What's new in hearing technology in 2011?

Spring has arrived! We can't help but think of that saying "out with the old and in with the new" around this time of year. Earlier this year, Audibel released brand new wireless technology that we’re very excited about. Dr. Swander, Dr. Burns and Kimberly packed our bags and headed to Las Vegas, NV to learn all about the latest and greatest Audibel had to offer. Here are some things we learned about:

Range is Audibel’s brand new hearing aid system which utilizes IRIS™ Technology. It allows sound from your TV, stereo or computer to stream directly into your hearing aids. The SurfLink transmitter simply plugs into the device you would like to transmit and once it’s turned on, you can enjoy sound without having to wear any extra accessories. You control your volume and the people with you can keep their volume at a comfortable level. Range also includes the latest technologies designed to deliver a better listening experience. Some features include:

Active Noise Control is a feature designed to significantly reduce listening effort delivering maximum comfort and clear speech in even the noisiest environments.

Ear-to-Ear Wireless Communication allows your hearing aids to automatically communicate with each other wirelessly. Manually adjusting one aid will automatically adjust the other.

Superior Speech Locator seeks out speech sounds and decreases unwanted background noise allowing you to focus on the conversation and not what is going on around you.

WhistleFree Feedback Cancellation is the best feedback management system available. Annoying whistling and buzzing are no longer an issue.

During our trip to Las Vegas, we were able to get some hands-on experience with these products. The SurfLink truly is simple set-up. You plug the transmitter into the device you want to steam, set the range of distance you want to transmit. That’s it. One time. Then you sit back and enjoy listening in surround sound.

We could go on and on about new technology but we’d love for you to experience it for yourself. Please contact our office for an appointment. We have 2 convenient locations in Longmont (303) 776-8748 and Boulder (303) 499-3900.

Do's and Do Not's of Ear Care

Have you ever heard the saying, “Don’t put anything smaller then your elbow in your ear”? It sounds like advice like you grandmother yells at you when she catches you sticking something in your ear. If you are anything like me, you replied “ok”, walked out of her view and continued what you were doing. If you’re not supposed to stick things in your ears, then why does it feel so good sometimes? Like right when you get out of the shower or when there’s a really bad itch. Well as it turns out like many things grandmothers say, this statement is true. For the sake of your ears, nothing smaller than your elbow should go in you ear. Here are some helpful Do’s and Don’ts of ear care brought to you by someone other than your grandmother.

Do Not...

· Stick random things in your ears. This includes bobby pins, matches, pen tips, pencils and keys

· Use Q-Tips too deep. Q-Tips are great for cleaning the outside of your ear and right inside the canal. It is just not safe to aggressively dig a stick with cotton on the tip into your ear. I know it feels good (yes I am talking to you Mom) but it is NOT SAFE to go too deep. If you actually look at the Q-Tip box, ears aren’t even a suggested use.

· Let very hot or very cold water run into your ear canals when you are in the shower. You can let water run in your ears but make sure the water is warm.

Do...
· Let wax come out of your naturally. Wax is secreted by the body to keep dust, dirt, hair and other things AWAY from the eardrum. If you go sticking things into your ear, you could push the wax back too far.

· Use drops to soften hard plugged wax. You can use over-the-counter drops like Debrox or something found at home like olive oil.

· Use an easy flush of you want to keep your ears clean. You can use a solution of one part warm water and one part vinegar or hydrogen peroxide. Using a bulb syringe (the kind you use on infants) suck up the solution and flush your ears. You want to tilt your head down on the side you are flushing so the solution shoots up and falls back out of the ear.

· Go to a professional for wax removal if the wax becomes impacted (plugged).

There you have it. Some simple Do’s and Do Not’s about ear care. Told to you by a professional, and not your grandmother.

Have You Heard The News?

Have you ever been so excited to share such exciting news that it's hard to know where to start? Well that’s how we feel. Last week Dr. Swander was invited to Audibel headquarters in MN to learn about Audibel's new line of products. The most exciting development introduced at the conference was a brand new style of hearing aid, the Invisibel.

The Invisibel is the first custom Invisible in the Canal (IIC) hearing aid of it's kind! It fits so deeply in the canal that it truly is invisible. Really, it is! Check out the picture. It is fully digital and completely programmable.

The Invisibel boasts Audibel's top rated Whistle-Free Feedback Cancellation feature that virtually eliminates any buzzing or whistling. It also utilizes the brand new Active Noise Control feature. This exciting feature was designed and tirelessly tested and perfected to seek out speech sounds in noise. Imagine being able to truly hear someone speaking to you even in the midst of background noise. We're pretty excited about this new feature.

Of course, the Invisibel also has some pretty cool telephone features such as the Automatic Telephone Response. Yes- that is basically how it sounds. When you put the phone to your ear, the hearing aid recognizes the phone and automatically changes to the pre-programmed telephone setting for optimal hearing. When you take the phone away, the hearing aid will automatically change back to the appropriate setting. Finally, the Invisibel is equipped with the T2 Remote Control feature. This handy feature allows the hearing aid wearer to adjust the programs or volume of the hearing aid with any touch-tone phone, including cell phones. It’s like having a remote control by using something you already carry around.

The Invisibel hearing aid is custom made for each patient. It is not meant to be an extended wear hearing aid like some similar aids out there. It is actually much healthier for your ears to take the hearing aids out at night. You don't sleep with your glasses do you? Then why commit to sleeping with your hearing aids in? Trust us- everyone sees and hears perfectly in their dreams!

Bottom Line: the Invisibel is a high quality, digital hearing aid that is packed full of cutting edge technology and features that is custom-made to fit so deeply in the canal that it's invisible! How much better can you get?

We can hardly wait to start fitting the Invisibel and hearing all the wonderful feedback we are positive this hearing aid will bring.