best practices Archives

Effects of Probe Tubes Inserted Through Earmold Vents on Real-Ear Probe Microphone Measurements

by Stefani Kim | Sep 10, 2019 | Fitting Equipment, Patient Fittings, Research | 0

Effects of inserting the probe tube through various sized vents, as well as under the earmold, during real-ear probe mic testing were examined in this study by Stephen Painton, PhD, and Taylor Sweeney. Results seem to support the practice of inserting the probe tube through the vents of earmolds for a “truer” low-frequency measure. This seemed to be the case regardless of the diameter of the vent. All conditions with the probe tube under the earmold seemed to show a “slit leak” effect on the low-frequency output measures that was larger than any effect shown by the probe tube being placed through the vent.

Addressing the Needs of Pediatric Patients and Their Parents: An Interview with Jane Madell, PhD

by Stefani Kim | Jun 21, 2019 | Pediatric Testing, Testing Software | 1

Jane Madell, PhD, has been a leading figure in pediatric audiology for the past 45 years. She is an audiologist, speech-language pathologist, and LSLS auditory-verbal therapist, with degrees from Emerson College (BA) and University of Wisconsin (MA, PhD). Her experience ranges from Deaf Nursery programs to leadership positions at the League for the Hard of Hearing, Long Island College Hospital, as well as Beth Israel Medical Center/New York Eye and Ear Infirmary as director of the Hearing and Learning Center and Cochlear Implant Center.

Addressing the Needs of Pediatric Patients and Their Parents: An Interview with Jane Madell, PhD

by Stefani Kim | Jun 21, 2019 | Uncategorized | 0

Jane Madell, PhD, has been a leading figure in pediatric audiology for the past 45 years. She is an audiologist, speech-language pathologist, and LSLS auditory-verbal therapist, with degrees from Emerson College (BA) and University of Wisconsin (MA, PhD). Her experience ranges from Deaf Nursery programs to leadership positions at the League for the Hard of Hearing, Long Island College Hospital, as well as Beth Israel Medical Center/New York Eye and Ear Infirmary as director of the Hearing and Learning Center and Cochlear Implant Center.

Re-evaluating Best Practices for Patient Needs

by Karl | May 14, 2019 | Growth Strategies, Practice Building | 0

Audiologist Dennis Van Vliet says smart, time-saving approaches to patient care must be efficient and not sacrifice the elements of good practice, but we shouldn’t doggedly stick to a prescribed routine that calls for rote completion of procedures when they yield little of the information needed to manage patients’ needs.

Widex Launches #KeepMakingWaves Campaign for Hearing Healthcare Professionals and Patients

by Stefani Kim | Apr 25, 2019 | Growth Strategies, Practice Management | 0

By participating in #KeepMakingWaves, patients and prospects can read stories of success. According to Widex, they can get insight into best practices, things to ask their doctor or clinician, and, overall, how to play a better role in their own hearing health.

Best Practices for Eligibility for Captioned Telephone Services Suggested by AAA and ASHA

by Karl | Apr 17, 2019 | Amplification, Events, Hearing Aids, Organizations, People, Regulation | 0

Responding to published concerns by the FCC that captioned telephone services (CTS) are being utilized by people who are not appropriate candidates—leading to potential funding deficits of this critical service—the American Academy of Audiology and the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association have jointly developed proposed best practices for determining eligibility for the program.

The Need for Standards in Audiology

by Stefani Kim | Feb 18, 2019 | Practice Building | 1

In creating and adopting standards of practice for audiology, we provide a shield for ourselves and our patients that will demonstrate the high level of care audiologists are capable of providing, improve confidence in audiology care, deter others from infringing on the audiology scope of practice, and protect each other from legal threats which may arise in the future.

Evaluating Select Personal Sound Amplifiers and a Consumer-Decision Model for OTC Amplification

by Karl | Dec 12, 2018 | Amplification, Common Risk Factors, Hearing Disorders, Over the Counter, Patient Fittings, Personal Sound Amplification, Research | 0

OTC hearing devices are coming, but how should they function and for whom should they be recommended? Drs Ron Leavitt, Ruth Bentler, and Carol Flexer present six case studies showing that people with true moderate hearing loss may not be well served by what has been characterized as a “consumer-decides” model of care.

Coupler and Real-Ear Performance between PSAPs and Hearing Aids

by Karl | Oct 23, 2018 | Over the Counter, Research | 0

Before jumping to the conclusion that any PSAP and/or future OTC hearing device would be suitable for the many different types of hearing losses, we need to look at their coupler and real-ear performance data. This study by Adam Voss, Kristi Oeding, AU Bankaitis, John Pumford, and Michael Valente suggests current PSAPs are suitable for mild losses only.

OTC: Let’s Get on the Same Page!

by Stefani Kim | Oct 5, 2018 | Over the Counter, Patient Fittings, Sensorineural, Testing & Diagnostics | 0

Now that we’ve defined (at minimum) what an OTC hearing device should look like, maybe it’s time to start defining a minimal standard for what a professional hearing aid fitting should look like.

New Study Shows 4 in 5 Patients Prefer Hearing Aid Fittings with REM

by Karl | Sep 24, 2018 | Patient Fittings | 0

Valente et al found that 79% of the study participants preferred the programmed fittings using REM versus the first-fit. They conclude that “Using a first-fit alone without reprogramming using REM is fitting hearing aids blindly and not determining whether the patient is being provided appropriate audibility for soft and average speech…The audiologist or hearing aid dispenser can never be certain if he/she is appropriately fitting the patient without using REM.”

OTC and AAA, ADA, IHS, and ASHA: Now That We’re All on the Same Page…

by Karl | Aug 24, 2018 | Continuing Education | 0

It’s time to clearly distinguish professional service from self-service by showing why licensed hearing care professionals can make a huge difference in hearing aid outcomes. Let’s commit to getting consumers a list of essentials by creating a voluntary standard protocol for every licensed professional who dispenses hearing aids. Let’s spell out what consumers should expect. And then let’s promote the hell out of it.

Oticon Drive Marketing Conference Took Place June 1-3 in North Carolina

by Stefani Kim | Jun 7, 2018 | Growth Strategies, Practice Building | 0

The Oticon “marketing intensive” aims to empower independent practitioners to accelerate practice growth with marketing approaches and tools designed to reach the consumers who are vital to their practice’s success.

Best Practices in Hearing Aid Dispensing: An Interview with Michael Valente, PhD

by Stefani Kim | Nov 30, 2017 | Patient Fittings, Practice Building | 1

Dr Valente is the author and co-author of four books, and is a well-known authority on audiologic testing, hearing aid fitting, research, and single-sided deafness.

The Perils of Taking the Easy Road

by Stefani Kim | Jun 22, 2017 | Continuing Education | 0

As we look for more efficient and better ways of doing our jobs, I would challenge us to ask ourselves whether we are avoiding a hard road that leads to excellence, and slipping into a pathway that seems efficient but leads to mediocrity.

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