There’s a common misconception that prescription hearing aids are expensive. This leads people to consider cheap hearing aids to solve their hearing problems. The question is, are cheap hearing aids worth buying?
Are hearing aids that are less expensive any good? A large number of customers are enticed to test out hearing aids due to the low cost of these devices, which can be found on the internet. Many reputable hearing aid manufacturers offer models at reasonable prices without sacrificing the quality of the products themselves. This is done in order to attract a larger customer base.
What do you need from a hearing aid?
Before purchasing a hearing aid, you need to give some thought to the functions that you value the most in such a device and take those into consideration. need a more sophisticated device that comes with a variety of features such as automatic noise filters, directional microphones, etc.?
If you have a clear idea of what features you need from a hearing aid, the process of weighing the various options that are available to you will be much less confusing.
There is no guarantee that cheap hearing aids will fix the problems with your hearing, so don’t waste your money on them. Consider it in this light: in order to address a patient’s unique hearing loss, a hearing aid needs to be programmed and fitted by an audiologist. An audiologist is a specialist who diagnoses and treats hearing loss. Buying a cheap pair of hearing aids without getting a hearing test or without seeing an audiologist is expected to yield unsatisfactory results.
Most of the cheap hearing aids available online are merely amplifiers disguised as hearing aids. Yes, they provide amplification but addressing hearing loss is not all about simple amplification. For a hearing aid to work properly, proper programming, fitting, and adjustments are needed and should be performed by an audiologist or hearing care professional.
Getting what you paid for
If you get cheap hearing aids online, you should anticipate receiving far less than what you spent. This is due to the fact that cheap hearing aids are often made in bulk batches without following quality standards. As a result, cheap hearing aids are greatly de-featured and offer zero to little hearing improvement.
Why you should invest in a good pair of hearing aids
Hearing aids that are accessible only with a prescription from an audiologist offer a wider number of advantages and features than less expensive hearing aids. Hearing aids come with a better level of after-sale service, warranty, and support.
If you want to experience the most significant enhancement in your hearing and get the most out of your money, you should opt for a hearing aid that was created by a recognized manufacturer. If you look at the long-term benefits, investing in hearing aids from a reputable brand is better than buying cheap hearing aids that could make your hearing worse.
Audiologists at RK Audiology are ready to assist you in selecting a hearing aid that is tailored specifically to meet your needs, budget, and lifestyle.
Bottomline
In conclusion, it’s best to consider the features and functionality of a hearing aid aside from its price. Don’t be tempted to purchase a hearing aid just because of its insanely low price and aggressive marketing ploys.
Most cheap hearing aids lack the essential functions that prescription hearing aids offer. Hearing aids that can be acquired online for a low price generally lack proper fitting and evaluation, both of which play a significant part in the success of hearing aids.
At RK Audiology, we will make sure that your hearing aid is correctly suited to your ear, snugly fit, and all set to meet your unique hearing needs. We offer numerous models of hearing aids in store, sourced from the most reputable manufacturers in the business so that we can offer you access to a greater selection of hearing aid solutions to meet your needs.
Curious about the latest hearing aid technology? Ask an audiologist for insights.
Hearing aids play an important role in helping a person with hearing loss function better in every aspect of life. As a popular choice of hearing solution, hearing aids can be considered an investment. The price range of hearing aids varies depending on the brand, material, technology, power, etc., but one thing is for sure – you need to make an effort to ensure that your hearing aids will last.
In this blog post, we’ll share with you various factors that affect the lifespan of your hearing aids as well as tips on how you can take good care of these compact, highly-intelligent, delicate devices.
Proper Cleaning and Maintenance
Since hearing aids get in contact with skin and the inner parts of the ear, it is susceptible to moisture, sweat, dirt, etc.
Proper cleaning and maintenance of hearing aids will significantly help extend their life span. Clean your hearing aids before going to bed by wiping off any visible dirt with a soft, dry cloth.
Air-dry hearing aids after cleaning. The #1 enemy of hearing aids is moisture. It’s a big help to let hearing aids air dry for several hours (preferably throughout the night) and have the battery compartment open (if applicable).
If you see dirt or moisture build-up on parts of your hearing aid that you cannot seem to reach, bring your hearing aids to your hearing care provider for professional cleaning and maintenance.
Proper Handling and Usage
Hearing aids are subjected to wear and tear every day. Practicing proper handling and storage when the hearing aids are not in use can help determine how long your hearing aids will last.
When not in use, keep your hearing aids in a safe and dry place. Most hearing aids come with their own protective case (some may double as a charging case). Protective cases of hearing aids are designed to protect them from sudden impact or moisture. Some hearing aid cases also come with a built-in dehumidifier to ensure that any residual moisture will be gone.
Avoid putting hearing aids inside a pocket, pouch, or bag that may put these tiny gadgets in jeopardy of getting squished or broken.
Avoid dropping hearing aids at all costs. If possible, put on your hearing aids while sitting down so that in case you drop them, the distance from the floor will not put so much impact on the device.
Regularly change batteries
This is applicable to hearing aids that are powered by disposable batteries. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions when it comes to how long one set of batteries can be used.
Avoid using old batteries on your device to prevent sub-par performance. Make sure to put in the right battery size with the right voltage to avoid any detrimental effects.
Professional hearing aid repair and service
If you notice that your hearing aid is not working as it should, bringing it in for a professional checkup might be in order. Audiologists are trained and knowledgeable in checking hearing aids to accurately diagnose what could possibly be wrong with the hearing aid.
If you cannot seem to address the issue through basic troubleshooting, don’t attempt to fix it on your own. You must absolutely not tinker with the device, to the point of opening its screws, crevices, etc.
You might put your hearing device’s warranty at risk if you tinker with the hearing aid, so it’s best that you bring it to your hearing care provider for proper care, repair, and/or maintenance
Hearing Aid Maintenance and Repair | Austin, TX
RK audiology offers professional hearing aid maintenance and repair services in Austin, TX.
Contact us today to know more about our audiology services!
Got more questions about hearing aids? Ask an audiologist for expert advice!
Hidden hearing loss gains more attention day by day. However, most people have never heard of it. How does this curious condition work? And how does it change how we think about hearing?
How does hidden hearing loss differ from traditional hearing loss?
When we think of hearing loss, we’re often thinking of a loss of sound. If you’ve ever observed or taken part in a traditional audiogram, you know the test involves playing sounds at various pitches and volumes. The test subject must then indicate which sounds they heard by raising their hand or pushing a button.
The type of hearing loss revealed by this test happens because of damage to hairlike cells in the inner ear, aptly named hair cells or stereocilia. Here is how those cells come into play:
Sound waves enter the ear canal—the outer ear—and vibrate the eardrum.
In the middle ear, the eardrum creates a chain of vibration through three bones—commonly referred to as the hammer, anvil, and stirrup (or malleus, incus, and stapes)—that then passes into the inner ear, to the snail-shaped cochlea.
These vibrations enter the fluid-filled cochlea, where different frequencies determine which part of the cochlea the fluid vibrates.
The vibrations cause waves in the fluid, which move hair cells lining the cochlea, creating signals that travel through the auditory nerve and into the auditory centers of the brain.
If those cells are damaged, you lose hearing at a certain volume or perhaps just certain pitches, e.g, low tones or higher tones.
With hidden hearing loss, however, it is not the hair cells that are damaged, but cells in the brain itself. Imagine that you are trying to figure out a problem with your computer. After some tinkering, you discover that the fan isn’t working properly, or perhaps some wires have come loose. These are hardware issues, and damage to the outer, middle, or inner ear (where the hair cells are) works much the same way. However, your problem may be related to software. If something has damaged a piece of software on your hard drive, you may lose pieces of the data for that software, and that’s what is happening with hidden hearing loss.
An analysis of music shows that different parts of the brain light up for different aspects of music besides just tone and pitch, such as rhythm, memory, and emotion. Likewise, synapses—cells that bring information to different parts of the brain—are vital to the hearing process. If these synapses become damaged, the information often comes through incomplete, garbling the message.
Ultimately, this means a person might have no problem understanding someone during a conversation in a quiet room, but may struggle to hear in a noisy environment, such as a stadium full of a roaring crowd or even a busy restaurant.
Do I have hidden hearing loss? What can I do about it?
Since the term hidden hearing loss has only been around since 2009, and few people visit audiologists, it is very difficult to know how many people this condition affects. To complicate matters, testing for this kind of loss is still in the early stages. The Associated Press (AP) created a test in 2017; however, this is not a scientifically backed medical tool. Rather, this test provides an interesting look into how background noise affects hearing.
The test itself is a simple audio clip. It starts out with no background noise while a male voice comes on at intervals, telling the listener to repeat the sentences he says. “White” background noise is then introduced and increases every couple of phrases.
At first, the background noise sounds much like the inside of a car as it travels down a highway: soft, muted, and hazy; more an impression of noise than anything else. As the background noise increases, these impressions continue, resembling different environments or types of white noise: television static, rain, and others come to mind.
One assumes that with each increase, it will become more and more difficult to understand the phrases. However, response to the clip showed that people often missed phrases at random intervals—for example, missing one closer to the beginning and then having no trouble until later. This implies that hidden hearing loss is not a linear progression, and damage to these synapses affects very specific parts of the brain while not affecting others. This means testing will have to look for different criteria than traditional hearing tests.
It may be a while before we have effective tests for diagnosing this type of hearing loss, but you can still start managing this issue. Researchers are looking into treatments and you can do your own interventions, such as asking your conversation partners to talk slower (rather than louder), being strategic about where you sit in noisy environments, or getting set up with one of the many new technologies that incorporate background noise canceling and other methods.
Worried about your hearing? Ask an audiologist for a professional opinion.
Your audiologist can help you figure out the best interventions to manage your hearing loss and prevent it from getting worse. Schedule an appointment today!
Ear wax removal is an important part of hearing health, and here at RK Audiology, we’re stepping up our game with the new EarigatorTM from Nupurtech. This new piece of technology is easy to use, and a safer, more comfortable way to clean ears. Clients have even referred to it as an “ear spa.” Here’s a quick breakdown of this new technique.
How the EarigatorTM works
The EarigatorTM nozzle flushes body temperature water into the ear, dislodging impacted cerumen (earwax) that can cause hearing difficulties. The catch basin is shaped to fit snugly under the ear, preventing the removed earwax from getting on clients’ clothes, hair, or body. In addition, a smock is worn by the client during the procedure, which takes as little as five minutes.
Why the EarigatorTM is so effective at earwax removal
The EarigatorTM is part otoscope, part irrigator, allowing your audiologist a more accurate view as they are cleaning your ears. This is also helped by the LED light and magnifying glass attached directly to the nozzle.
The nozzle spray itself can be adjusted for both temperature and pressure, allowing the most comfortable experience for you, the client. It is made more comfortable by its simple and thoughtful design: a trigger nozzle to help the audiologist control the pressure more easily, a shield to reduce splashback, and a well-designed catch basin. These small, simple features make this the safest and most effective earwax removal technology available.
It’s so effective, it’s even used in emergency rooms.
Our new earwax removal procedure
At RK Audiology, we are always looking for the safest and most effective ways to serve our clients. The EarigatorTM has allowed us to create a more streamlined procedure that will continue to keep you safe and comfortable. We love feedback from our clients on how we can improve our services, so let us know what you think!
As always, we start with a sterile environment, following the latest CDC guidelines.
We begin by reviewing your ear health history with you – including discussing any history of pain or discomfort, and/or any previous ear surgeries. This is the perfect time to ask questions.
We use video otoscopy to view your ear canals and eardrums. With our large monitor, you will see what we see during your ear cleaning appointment.
The water is pre-prepped to a comfortable temperature.
We have you wear a smock and the water basin is placed in position under the ear to be cleaned.
The audiologist will check water temperature and begin the procedure, cleaning one ear at a time.
Once the procedure is complete, the audiologist will dry your ears and view both ears again using the video otoscope, giving you and the audiologist a ‘before’ and ‘after’ view.
The new year is already going strong, and to help you have more good things this year, we’re excited to tell you about the latest hearing technology we’ve added to our collection: the Oticon More™, the Phonak Paradise, and Phonak Virto Black. These three new hearing technology options are at the top of our 2021 list of hearing technology for better connections.
Oticon More™
The Oticon More™ was released at the beginning of the year and already shows promise. Since there is a strong link between hearing loss left untreated and a heightened risk of dementia, it’s clear that Oticon has used this knowledge to design a better device. This hearing aid carries 30% more sound to the brain, which means your speech understanding can increase as much as 15%. It also means reduced listening effort, making it easier for you to remember what is said. It has even been shown to reduce tinnitus for some wearers.
These hearing aids are well-connected to today’s technology. You can use them to stream directly from your smartphone or your TV (it comes with an adapter, so your TV doesn’t even have to be a specific type). You can also make hands-free calls through your smartphone.
Maintenance on this device is very user-friendly. It has its own app so you can discreetly adjust the controls on your hearing aids. It also has its own charger that gives you a full 24 hours of life, with an additional 6 hours using the 30-min quick charge feature.
Phonak Audéo™ Paradise
Phonak also understands that better speech understanding is key to designing effective hearing technology for better connections with its new Phonak Audéo™ Paradise. This device focuses on delivering crisper and more natural sound with its Speech Enhancer feature, which “boosts soft-level speech” in quiet environments or from a distance. It also uses a personalized approach with its Dynamic Noise Cancellation feature, which allows you to choose the amount of noise to filter when you are in various environments.
Audéo™ is also user-friendly by connecting to prominent technology like smartphones and Bluetooth® (you can even connect two Bluetooth® devices at the same time). In addition, this device has a voice assistant feature you can access with just a tap, allowing you to answer calls, stream music, and more. It also has its app to give you control over your device and connect with other amazing features.
Phonak Virto Marvel Black
In search of a style that looks just like a wireless earbud? We must mention the Virto Black. This fully connected, in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aid combines Marvel hearing technology with the style of a modern hearable. This 2020 “Best of CES” has a customized fit for your individual ears, a clear sound, connects to all your devices, and has a smart app that gives you quick, personalized, fine-tuning options.
At RK, we are always looking ahead to sharing more advancements in technology, and more ways to serve you better. Check our “Technology” page for more information on the latest technology at RK Audiology. Then check out our 3-minute online hearing test and schedule an appointment today!
Neuroscience is looking at sensory substitution to change the lives of people with varying levels of hearing loss. As we move into a new year, we are looking forward to how those with hearing loss might find other ways to receive information.
We’ve discovered how music can have a healing effect on the body, thanks to the interaction between the many parts of the ear and the brain. So, what happens if the part of the brain set aside for hearing was no longer used because someone has hearing loss?
Sensory Substitution and Reorganizing the Brain
We’ve already noted how the brain can reorganize and reassign areas of the brain from functions such as hearing to other functions such as vision or touch. This research is now being used to help those who are deaf or hard of hearing with a technique called sensory substitution. This technique gets around the loss of one sense, such as hearing, “by feeding its information through another channel, such as touch.”
This is not new. Sign language uses the hands to communicate, create shapes and movements – patterns – that provide input through our sense of sight. This communication method can even incorporate the sense of touch by having a person who is both deaf and blind use their hands to follow the patterns of the signer.
Now, neuroscientists have developed a new kind of technology, a vest loaded with multiple sensors along the torso that transmits information through the body to the brain using a set of spatiotemporal patterns that vibrate and ripple along the skin. These patterns can correspond to varying kinds of input, but they have mostly been used so far to communicate words and ideas, much like sign language does. If someone speaks to a deaf person wearing a vest, the sensors would translate the spoken words to patterns, and those patterns would communicate the information to the deaf person.
The best part about this technique is that it is non-invasive. Even better, this technology would be a fraction of the cost of surgical options such as cochlear implants, making it available to people worldwide.
Using Patterns to Communicate
Much like sign language, the vest uses patterns to communicate information. In this case, a set of sensors are placed along the torso on the back part of the vest. These sensors have been calibrated to make a kind of pattern that is spatiotemporal. This means that instead of each sensor vibrating separately, or sets of sensors vibrating simultaneously, the sensors are instead calibrated to vibrate in a movement, like a ripple or a wave that moves across the skin in various directions. They found this to be far more effective in transmitting the information than the static vibrations, either singular or in groups.
These patterns would work much like braille, which is to say that a person would come to subconsciously relate certain patterns with certain words without having to think about it. Early tests with one deaf person have already shown this to be the case, and the creators of the vest, David Eagleman and Scott Novice, are looking forward to more trials.
Plug-and-Play Organs and Our Limited Sensory Perception
To get a better idea of how this technique is viable, it helps to have an understanding of our sense organs. Sense organs shape the way we perceive the world. They receive and transmit input to the brain, where the input is processed into information that we use to learn, make decisions, and experience life. They are how we know and understand our surrounding reality. However, this reality is not as objective as we think it is.
The first thing to understand about sensory perception is that the organs we most connect to the senses – ears, eyes, nose, tongue, and skin – are incredibly limited in the data our brains receive from them. We cannot see the many types of light, electromagnetic, and radio waves that pass through the air. Some animals can see these but not others, such as snakes that can see some infrared light waves or honeybees that are able to see in the ultraviolet range. Our other sense organs are likewise limited; imagine having the nose of a bloodhound and being able to know there’s a cat somewhere a couple of blocks away or where another person has been all day by taking a deep whiff of the bottoms of their shoes.
So, when a person loses the function of one of these organs, it’s much easier to find a substitute for delivering certain kinds of input to the brain than you might think. They are more like plug-and-play devices for computers and video games, which can be replaced with another device as needed. Some of these devices need a software download, teaching the computer how to work with the new device. This is similar to how these plug-and-play sense organs work. If one of them stops functioning, the brain can reassign that area to something else, like heightening one’s vision or learning to work with this vest through touch.
In addition, sensory substitution, these neuroscientists believe, can eventually become sensory addition, adding new perceptions to our sensory experience. This can help with rehabilitative and assistive processes, as well as other forms of neural plasticity research and technology. That’s information worth sharing with everyone.
For more information on how hearing and the brain are related, follow our blog, follow the research, or make an appointment today. You can get started with understanding your own hearing in a socially distanced way by trying out our new 3-minute online hearing test. Here’s to a Happy New Year! Bring on 2021!!
Invisible Hearing Aids Get a Boost from Phonak with the Lyric4
Phonak Lyric™ invisible hearing aids are best known for their invisibility, comfort, and convenience. Now they’re creating a brand new gold standard with the launch of Lyric4.
If you are looking to level up your hearing aids, Phonak recently released the new Lyric4, and it is better than ever. It was already a 100% invisible hearing device, designed to be worn comfortably 24/7 for months at a time, stands up to showering and challenging environments, and is controlled with the SoundLync™ tool. Here are its newest features:
The smaller size has made this device more viable for people with smaller ear canals so that they can enjoy the convenience of having a 24/7 invisible hearing aid.
The LyricTM design uses the ear canal, rather than an outside device, to capture and process sound for a more natural hearing experience. The new Lyric4 has a more effective design for collecting debris and cerumen that interfere with the receiver. This allows it to prevent clogging between maintenance and fittings.
As you can see, Phonak has taken the Lyric™ invisible hearing aid to the next level. Check out their site for more information, or schedule an appointment today!
Bonus Tip: If you feel that your hearing has changed and/or if you are noticing more difficulties hearing in this day of masks and social distancing, prior to scheduling an appointment, check your hearing now at https://rkaudiology.com/online-hearing-test/
If you have a dog, you want them to be as healthy as you are. Special diets, exercise, and regular trips to the vet are all important, but what about their ears? Just like humans, the state of your dog’s ears affects their overall health and can be an indicator of other health issues. Likewise, methods of safe ear cleaning for dogs are often best left to professionals, but you can still do some at-home maintenance with RK Audiology’s help. Whether those ears stand up or droop, these safe cleaning tips will help make sure man’s best friend has healthy ears and hearing.
Different Breeds Need Different Types of Care
Safe ear cleaning for dogs starts with knowing each dog will have different ear care needs. Depending on who you ask, there are between 200 and 350 different breeds worldwide. Each breed comes with its own unique anatomy, as well as health issues that can affect, or be affected by, ear health. Talking to your veterinarian and dog breeder about breed-specific concerns will make you better able to make good decisions for Fido.
Know When It’s Time for a Cleaning
Even with breed-specific concerns, there are still ways to know whether it’s time for at-home treatment or time for a visit to the vet. Certain breeds need more frequent cleanings than others, such as dogs that spend a lot of time in the water. There are, however, some general rules. Dogs with ears that hang down tend to trap moisture and dirt, while dogs with ears that are open or stand up are prone to infections.
You can also tell a lot by spot inspection. Before you can do one, you will need to know what a healthy ear looks like. The best time to learn this is with your vet but, overall, the inside of dogs’ ears should look pink rather than red. Redness is a sign of inflammation and possible infection. They should also leave no odor. If you do notice a slight odor, or if your best friend is shaking their head or scratching their ears a lot, the American Kennel Club suggests it’s time for a cleaning. If the ear looks red and inflamed or smells yeasty, however, head to the vet.
How to Safely Clean Your Dog’s Ears
If it’s time for a home cleaning, remember that safe ear cleaning for dogs is similar to safe ear cleaning for humans. That means this is not the time to break out the cotton swabs. Nor should you go directly for a bottle of alcohol or hydrogen peroxide. Because of the structure of a dog’s ear, these items can irritate the ear canal. Furthermore, they don’t actually remove all the wax, dirt, and other irritants, and you may possibly damage the ear trying.
Instead of using items that can cause or worsen an infection, try cleaning drops specially formulated for dogs. These drops dissolve ear wax, and some have antifungal or antibacterial properties. We recommend Earwax PETTM
Here are simple steps for using this to effectively clean your dog’s ears:
Lay the dog on their side and gently wipe away any debris from around the outer ear with a cotton ball or facial tissue. This can also be done with the dog in a normal standing position.
For large dogs (greater than 35 pounds), slowly place 1 full dropper into the ear canal. For small dogs (less than 35 pounds), slowly place ½ dropper into the ear canal.
Gently massage the base of the ear for several minutes.
Keep the dog still for 5-15 minutes to allow the wax and debris to dissolve.
Allow the dog to shake its head as needed to remove excess fluid. (This is why we recommend doing this outside!)
Dry outer ear canal with a clean cotton ball or clean tissue.
Repeat immediately if the ear canal is not visibly clean.
Treat ears every month or as directed by your veterinarian.
As you and your veterinarian decide what is the best way to treat your dog, please make sure to always be gentle. Dog ears are easily damaged when proper care is not taken. If you have questions on safe ear cleaning for dogs, contact your vet or the American Kennel Club. You can also contact RK Audiology for more resources and to schedule your next appointment. You are, after all, your dog’s best friend.
RK’s Top 5 Remote Hearing Care Hacks For These Changing Times
As we continue to weather these changing times, RK Audiology wants to make sure that you have the best access to care in our office and your home. These top remote hearing care hacks can help you stay on top of your hearing health as you navigate our current landscape.
1. Elephant Ear Washer System
Safer ear cleaning at home has never been more straightforward with the first item on our top remote hearing care list: the Elephant Ear Washer System. This all-in-one system provides a safe alternative to cotton swabs with a nozzle that squirts water into the ear canal, which can then be drained over a sink, in the shower, or into an ear basin. Remember, for truly safe earwax removal, you should always consult your audiologist, who can teach you how to use your own Elephant Ear Washer System safely. You can find this practical device in the RK Shop: https://shop.rkaudiology.com/s/shop
2. Home-care Otoscopes
An otoscope is a tool used to view the outer ear, ear canal, and eardrum. Having one of these handy in your home can serve as an early screening process that saves you time and money. By providing clear views of your ears, which can then be sent to our office, an otoscope helps us know when you need to come in for an in-person appointment. As always, review with your audiologist how to use any instrument that goes near your ears safely. We recommend the Bebird Otoscope: https://www.bebirdmall.com/
3. Online Hearing Tests
Our virtual hearing test is one of our newest RK website features, and it’s quickly becoming a favorite telehealth option. By going to https://rkaudiology.com/hearing-test-online/, you can test your hearing remotely. You can keep track of your hearing by checking it at regular intervals (we recommend every 3 to 6 months, or sooner if you notice a change in hearing). Contact us with questions or schedule a time to come in and see us for a comprehensive audiological evaluation or your annual hearing test: https://rkaudiology.com
4. Rechargeable hearing aids
Rechargeablehearing aids have improved so much in recent years that they will likely soon replace the disposable battery-powered hearing aids altogether. That’s excellent news for hearing aid wearers, as this eliminates the need to change batteries multiple times per day, cutting down on time, bother, and overall cost. If you are used to one-charge-per-day as you do with a mobile device, the new lithium-ion batteries last all day, making an overnight charge easy and convenient. Ask your audiologist if rechargeable batteries are available for your current hearing instruments and/or if it is time for an upgrade to new hearing technology.
5. Remote Care For Your Hearing Tech
You may be wondering if all these remote hearing care hacks are going to require time-consuming and costly upkeep. Fortunately, RK Audiology has you covered. We have curbside dropoff and pickup, as well as a 24/7 dropbox available. We will service, repair, and clean your hearing tech for you! Take a look at our services here: https://rkaudiology.com/our-services/
For our DIY-ers, you can take care of your hearing aids easily. Watch this tutorial for more information: https://rkaudiology.com/hearing-aid-care/
The world is quickly changing, and RK Audiology knows how to keep your hearing safe and healthy. Try some of the items on our remote care hearing list to make a smooth transition, or set up an appointment for more information today.
As we move into a new era, the question of how to keep ourselves safe from COVID-19 and other pandemics is evolving from immediate control practices to how things should look moving forward. RK Audiology cares about our client’s safety beyond quarantine as much as we care about the current situation. To accommodate you better, we have initiated some new services to help flatten the curve now and to help prevent future outbreaks.
New Safety Measures
Curbside Audiology
You no longer have to come into our office to drop off or hearing aid pick up repairs. Simply call our office ahead of time and we will meet you at the curb, saving you time and assisting you with social distancing.
Telehealth Appts
Many of our services are now available via phone or video conferencing. These appointments are all HIPAA compliant and easy to schedule. Get more information here:
To lessen contact, we’ve put some of our best products online in a new shop. You can find items such as:
Ear care and cleaning products
Supplies for the care and maintenance of your hearing aids
Cleansing wipes to keep your devices clean
With free shipping, this new store will make purchasing your regular ear and device care supplies convenient and cost-effective. You can even find gift cards for you and your loved ones.
https://shop.rkaudiology.com/
Safety Beyond Quarantine Means Changing Our Habits
Once we are all moving forward again, it’s important to remember that we can help prevent future outbreaks by continuing to use some of the new routines we’ve developed over the last few months. There are simple things you can do to ensure your safety and others’ safety beyond quarantine:
Wash your hands frequently – We come in contact with germs and dirt in every part of our lives. Washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (Humming the birthday song twice is a good indicator!), helps keep your hands clean and disinfected.
Sneeze and cough into your elbow or shoulder – Covering your mouth whenever you cough or sneeze is always a good practice. After the face masks come off, make sure to sneeze or cough into your elbow or shoulder.
Stay home if you’re sick – We’re learning new things about work/life balance during this process, and one takeaway should be to stay home when you feel an illness coming on. It helps others stay healthy and helps you get better more quickly.
Personal self-awareness – Once we’re all able to be in closer contact again, it is still a good idea to develop personal awareness of yourself and the people and things around you. Keeping surfaces disinfected and observing personal space can go a long way toward keeping us all healthy.
We will continue to find new and convenient ways to help our clients adapt during this time and increase everyone’s safety beyond quarantine. Check out our new shop or book an appointment today!
