How To:
- Use the Online Hearing Screening Test—A First Step to Hearing Help
- Combine Open-Fit Technology with Directional Performance
- Offer No Interest Financing to Patients
- Find Out if the Noise Reduction Function of a Hearing Instrument is Working
- Fit the ReSoundAIR and ReSoundAIR Plus in Five Steps
- Use the Configuration Features on the Affinity Test System
- Use Speech Reception Thresholds to Screen School-Age Children
- Make Use of the Activity Analyzer in the Oticon Syncro 2
- Benefit from Three Versatile Fitting Options
- Run a Battery Club Program
- Reduce or Eliminate the Occlusion Effect
- Scan Ear Impressions Right in Your Office
- Do Better than Saying “You’ll Get Used to the Sound of Your Own Voice”
- Help Patients Overcome Price Objections with SoundChoice
- Get Better Results with Directional Mics
- Ensure Patient Satisfaction Using the Senso Diva ITC
- Make Battery Sales More Profitable While Promoting Your Practice
Patient Care |
How To Use the Online Hearing Screening Test— A First Step to Hearing Help ![]() The Online-Hearing Test provides a reasonably reliable estimate of hearing loss in the critical speech frequencies from 250 Hz-4000 Hz. The test is available at www.apherma.com/web2004/test.htm. It must be stressed that this test is designed for screening purposes only; it is not intended to replace the more accurate traditional assessment performed in the clinic by a qualified hearing care professional.
The Online Hearing Test is available at www.apherma.com/web2004/test.htm. For more detailed information on the test, see the article by Zezhang Hou, PhD, and Huanping Dai, PhD, entitled “An Online Hearing Screening Test” in the October 2004 Hearing Review, pgs 48-49. |
For Information, contact: Apherma Corporation Sunnyvale, Calif, (877) 274-3762 www.apherma.com |
Fitting Tips |
How to Combine Open-Fit Technology with Directional Performance ![]() Introduced at the AAA Convention in Washington, DC, SwissEar is the intelligent combination of the accuracy of ChannelFree™ digital sound processing with OpenFit™ technology to provide a high-frequency open fitting solution. The new hearing instrument is designed to be unique not only in signal processing and for its directional microphone, but it is also an exceptional solution for the first-time high-frequency hearing loss patient who may need more amplification in the future. Bernafon’s OASIS plus™ software allows the clinician to convert the SwissEar into a full-gain behind-the-ear directional fitting solution in your office via a software setting and a physical ear hook change. SwissEar™ is available this month (July 2005).
Win is the most competitively priced digital hearing solution from Bernafon, allowing hearing care professionals to reach significantly more people—even those with limited budgets. For additional information on all of Bernafon’s products, contact (888) 941-4203, or visit the company’s Web site at www.bernafon-us.com. |
For Information, contact: Bernafon LLC Somerset, NJ, (888) 941-4203 www.bernafon-us.com |
Fitting Tips |
How to Find Out if the Noise Reduction Function of a Hearing Instrument is Working ![]() With the modulated Digital Speech and steady-state composite signals available on FONIX analyzers, a simple test can be made to determine if the noise reduction feature is working on a digital hearing aid.
With a FP35 analyzer, from the opening screen:
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For information, contact: Frye Electronics, Tigard, Ore, (800) 547-8209 www.frye.com |
Fitting Tips |
How to Use the Configuration Features on the Affinity Test System![]() While the HIT440 comes with a standard set of stimuli, including ICRA sound files and speech dialogue using male and female voices, in future applications other test stimuli may be developed by hearing aid manufacturers which can then be imported via WAV files and stored within the test setups. Other special applications allow testing of directional microphones, and you can program hearing aid processing delays as well. A unique “Pause” feature provides the ability to insert a JPG photo with instructions prior to running a section of the test. For example, a reminder can be inserted that would tell the tester to either minimize or maximize the AGC circuit of a hearing aid in order to comply with the new ANSI procedure.
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For information, contact: Interacoustics Eden Prairie, Minn, (800) 947-6334 www.interacoustics-us.com |
Pediatric Testing |
How to Use Speech Reception Thresholds to Screen School-Age Children ![]() The fully portable Digital Pilot Test audiometer integrates an automated Speech Reception Threshold (SRT) test into the instrument. This allows an SRT to be quickly obtained in a screening situation for those children who have a difficult time responding to pure-tones. The test is turned into the “Pilot” game in which the child “helps the airplane pilot fly the plane” by pointing out the pictures when prompted. Digitally recorded sentences containing spondee words, such as “Show me the baseball,” play through the earphones. The child identifies the word by pointing to the corresponding illustration on the picture board. Each consecutive sentence is reduced in level by 5 dB, down to 15 dB. Since the test is designed specifically for screening purposes, the entire test can
For older children who are comfortable with pure-tones, the Pilot Test audiometer includes a manual air-conduction audiometer for traditional pure-tone screenings. |
For information, contact: Maico Diagnostics Eden Prairie, Minn, (888) 941-4201 www.maico-diagnostics.com |
Fitting Tips |
How to Make Use of the Activity Analyzer in the Oticon Syncro 2 ![]() The advanced analysis includes information such as the distribution of sound levels across the time that the hearing aid has been active, the proportion of the time that speech and/or noise signals are present, and the amount of time spent in the three directional modes (Surround, Split and Full Directional). The professional can access this data any time that the patient is in the office for follow-up. The data storage can be cleared at any point in time and different monitoring periods can be compared. The data can be used for three major purposes:
2) It can reveal to the professional important aspects about the patient’s auditory life experiences. 3) It can demonstrate to the patient and family members the sophisticated manner in which Syncro analyzes and reacts to the environment. |
For information, contact: Oticon Inc Somerset, NJ, (800) 526-3921 www.oticonus.com |
Marketing |
How to Run a Battery Club Program![]() Rayovac ProLine Battery Club programs can be executed in a variety of ways: Battery Club Booklets, Frequent Purchaser Punch Cards, and Frequent Purchaser Battery Coupons. Battery Club Booklets. These booklets, supplied free by Rayovac ProLine and customized for your office, can be used as either pre-paid or a pay-as-you-go programs. By offering the pre-paid option, you are able to secure battery sales up front with your patient and assure a contact point for future purchases. A pay-as-you-go program gives your patient the option to enjoy the savings of a battery club while being financially flexible. Frequent Purchaser Punch Cards. Punch Cards, also customized free of charge by Rayovac ProLine, offer a simple battery club option. Handled like many other loyalty programs, patients simply receive a punch on their card when they purchase hearing aid batteries from your office. After a pre-determined amount of purchases, your patient receives a free pack of hearing aid batteries.
By taking the time to discuss hearing aid batteries with your patients and enrolling them in a battery club program, you can establish that important ongoing link that will bring them back to your office for their next hearing instrument. What an easy way to get repeat hearing aid and battery purchases directed back to you! |
For information, contact: Rayovac Corp Madison, Wis, (800) 356-7422 www.rayovac.com; |
Fitting Tips |
How to Scan Ear Impressions Right in Your Office![]() ely online, iScan™ is designed to eliminate the traditional barriers to productivity. There is no need for order forms, shipping hassles, or waiting. With just a few mouse clicks, an order is transmitted directly to Siemens by either the mySiemens e-business Web site or via the NOAH eTona electronic ordering system. iScan also reduces turnaround time by up to 48 hours for a quick response patients will appreciate.
Additionally, with iScan’s digital storage capabilities, hearing care professionals now have the option to order remakes or replacements for lost or damaged instruments without the need for a new impression. 3D impressions are stored at Siemens for up to three years. |
For information, contact: Siemens Hearing Instruments Piscataway, NJ, (800) 766-4500 www.siemens-hearing.com |
Fitting Tips |
How to Do Better than Saying “You’ll Get Used to the Sound of Your Own Voice”![]() The “Voice Manager” tab, under “Fit Hearing Aid” in EXPRESSfit, allows the clinician to make these adjustments interactively. Ideally, the perceived location of the wearer’s own voice should be in front of the mouth, with minimized “boominess” and harshness, and no “echo.”
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For information, contact: Sonic Innovations Salt Lake City, Utah, (801) 365-2800 www.sonici.com |
Fitting Tips |
How to Ensure Patient Satisfaction Using the Senso Diva ITC Fitting a custom Senso Diva hearing aid is simpler than you think. However, there are several steps to remember in order to ensure satisfaction with the fitting. 1. Start with a perfect ear impression. Make sure that the ear canal is clean before you take the impression. Also make sure the impression material goes beyond the second bend, and covers the tragus and helix areas of the pinna. 2. Ensure comfort. Make sure that the Senso Diva ITC fits comfortably in the ear and that the angles formed by the dual microphones are within 20° of each other in both the horizontal and sagittal planes. Check that the faceplate is not inserted by more than 3 mm beyond the tragus, and that both microphone openings are visible (see figure).
4. Conduct feedback test. A feedback test will be needed to estimate the feedback path and to set the gain limit of the Senso Diva. Make sure that the test is performed in a quiet room with no reflective surfaces near the patient. A slight “jaw-open” position is desirable. 5. Voila! You have just fit a Senso Diva hearing aid successfully. This will satisfy the majority of your patients. Additional fine-tuning
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For information, contact: Widex Hearing Aid Co Long Island City, NY, (800) 221-0188 www.widexusa.com |