com.

Posted in Hearing Aid Dehumidifiers & Moisture Protection | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Rechargeable Otoscope Batteries…there is a difference!

Posted on October 26, 2010 by AU Bankaitis

There are three general types of rechargeable batteries available for otoscopes including Nickel Cadmium (NiCad), Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH), and Lithium Ion (LI-ON). Appreciating how these battery technologies differ from one another should help in making an informed otoscope purchase decision in the future.

Of the three battery technologies, NiCad batteries are prone to what is referred to as a memory effect. Memory effect refers to a battery’s inability to remember how much reserve capacity it has left prior to recharging. If an otoscope powered by a NiCad battery has used up only 60% of its capacity when it gets recharged, the battery “forgets” about the 40% reserve capacity; while the battery will successfully recharge, it will now assume a 60% capacity rather than the original 100%. To avoid this, make sure the full reserve of the otoscope battery is used up prior to recharging.

Capacity refers to the amount of energy a rechargeable battery holds.  Both NiMH and LI-ON batteries maintain higher capacities than NiCad batteries with LI-ON batteries holding more than NiMH. Batteries with higher capacities will obviously run longer but without necessarily adding additional bulk or weight to the battery. For example, a full-size otoscope handle powered by a LI-ON rechargeable battery not only holds more energy, it also weighs about half as much as a NiCad full-size handle.

Discharge rate refers to how quickly a battery expends its capacity. LI-ON batteries have much slower discharge rates than NiCad or NiMH batteries and will, therefore, retain their charge about twice as long. Furthermore, LI-ON batteries retain most of their charge even after months of non-use. In contrast, NiMH and NiCad batteries can lose anywhere from 1% to 5% of their charge per day respectively even if the battery isn’t being used.

Of course, you don’t get something for nothing. While LI-ON batteries provide many advantages, they cost more. On average, a rechargeable LI-ON otoscope handle will run about $180 more than a NiCad handle with the LI-ON replacement battery about $100 more than a NiCad replacement battery.

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

IR versus RF TV Listening Devices

Posted on October 14, 2010 by AU Bankaitis

TV listening devices allow individuals to adjust the volume of the TV according to their needs without making it too loud for others. The main components of a TV listening device include a transmitter and receiver. The transmitter interfaces with the TV (or other audio device) and serves as the charging unit for the TV listening system’s headset. In addition, the

Receiver

Transmitter

transmitter is designed to wirelessly send the audio output of the TV to the receiver worn by the user, usually in the form of an under-the-chin headset. The signal delivered by the transmitter to the receiver will be one of the following:  1) an infrared (IR) signal or 2) a radio frequency (RF) signal.

Infrared (IR) devices are designed such that the transmitter sends signals from the TV to the receiver via an invisible beam of light. The user is able to manipulate the volume of the incoming signal utilizing the volume control of their under-the-chin headset. Since this technology relies on the use of light transmission, IR devices require the user to maintain a reasonable line-of-sight between the transmitter and receiver for efficient and uninterrupted signal transmission. For example, if the user of an IR device leaves the room while wearing the headset, transmission of the TV signal will quickly be lost, resulting in static. Other sources of potential interference include flourescent lighting and sunlight.  Most IR systems are not compatible with plasma TVs. One advantage of IR devices is the headset may potentially be used outside of the home in other venues (i.e. theater, symphony hall, etc.) equipped with compatible and functioning IR transmitters.

Radio frequency (RF) devices function in the same fashion as IR devices with the exception that the transmitter sends signals from the TV to the receiver via a radio frequency or RF signal. The main advantage of this transmission technology is the absence of line-of-sight restrictions; the user of an RF device can leave the room or the house without losing signal transmission assuming the user remains within established system operating distances.

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Get a handle on recharging your full-size Welch Allyn NiCad otoscope

Posted on October 12, 2010 by AU Bankaitis

Recharging the NiCad battery of a standard full-size Welch Allyn otoscope handle (Model 71000-A) requires accessing the portion of the handle that plugs into a standard wall outlet.  To do so, unscrew the otoscope handle at midpoint to reveal the hidden prongs. While this sounds relatively straightforward, a subtle handle design idiosyncrasy occasionally causes some confusion. If the handle is not unscrewed at the precise mid-point junction, rather than gainingaccess to the prongs, unscrewing the handle at midpoint will  reveal the upper portion of the rechargeable battery compartment. The key is totake note of the black ring located approximately at mid-point of the handle (refer to image of otoscope handle). As illustrated in

Above black ring

Below black ring

the images to the left, unscrewing the handle above the black ring will expose the prongs needed to recharge the battery whereas unscrewing the handle below the black ring will expose the top portion of the battery compartment.

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Suction Pump that really sucks….in a good way

Posted on October 7, 2010 by AU Bankaitis

Considering a suction pump for your practice? Check out the Pro-Power Vacuum/Aspirator. There are a couple of things that makes this product a favorite. First, it is a relatively inexpensive suction pump designed not only for removing cerumen and debris from hearing instruments, but may be used to remove cerumen from the ear canal during cerumen management procedures. Whereas some comparable suction pumps will run anywhere from $450-$900, the Pro-Power Vacuum/Aspirator is about $300. Second, this suction pump is lightweight, making it very portable. Third, the Pro-Power’s motor creates up to a 22″Hg vacuum, making it comparable in terms of vacuum performance when compared to more expensive models designed for ENT applications.  Finally, the design of this suction pump does not require a lot of space and it runs quietly.

Regardless of which suction pump you invest in, many aspirators are not packaged with the necessary suction tubes required for cerumen removal procedures. While the Pro-Power Vacuum/Aspirator is packaged with various suction needles, cones, and cleaning tools, a suction tube is not included and will need to be purchased separately. For adults, a size 8 French suction tube seems to work the best.

Posted in Cerumen Management | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Is a written infection control plan necessary?

Posted on October 5, 2010 by AU Bankaitis

One common questioned I am asked when presenting on the topic of infection control is whether a written infection control plan is really necessary. The short answer to this question is “YES”!.  The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires facilities providing patient care services to have and maintain a written infection control plan.  The infection control plan must include six sections including employee categorization, HBV vaccination, training plan & training records, work practice controls, emergency procedures, and post-exposure evaluation & follow-up. Of these six sections, all of them may be identical from one practice or clinic to the next with the exception of the section covering work practice controls. Work practice controls are profession-specific, written procedures that outline how audiology-related procedures will be executed in a manner consistent with minimizing the potential spread of disease or cross-contamination. Since every clinic will differ in terms of breadth of services provided, the number of work practice control to be included in a written plan will depend on the number of services provided at that specific clinic. Furthermore, since executing an audiology procedure may be associated with a range of acceptable variations consistent with infection control standards, work practice controls for the same clinical procedure may differ from one clinic to the next.

Posted in Infection Control | Tagged , , | 9 Comments