From The Blog
The auditory brainstem response test, also known as an ABR, assesses the hearing pathway all the way up to the brainstem. The patient may need to undergo this test if they have a hearing loss only in one ear, or if they have significantly more hearing loss in one ear than the other. This test helps to identify where exactly the hearing loss is coming from - either from the inner ear organ, known as the cochlea, or another place along the auditory pathway. The ABR is a very simple test that begins with the audiologist placing sticky electrodes to different parts of the patient's head/face. The patient will then listen to a loud clicking noise through earphones, while resting in a reclined chair. There is no need to respond to the sound - some people even take a nap! Brainwave activity is recorded on the computer and is then analyzed by the audiologist. Typically the test takes only about 10 minutes after the electrodes are placed! After testing is completed, the audiologist will interpret the test results to determine if the ABR test is normal or if further evaluation is needed, such as an MRI. The test results are usually discussed with the patient immediately after testing is completed. The test results are then sent to the referring physician where further testing referrals are made if necessary. frontoffice@audiologyoftulsa.com P: 918-745-9052
Did you know that you have a natural bug repellent in your body? It's true! It's in your ears, and is called cerumen (or earwax). The smell of earwax keeps bugs away, as well as acting as an antifungal and antibacterial coating for the ear. It also prevents itchy ears, as it acts as a moisturizer for the ear canal. Some people try to remove ear wax themselves, which is dangerous. The ears are self-cleaning; earwax slowly migrates out of the ear until it reaches the outer part of the ear canal, where it can be easily cleaned with a damp washcloth. In some people, earwax builds up and needs to be removed. This should only be done by a healthcare professional. This would be either an audiologist, primary care physician, or ENT (ear, nose and throat) physician. Q-TIPS AND EAR CANDLES ARE VERY DANGEROUS. Many people attempt to clean their ears with Q-tips or ear candles and damage their ears (and consequently, their hearing) by accident. If you have a concern about earwax buildup, consult a healthcare professional and allow them to remove it for you. We wanted to put a bug in your ear (not literally). Earwax is your friend! It keeps bugs away, it isn't safe to remove it on your own, and there are healthcare professionals who are able to help. If you think you have too much wax buildup, call us to schedule an appointment for cerumen removal. frontoffice@audiologyoftulsa.com P: 918-745-9052
Whether you're an experienced or new hearing aid user, you know that batteries are integral to hearing aid use. Here are some facts about batteries you may not have heard before! 1. Hearing aid batteries can be found in stores like Walgreen's or CVS, but you can likely purchase them from your audiologist. 2. Hearing aid batteries are zinc air batteries and are activated by oxygen. When you hear your low battery signal from your hearing aid, take the sticker tab off a new battery and let it sit for 2 - 5 minutes. This will allow the battery to fully activate, getting you the most out of your battery life. 3. One easy way to gauge your battery life is not only to use a tester, but there is a more fun way you can check them - simply drop them 6 inches to a foot above a counter top or hard surface. If they bounce, they are nearing the end of their life. If they do not bounce, they are fresh. 4. There are several different sizes of hearing aid batteries, just like there are different sizes of traditional batteries. The sizes are: 10, 312, 13, and 675. Depending on your hearing aid, it will take one of these four. 5. Battery sizes are universally color coded. Size 10 is yellow, 312 is brown, 13 is orange, and 675 is blue. 6. Batteries are very tiny! They can be mistaken as toys to toddlers or pets. Call poison control immediately if a battery is ingested. Our batteries come in packages of eight batteries ($8.00 plus tax), or a carton of forty-eight batteries ($40.00 plus tax). Call us at 918-745-9052 and we can ship batteries in the Tulsa area for a small postal fee. frontoffice@audiologyoftulsa.com P: 918-745-9052
For many individuals living with hearing loss, speaking and listening on the phone can be frustrating. Caption Call is a revolutionary tool that uses voice recognition technology to display what callers are saying onto a large screen. It is the number one recommended captioned telephone service by audiologists. CaptionCall is free, and all you need to qualify is an audiologist-verified hearing loss, an internet connection, and a landline phone. Contact your audiologist for an application, and they will contact you to schedule a day and time for the installation. The installation is considered a "red carpet treatment." Representatives will make sure you have a clear understanding of how it works, and provide ongoing customer support. See the video below for more information on how this service is free. You would use the phone just as you would any other telephone. The only difference is the individual with hearing loss will be able to read what the caller is saying on a large and easy to read screen. Captioning agents are responsible for accurately transcribing the caller's voice for the display. This is also available through a mobile app for the iPad, which works just like it would on a landline telephone. All you need for the mobile version is a CaptionCall account, an Apple® iPad® 2 or later, and a Wi-Fi or cellular Internet connection. CaptionCall has been recognized as a major improvement to the lives of those that normally struggle to hear on the phone. The phone is very easy to get if you have a hearing loss. If you think this is right for you, contact your audiologist today.
TSHA, or Total Source Hearing-Loss and Access, is a great resource for those with hearing loss in the Tulsa area. Whether you need an interpreter, want to take sign language classes, or want to be involved in the community, this is the place to start! It is easy to request an interpreter through TSHA. Just fill out the form on their website and click submit. They will help you find the right interpreter for your needs. TSHA also offers sign language classes. There is a variety of classes to take: Tulsa Sign 1, Tulsa Sign 2, Religious Signs, and Happy Hands 1. If you live in the Jenks area, they have classes available on the high school campus. The sign book is only $20.00, and classes range from $60.00 to $100.00. Enroll for their classes here! There are many ways to volunteer and get involved with TSHA. Tulsa Hearing Helpers is a support group for those experiencing new hearing loss. They invite motivational speakers to speak at the meetings, and captioning is available. The meetings are open to all ages. For teens, they have Deaf Teen Club, where all of their events are free and educational. Cooking, go karts, and learning to drive are just some of the activities. For any teenager feeling isolated from their hearing peers, Deaf Teen Club is a great way for them to meet others just like them. If you shop at Amazon Smile, they will make a donation to TSHA! Go to smile.amazon.com, and they will donate 0.5% of your purchase. Just be sure to mention TSHA at checkout. This is just a handful of what TSHA can offer. Have you thought about learning sign language? Or meeting new people that are experience hearing loss as well? Call or email their office and see how you can get involved today! Total Source Hearing-Loss and Access 8740 E. 11th St. Tulsa, Oklahoma 74112 P: 918.832.8742 v/tty Toll-Free: 888.311.3523 v/tty F: 918.834.4329 24/7 Interpreter Service Emergencies: 888.311.3523 (voice only) Please call Audiology of Tulsa or TSHA with any questions or comments. P: 918-745-9052 frontoffice@audiologyoftulsa.com
Hearing aids are a large investment in your lifestyle, and we know this is a huge decision. The question of pricing is best answered by your audiologist, whom you will be working with closely regarding your hearing healthcare. Below, we will cover anything that will impact pricing. We begin with diagnostic hearing testing. This test may include oto-acoustic emissions, tympanograms, pure-tone air and bone conduction, and speech recognition. If you have health insurance, we will file the diagnostic codes with your insurance. Any copays listed for a specialist will be due on the day of testing. If you already have an audiogram completed within the past 6 moths by a licensed audiologist, there is no need to repeat the test unless you feel a change has occurred in your hearing. The audiologist will go over the results of the audiogram with you, and make a recommendation for hearing aids. This recommendation is based on your hearing loss and your lifestyle. Once the aids and colors have been determined, we will schedule a day for you to come back in and have the aids fitted. In addition, we will schedule two follow up appointments within your 30-day period. The final day of your hearing aid trial, the total cost of the hearing aids will be due. On the day of fitting, we will do the initial fit, which is an exciting day. The hearing aids are programmed based on your hearing loss and you will be counseled on how to use and care for the aids. Once the one hour appointment is finished, we will collect a non-refundable $250 fitting fee. This 30- day trial period is the perfect time for you to evaluate the benefit of the hearing aids. It is important to note that hearing aids take some time for your brain to adjust. The purpose of these follow up visits post-fitting is to fine tune the aids so that you are hearing comfortably and clearly, and answer any questions you may have. Should you feel the hearing aids are not beneficial, we will either try different kinds of aids, or you may return the aids within the trial period. You can anticipate a new model of hearing aids to cost roughly $1200 to $3200 per device. It is important to remember that follow up care is included in a two year warranty period. This means your hearing aid cleanings, visits with the audiologist, and any repairs completed in our on-site lab are included under your warranty. Please note: there several places that will send you off with a pair of hearing aids you may have spent a large amount of money for, and will charge you adjustments and maintenance fees. We are happy to be included in your better hearing journey. Please call our office during office hours at 918-745-9052 for more information.
You're on the bus with headphones in listening to your favorite music. Then, the bus goes over a speed bump, and out comes your earbud. Inconvenient, isn't it? Did you wish you had a better way to secure the headphones in your ear? Audiologists and audiologist technicians can make an impression of your ear, in which a custom mold can be made for your headphones. These are manufactured by several companies, but Audiology of Tulsa recommends two companies: 64 Ears and Westone.
If you are experiencing dizziness, you are not alone. Did you know that dizziness affects as many as 35% of adults 40 years of age or older in the United States? This means that approximately 69 million Americans have experienced some form of vestibular dysfunction. In many cases, dizziness stems from dysfunction of the vestibular portion of the balance system, which is located in the inner ear. Patients who experience vertigo (a sensation of spinning) or other forms of dizziness are often referred to our office for vestibular testing (known as videonystagmography, or VNG, testing) to help determine the source of their dizziness. It can be very unsettling to experience dizziness, as it often makes people feel out of control. We have put together an outline to describe the testing process, what you will need to do to prepare, and to calm any fears about the testing. ABOUT THE TEST: Since the inner ear is comprised of a hearing and vestibular portion, disease processes that affect one often affect the performance of the other. This is why an updated audiogram is necessary before we can proceed with a VNG. An updated audiogram is a hearing test performed by a licensed audiologist within the past year. During the VNG test, the patient will wear goggles that closely monitor and record eye movements. The patient will then be asked to visually follow moving targets on a screen, and then to move his/her head and body into various positions. During the last part of the test, the audiologist will use a small tool to introduce cool and warm air into each ear. This part of the test stimulates the vestibular portion of the inner ear. For some people, this may cause some dizziness; however, rest assured that if this does occur, the sensation of dizziness is usually very brief. WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO DO TO PREPARE: Between 48 and 24 hours before the test: NO alcoholic beverages NO anithistimines NO anti-dizzy pills (such as Antivert, Meclizine, Bonine) NO muscle relaxers NO new narcotic pain medications NO food or drink up to four hours prior to the testing. Please dress comfortably, and do not wear any eye makeup to the appointment. Eye makeup interferes with the ability of the goggles to monitor eye movement, and may invalidate parts of the test. IF you have any blood sugar issues, please eat something, but keep it light. Dizziness VNG testing is non-invasive. There are no injections and no drugs to take. The test will take roughly an hour. Do not hesitate to call Audiology of Tulsa with any questions or concerns about the VNG. frontoffice@audiologyoftulsa.com P: 918-745-9052 REFERENCES: 1. Agrawal Y, Carey JP, Della Santina CC, Schubert MC, Minor LB. Disorders of balance and vestibular function in US adults. Arch Intern Med. 2009;169(10): 938-944.
Download the above attachment for a complete guide on pairing your Unitron hearing aids. Below is a link to some how-to guides for pairing your hearing aids to either your Android or iPhone. Should you have more questions, feel free to call our office at 918-745-9052.
What is auditory brainstem response?
6 years ago 6 years agoWhat you may not know about hearing aid batteries
6 years agoCaptionCall - the most recommended captioning service by audiologists
6 years agoTSHA - Get involved with Tulsa community of hard of hearing
6 years ago 6 years agoCustom ear impressions and what they can be used for
6 years agoScheduled for dizziness (VNG) testing? Here's what you need to know.
6 years agoPairing your Resound hearing aids to your Apple or Android device
4 years agoPairing your Unitron hearing aids to your Android or Apple device
4 years ago