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NewsletterNovember 2006 |
Hello, everyone! |
 | We have had the most beautiful fall season this year! Cold, crisp nights and warm, sunny days, along with lots of gorgeous color. You can't ask for anything better than that this time of year.
Boy, do we have a Newsletter for you, this month! Lots to share with you, so I hope you're able to enjoy a good cup of Java or your favorite tea and are prepared to sit back and relax as you read all the interesting things we have to share with you in this edition. |  | |
Keeping you up-to-date
Jim flew to Minnesota late last month to attend training on the updated Unitron products. It's exciting to see technology progress in ways that help people to hear better. Along with the new Element products, Unitron has listened to our requests and added a Moda style product with a variety of circuits that uses a 13A battery.
Unitron's Element hearing instruments
Now, to introduce you to Unitron's new Element hearing instruments:
- The E16 has some exciting new features in the hearing aid industry:
AutoPro2—analyzes your listening environment and automatically adapts to it;
Two noise managers that help eliminate background noise and wind noise;
Speech enhancement LD-identifies and highlights soft speech;
Sophisticated feedback canceller—prevents discomfort of hearing aid whistling;
antiShock technology—removes discomfort of sudden sounds, like door-slamming;
Easy-t-automatically switches to a program for optimized phone use when you pick up the phone.
- The E8 has most of the features of the E18. However, instead of the AutoPro2, the E8 has autoMic, which automatically adjusts to amplify speech so that there's less need to change programs.
- The E4 has all but two of the features offered by the E18. It lacks the AutoPro2 and speech enhancement LD. But, it's a great hearing instrument for those who don't find themselves in a variety of environments where they would use the extra features.
All three of these new products, as well as the Unitron premium digital Indigo product, also come in the Moda open-air style. And, as we said earlier, Unitron has added a digital BTE without a VC that uses a 13A battery. This BTE is slightly larger than the Moda, but smaller than a BTE that has a VC—great for folks who don't want to have to use a 10A battery.
Unitron products price reduction
We're very excited about the Unitron products. They provide excellent quality with very versatile features that address the needs of folks who need to hear in a variety of environments—and at reasonable prices! One of the best announcements regarding the Unitron products: they've come down in price! So, we've adjusted all our Unitron prices to reflect this change. We believe in passing along our savings to the consumer.
Another exciting new product: the Pulse from GNResound.
We are thrilled to be the first in our area to make this rechargeable digital hearing instrument available. Yes, you read correctly—RECHARGEABLE! The Pulse hearing instrument is the GNResound Air BTE, which is a proven excellent digital hearing instrument. It comes with a nifty little charger into which the hearing aids are plugged. They charge overnight ... takes about 5 hours. The aids stay charged for up to 24 hours at a time. The charger comes with a storage compartment for extra batteries, too. The batteries are special rechargeable ones, of course, that look just like the regular kind. An added benefit is that regular batteries can also be used in the instrument. So versatile!
Next month, we'll be having a special 3-day event featuring the GNResound products and their representative, Dr. Lisa McKay. We will provide hearing tests and opportunities to try the new open-air products. It's so great to be able to test people and have them walk out the door hearing better!
Our Readers Write:
Cheryl from TX:
"Thanks for your great newsletter which I found online. My husband has been wearing open canal hearing aids for just over a year. Our marriage and friendship has returned to its former status! If his hearing loss was uncorrectable, I was committed to adjusting, but felt like he needed to contribute to the effort, first by recognizing the problem. It was sad, he was fading away socially due to the hearing loss. I am sure that it must have affected him somewhat at work, although he works primarily with similarly aged men who all seem to talk very loudly! My next project, to get him to get a less expensive pair of in the ear aids to wear on those occasions when exercise or climate conditions make it inadviseable to wear his \'good set\'. We have been told that they are extremely moisture sensitive and could be easily destroyed if exposed to dampness. Please address this problem and the possible solution of dual hearing aids in one of your future newsletter issues. Thank you."
Cheryl further wrote:
"Regarding the use and wear of hearing aids, I don't understand why folks don't view them like glasses or contacts. Also, you may add that when we 'introduced' the hearing aids, usually with me quietly mentioning them to friends so that they would be sure to speak 'to' my husband and not be turned away when speaking to him, and also to let them know that he hadn't been inattentive over the last several visits, that the overall reaction was surprise since no one notices his BTE model. Thanks again for your help and information."
It's always great to hear success stories! Cheryl brought up a very good point. It's good to have a "spare" pair of hearing aids to use in situations where you wouldn't want to compromise your "good set;" also, a second pair is very useful to have when your good set is in for repair or reconditioning. We make it a practice at Advanced Hearing Plus to not take "trade-ins" when people purchase hearing aids from us. The products we offer are always discounted, and returning customers get a further discount. We rather that they keep their old hearing aids for use as back-ups for situations like those mentioned above.
Dealing with humidity and moisture
If humidity and moisture are a battle for you, one option to consider is a Siemens BTE that has a moisture-proof nano-technological coating. Hopefully, other manufacturers will follow suit. Another effective way to deal with moisture—the enemy of all hearing aids—is a unit used for drying out hearing aids. One places the hearing aids in this unit every night in order to dry them out. This is very effective, actually, and is worth having if you live in a humid climate or tend to perspire a lot. There are various units on the market, but one we recently have heard about is the AudioDry™ Hearing Instrument Dryer by Thermal Science. This unit is small, making it easy to store and transport; it's safe, durable, and easy to use. You don't need to use any desiccant beads or bricks. Better yet, it's very affordable. You may contact us to purchase them. The cost is $35.95 each plus shipping and handling.
Importance of regular cleaning
The thing to remember about in-the-ear instruments when exercising or living in a humid environment is that moisture, oils, and wax get into the aid directly (usually affecting the receiver component), and they need to be cleaned more often. The natural humidity of the ear canal, along with each person's body chemistry, affects the overall condition of the shell and internal components. Some people have more of a problem with this than others.
A good solution to prevent wax from plugging the receiver is a flip-top waxguard that your dispenser can have put on for you. There usually is an additional cost for this feature; but it's well worth it in order to keep your hearing aid from repeatedly dying and living at the repair lab! Regular professional cleaning is a must. We recommend that people come in to have their hearing aids cleaned and checked every four months.
Importance of clear communication
Cheryl's comment regarding having people speak "to" her husband is a good rule to remember. Hearing aids help people to hear better, but they do not restore one's hearing completely. Hearing impaired people rely on various "clues" in order to communicate. So, looking at someone when speaking to them, slowing down your speech, and enunciating your words is helpful. It isn't necessary to shout, but speaking clearly is still important when speaking with someone who wears a hearing device.
With so many different technological devices people have sticking out of their ears today—from iPod earbuds to Bluetooth cellphone earpieces—the stigma of wearing hearing instruments is fading. And, no longer do people need to fear wearing the big, brown BTE style. Hearing instruments come in so many styles, shapes—and colors! We actually are hearing this more often: "I don't care what they look like. I just want to hear better."
Tinnitus: Various Masking Methods of Treatment
As promised, we will explore some masking methods used to alleviate tinnitus in this month's Newsletter.
Dr. Jack A. Vernon, Professor Emeritus, Oregon Health & Science University writes a Question and Answer column in Tinnitus Today. He has been called "the father" of modern tinnitus masking. He feels strongly that tinnitus suffers should not feel that masking needs to completely cover the tinnitus, but they should instead think of masking as a "relief" from the disorder. Dr. Vernon views masking as "immediate achievement of some degree of relief from tinnitus through the use of external sound."
The value of external sounds
This external sound may come from a variety of sources—tabletop devices that make sound, sounds in the environment, hearing aids, tinnitus maskers one wears, tinnitus instruments (combination hearing aid/masker). Today, there are also "tinnitus distractors" which generate soothing sounds that distract from the tinnitus and make it more manageable.
The value of high-frequency masking
Ultra high-frequency masking is a type of masking which produces sounds above which the human ear can hear. These sounds are delivered to the inner ear via bone conduction (through the bones of the head, not through the ear canal). Believe it or not, even though most of the sounds we hear travel through our ear canals, a lot of the sounds we hear penetrate our skull.
One device that uses high frequency masking is the HiSonic TRD. It has a sound range of 19,250-27,00 Hz! One needs to experiment with it to find the right spots to place the headset that will work best to mask the tinnitus.The device is unobtrusive.The battery unit is the size of a pager. There is a wire that goes from that unit to the headset.
A tabletop sound generator
Another kind of masker is a tabletop sound generator. One such product is the MicroTek model 321Q. The frequency range is 500-16,000 Hz. It has a volume control and sleep timer that can be set for 1/2, 1, 2, 4, or 8 hours.
Tinnitus sufferers need to remain open-minded when it comes to finding relief. It's erroneous to have the philosophy that any treatment that falls short of complete relief is not worth trying. Sometimes, one may need to use several methods. Any legitimate tinnitus treatment is there to provide relief from the torment and aggravation of tinnitus. Experiment to see what methods work best for you. |
We welcome comments and suggestions
If you would like to comment or offer suggestions for topics to be covered in our Newsletter, please feel free to contact me. I'd love to hear from you! Also, if our Newsletter has been helpful to you, please forward your friends and loved ones to our web site address: www.advancedhearingplus.com .
Beth Bell |
Quote of the Month
In honor of this election year:
"In politics, a man must learn to rise above principle."
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Reminders |
| If you last had your hearing instruments cleaned in June, 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
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Saturday by appointment only
Address and Phone
816 Beltline Rd
Springfield, OR 97477
Telephone: 541-746-7671
Toll Free: 800-230-1953
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