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NewsletterJune 2006 |
Hello, everyone! |
 | Summer is such a great time of year. I know many of you are planning vacations with your families. It's the time to see grandkids and have family reunions. All the more important to make sure you hear well and can communicate with your loved ones; stay involved and included in all the latest family happenings! |  | |
 We had a great 3 days with Nikolas Klakow during our Bernafon sales event. It's always good to have Nikolas with us and learn the latest about the new technology from his company. |
Technology is changing so fast, but that is a positive thing. We have seen hearing aid circuitry become more flexible and able to address more issues that people have with their hearing. It's wonderful to be able to say, "Yes, we can help you with that."
Many good digital products are priced more affordably these days. Of course, the more feature-rich a product is, the more the cost. People often ask why hearing aids cost so much. One would think that something that small would have a smaller price tag. Well, unlike other electronic appliances, such as TVs and stereo systems, hearing aids are not mass-produced. Most hearing instruments are custom made to the individual's ear and hearing needs. The shell of the custom hearing instrument can be likened to one's dentures----they will fit the individual it is made for. You wouldn't wear someone else's dentures, nor would you wear someone else's custom hearing instrument. In addition to the shell, the circuit that is fit inside the shell is customized to accommodate the individual's hearing loss and needs.
Once the hearing instrument is made, other factors are taken into consideration in the fitting of the instrument: the person's lifestyle, hearing environments, unique demands upon their hearing that are important in the programming and adjustment of the instruments. Over the years, the personalized attention needed to maintain the proper fit and programming of these instruments is very professionally demanding. That's why we emphasize that it is important that you find a qualified and talented dispenser when you purchase your hearing instruments. You are not just purchasing the product, you are purchasing the care and expertise of the dispenser. And, with all the technological changes coming down the line, this is becoming increasingly vital. |
Here's a pretty handy hint, sent to me by my cousin, Steve, in MA: Steve uses an electric Dry and Store device for his hearing instruments. Not wanting to misplace the batteries once he takes them out of the instruments before putting them in the dryer, he has attached a magnetic strip along the case of the drying unit. Whenever he dries his aids, he puts the batteries on the magnetic strip….so they're handy when he take his aids from the unit! No more hunting for where he put his batteries! Thanks for the tip, Steve!
If any of you have any helpful hints or interesting info to share, please feel free to send me your comments. |
The Malady of Tinnitus
In the next few Newsletters, I'd like to address an increasingly common malady we are facing these days: Tinnitus. This is seemingly becoming a more common problem among our population, affecting about 50 million Americans to some extent.
Tinnitus is not a disease, but a symptom of a rather elusive array of problems confronting the auditory system. The actual problem may occur in any or all of the following places: the nervous system, the ear, the brain. While it is thought to be most often generated in the brain, the cause is usually from damage to the inner ear. Quite a bit of research is being conducted in this field, but no "magic bullet" solution looms on the horizon for this distressing condition that ranges from mildly irritating to debilitating. Tinnitus is often described as a "ringing" in the ears, but it can manifest itself in a variety of ways. Some people hear a "chirping" sound, some a roar, some clicking, some even hear 16 part harmony! One customer of ours hears the song, "You are My Sunshine", over and over!
In the next few Newsletters, we will address this frustrating symptom, and try to provide some hope for those who suffer this malady. Meanwhile, if you need immediate help, you can contact The American Tinnitus Association, P.O. Box 5, Portland, OR 97207; 800-634-8978; email at tinnitus@ata.org . Their website can be accessed at www.ata.org. |
As always, your questions and comments are welcome.
Beth Bell |
Quote of the Month
"The great calamity is not to have failed, but to have failed to try"
Author Unknown |
Reminders |
| If you last had your hearing instruments cleaned in January, it is time to get them cleaned this month! |
Assisted Listening Devices |
| For Assisted Listening Devices, please visit our online store. We offer many products, including TV Ears, at competitive prices and shipped directly to your door. Satisfaction guaranteed. |
Referrals |
If you know someone who has been thinking about getting some new hearing aids and benefiting from newer technology, please send them our way. If they purchase a set of premium digital instruments, we will gladly supply you with 2 free boxes of batteries. If they purchase a set of basic or advanced digital hearing instruments, we will supply you with 1 free box of batteries.
We appreciate your referrals! As you know, we do not use telemarketing to acquire new customers. We rely upon word-of-mouth and media advertising. Not only will they receive the best care, but we can save them money, too! |
Questions? Comments? |
| Do you have a question, comment, or concern? Do you have a testimonial that you would like us to include in a future newsletter? Please don't hesitate to contact Jim or contact me. |
How to receive our newsletter |
| If you have friends or loved ones who would like to receive our newsletter via email, we will be happy to add them to our email list. All you need to do is have them contact me to provide me with their name and email address. We also have copies of the newsletter in our office if you would like to pick them up here. |
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How to contact us
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Office Hours
Monday thru Friday 9-5
Saturday by appointment only
Address and Phone
816 Beltline Rd
Springfield, OR 97477
Telephone: 541-746-7671
Toll Free: 800-230-1953
Before or after hours, you are welcome to
call and leave a
message on our machine. | |
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