Blog

Flu Season Upon Us

With flu season upon us, I had my flu shot as soon as they were
available this year. I have already had patients cancel due to
the flu and have seen several patients that either admitted to
having flu-like symptoms or knew someone who was down with
the flu.

Washing your hads often is one of the best ways to prevent
transmission of the flu virus. I keep a bottle of hand-cleaner
on each desk (next to a tissue box) and use it whenever I
sneeze. My patients can see me taking this precaution and
leave with the idea that our practice is sensitive to flu
virus transmission as well as having the peace of mind that our
instruments are germ free. Witnessing this process is
testimony that they are received and treated with professional
care.

Submitted by,
Bill Schenk, BC-HIS

========================================
Dizziness Itself Is Not A Disease

Dizziness itself is not a disease: it is a symptom that can result
from a vestibular disorder or from difficulties unrealted
to the inner ear, such as cardiovascular, neurological, metabolic,
vision or psychological disorders. It is amazing to me that so
many people suffer with these types of problems nowadays. In
a clinic that spcializes in diagnosing diseases of the ear, nose
and throat, we find that many of the patients have dizziness
problems are central or organic; rather many are brought
on by medication, stress or other mental factors. These can
be much harder to diagnose and treat. Something to think
about next time someone comes into your office describing
a dizziness realted problem.

Submitted by:
Frank Fischer, BC-HIS, ACA,MHAP

==============================================

Why Would an Audiologist Want to be Board Cerified?

I have been board certified for many years. On occasion colleagues
have asked me why I would bother. I bother because it is one
more thing that sets me apart from competition. To me board
certification is a symbol of the passion I have for helping
people hear better. That passion is not exclusive to either
audiologists or hearing aid specialists. The field of audiology
is a broad one. Board certification is the way to show that my
professional focus is on hearing aids and how they improve
people's lives.

So if you are an audiologist looking for another way to separate
yourself from the pack and you have a passion for helping
people hear better I encourage you to get your BC-HIS. It's
affordable, attainable and accessible.

Submitted by,
Laura Dennison, Au.D., BC-HIS

==============================================

I always like to keep my NBC-HIS patient handout brochures easily
visible and accessible for my patients. I like to also make sure that
every new patient that comes in receives one. These little things have
been a tremendous help to not only myself, but for my patients to know
they are working with a credential professional. Over the years I have
experienced hearing from new clients different things "competition"
has said about me to try and play down the education and
professionalism of the dispenser, so I have been proud to display
my certifications and education. Taking the opportunity to educate
our patients on our credentials is an important step that a lot of
hearing professionals miss.

Joli Robinson, BC-HIS

==============================================

Jim Ogurek, BC-HIS

REALITY vs REALITY TV

NBC-HIS The day begins with our families - and some days it
feels I am living in a made for TV comedy. Then there is my
professional family of colleagues, patient care coordinators
and support staff. Like any family, we are an interesting mix of
personalities, attitudes and issues. Each one of us brings
an interesting twist to the office every morning but when we
open doors - we must change the channel.

There are the days when my life as a hearing aid dispenser
is more like a reality TV show. There are dramas, moments
of joy or tears, cancellations, troubles with the factory and
even with staff. Yes, there are some real interesting characters
but it all comes down to a single main character... (Not me...
but the PATIENT!) Who is looking to hear better and reconnect
to what they think is important.

It's about how they will communicate with their family, friends
and neighbors. I would like to think I'm the star of this show,
showing up on a white horse with an awesome hearing
instrument.....but in reality, I'm a bit player...helping my
patients live a better life.

I still want to shine in my supporting role and to me that means
knowing all about the circuits, features, functions, technologies and
warranties that I am going to use to make the real star of the show
hear their best. What we do every day is so very important
but not that glamorous.

But yet, at least in this blog...I would like to admit we still have
a little "superstar" status. Yep, that's right, we are the supporting
superstars that our patients trust with their hearing. WE ARE THE
EXPERTS...THE SUPERSTARS! Our own lives may be a comedy rerun,
our offices may have a tinge of reality TV drama, but we do
something extremely important!

We may be the concerned and supporting characters in our patient's
lives, but I believe that to be a TRUE SUPERSTAR in our profession
we must become National Board Certified in Hearing Instrument Sciences
(BC-HIS). That's one thing that we can do to make our professional
credentils stand out.

So go make it a great day and remember that our patients deserve
to be cared for by the SUPERSTAR!

==============================================

BALANCE AWARENESS WEEK September 16th - 22nd, 2012

10 Things You Didn't Know About the Balance (Vestibular) System

The word "vestibular" refers to the inner-ear balance system. To
achieve good physical balance we rely on our brain, eyes,
inner-ear, and muscular-skeletal system to work in harmony.
Healthy people usually take balance for granted until it is
impaired.
Over 35% of US adults age 40 years and older
(69 million Americans) have had vistibular dysfunction
at some point in their lives.
Balance problems can occur from inner-ear disease, a virus, a
traumatic brain injury, poisoning by certain antibiotics
(ototoxicity), autoimmune causes, migraines, and aging.
People with vestibular disorders can have any or all of
the following symptoms: vertigo (spinning sensation),
dizziness, fatigue, jumping vision, unsteadiness, "brain fog",
nausea/vomiting, hearing loss, and ringing in the ears (tinnitus).
People with vestibular disorders can suffer cognitive impacts,
such as poor concentration,memory, and word recall, difficulty
reading while tracking printed text, and impaired mental stamina.
Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT) has consistency
been shown to be an important part of the management
of vesibular patients. Research by UTMB (2000) shows that
most studies state that patients who use VRT improve by 70-80%.
Some low-impact exercise routines can help improve balance,
such as Tai Chi or use of the Wii video game concole in
conjunction with the Wii Balance Board.
Balance disorders are an invisible chronic illness - invisible
because they can't be seen by the casual observer and chronic
because they may or may not get better. They are difficult
to diagnose and treat, because others can't "see" the
outward signs. They may assume the patient is overreacting
or faking their symptoms.
Some of the early research on the vestibular system came
from NASA's study on returning astronauts in the space program.
A support group can provide helpful informaiton and support.
To find a vestibular disorders support group in your area
visit VEDA's website
http://vestibular.org/finding_help-support/support-directory.

==============================================

William Schenk, BC-HIS

I visited the NBC exhibit at a recent convention and purchased a button down shirt with the NBC-HIS logo on it. I wear an NBC-HIS pin on my lab jacket, but sometimes we have "casual dress" day at work and I loosen my tie and don my NBC shirt. I notice my patients glancing at the logo and connecting me as a Certificant. It's just another way to show my dedication to my profession.

==============================================

Deb's Blog

I have tinnitus... sometimes pronounced "tin-eh-tuhs" and sometimes pronounced "tin-eye-tuhs." I hear high-pitched "bells" in my head!!! I am constantly trying to figure out the song these "birds" are singing, but can never figure it out. There are times when the chatter in a crowd mingles with the " birds" and I have a hard time following the conversation...especially when I ams in dire need to eavesdrop!

I have foud that coffee, aspirin, and chocolate (yes,that heavenly creation that brings me comfort and joy) causes the bells to turn into a symphony. The volume and intensity are turned up so that I cannot hear sweet nothings whispered in my ear. I just smile and give my husband a big kiss and whisper something endearing back in his ear. Uh-oh. That was his deaf ear.

Growing older is the pits, but at least I have birds singing to me every day!