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FLEX Electrodes: Design Matters for Atraumaticity and Hearing Preservation
By Darla Franz The US Food and Drug Administration approved new FLEX24 and FLEX28 electrode arrays from worldwide hearing implant manufacturer MED-EL earlier this year for use with its MAESTRO Cochlear Implant System. The first US patients began taking advantage of this new technology in July. Does electrode length really matter when it comes to cochlear implants? And does electrode design make a difference when it comes to atraumaticity and preservation of residual hearing? Research tells us they do. The FLEX28 array is 28 mm in length and enables implantation in 96 percent of all typical cochlear anatomies, allowin...
Source: R&D Blog - November 5, 2012 Category: ENT & OMF Tags: Blog Posts Source Type: blogs

Tinnitus Evaluation Program Offers Treatment Measure Outcomes
By David W. Holmes, PhD MelMedtronics will release its new Tinnitus Evaluation Program (TEP) software in October. This product is Medicare-compliant and reimbursable, creating opportunity for an untapped revenue stream in audiology and otolaryngology practices. Medicare approved a new CPT code for tinnitus evaluation (CPT-92625) seven years ago, and four evaluation requirements comply with the procedure. Frequency match, intensity match, minimum masking level, and presence of residual inhibition must be documented for patients’ tinnitus measurements. Medicare currently reimburses an average of $67.44 (depending on geo...
Source: R&D Blog - September 26, 2012 Category: ENT & OMF Tags: Blog Posts Source Type: blogs

Tinnitus Evaluation Program Offers Treatment Measure Outcomes
By David W. Holmes, PhD MelMedtronics will release its new Tinnitus Evaluation Program (TEP) software in October. This product is Medicare-compliant and reimbursable, creating opportunity for an untapped revenue stream in audiology and otolaryngology practices. Medicare approved a new CPT code for tinnitus evaluation (CPT-92625) seven years ago, and four evaluation requirements comply with the procedure. Frequency match, intensity match, minimum masking level, and presence of residual inhibition must be documented for patients’ tinnitus measurements. Medicare currently reimburses an average of $67.44 (depending on geogr...
Source: R&D Blog - September 26, 2012 Category: ENT & OMF Tags: Blog Posts Source Type: blogs

Binaural Fusion Puts Hearing Aid Users in the Driver’s Seat
By Tammara Stender, AuD Most drivers keep their gaze on the windshield to see oncoming traffic. It is, after all, the best way to avoid collisions. Occasionally, however, you will check your rearview and side mirrors to monitor the road and other vehicles. Mirrors are crucial for safe driving, even though you cannot drive effectively while constantly looking at them. A quick glance in the side mirror can tell you when it is unsafe to pass another car. The rearview mirror can help locate the sound of an approaching ambulance. Accidents and reckless driving would be extremely common without these mirrors. Many hearing...
Source: R&D Blog - August 31, 2012 Category: ENT & OMF Tags: Blog Posts Source Type: blogs

Binaural Fusion Puts Hearing Aid Users in the Driver’s Seat
By Tammara Stender, AuD Most drivers keep their gaze on the windshield to see oncoming traffic. It is, after all, the best way to avoid collisions. Occasionally, however, you will check your rearview and side mirrors to monitor the road and other vehicles. Mirrors are crucial for safe driving, even though you cannot drive effectively while constantly looking at them. A quick glance in the side mirror can tell you when it is unsafe to pass another car. The rearview mirror can help locate the sound of an approaching ambulance. Accidents and reckless driving would be extremely common without these mirrors. Many hearing ai...
Source: R&D Blog - August 31, 2012 Category: ENT & OMF Tags: Blog Posts Source Type: blogs

Free or Low-Cost Telecommunications Equipment Offered to Hearing Impaired
By Jan Sheehan Qualified consumers with hearing loss now have access to the best in amplified telephones from Amplicom, which are approved by and part of special state programs in Iowa, Kansas, Georgia, and Tennessee. Amplicom is known for its practical approach to telephone communications for those with hearing loss. The company’s PowerTel series of corded and cordless amplified telephones and accessories have met and exceeded the TIA-1083 standard for superior hearing aid compatibility developed by the Telecommunications Industry Association. Based on the most advanced technology, these phones are known for their ...
Source: R&D Blog - August 1, 2012 Category: ENT & OMF Tags: Blog Posts Source Type: blogs

Free or Low-Cost Telecommunications Equipment Offered to Hearing Impaired
By Jan Sheehan Qualified consumers with hearing loss now have access to the best in amplified telephones from Amplicom, which are approved by and part of special state programs in Iowa, Kansas, Georgia, and Tennessee. Amplicom is known for its practical approach to telephone communications for those with hearing loss. The company’s PowerTel series of corded and cordless amplified telephones and accessories have met and exceeded the TIA-1083 standard for superior hearing aid compatibility developed by the Telecommunications Industry Association. Based on the most advanced technology, these phones are known for their ex...
Source: R&D Blog - August 1, 2012 Category: ENT & OMF Tags: Blog Posts Source Type: blogs

Selecting the Best Entity for Your Practice
By Andrew Schwartz, CPA Making daily decisions is part of being an audiologist in practice. Some practice management issues have only one solution, but most require research on a variety of options. Selecting the best type of entity for your practice is one of those issues that has multiple possibilities. Now is the time to determine which type of entity works best if you are in the process of opening or purchasing a practice; you can also take this opportunity to revisit your entity selection if you already own a practice. Most Popular Entity Selection Most audiology practices operate as a sole proprieto...
Source: R&D Blog - June 29, 2012 Category: ENT & OMF Tags: Blog Posts Source Type: blogs

Selecting the Best Entity for Your Practice
By Andrew Schwartz, CPA Making daily decisions is part of being an audiologist in practice. Some practice management issues have only one solution, but most require research on a variety of options. Selecting the best type of entity for your practice is one of those issues that has multiple possibilities. Now is the time to determine which type of entity works best if you are in the process of opening or purchasing a practice; you can also take this opportunity to revisit your entity selection if you already own a practice. Most Popular Entity Selection Most audiology practices operate as a sole proprietorship, ...
Source: R&D Blog - June 29, 2012 Category: ENT & OMF Tags: Blog Posts Source Type: blogs

Finding the Right Marketing Strategy
By Sheri Billing, AuD This is an exciting— and confusing— time for audiologists to decide on marketing and public relations tactics. The media are in flux; more people are seeking free news on the Internet, resulting in declining newspaper subscriptions and television ratings. Social media sites, meanwhile, like Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest are gaining momentum. My personal and experience in promotional and marketing tactics may help you decide what is right for your practice. �...
Source: R&D Blog - May 29, 2012 Category: ENT & OMF Tags: Blog Posts Source Type: blogs

Finding the Right Marketing Strategy
By Sheri Billing, AuD This is an exciting— and confusing— time for audiologists to decide on marketing and public relations tactics. The media are in flux; more people are seeking free news on the Internet, resulting in declining newspaper subscriptions and television ratings. Social media sites, meanwhile, like Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest are gaining momentum. My personal and experience in promotional and marketing tactics may help you decide what is right for your practice. ...
Source: R&D Blog - May 29, 2012 Category: ENT & OMF Tags: Blog Posts Source Type: blogs

Franchising the Hearing Healthcare Industry
Franchising the Hearing Healthcare Industry By Michele Fusco The franchise model has allowed many small business owners to succeed, some beyond their wildest dreams. Franchising is not particularly new to healthcare, but it deserves a closer look as this industry forges forward. Perhaps it is time for the healthcare industry to take cues from a company deemed the antithesis of health: McDonald’s. McDonald’s inspires images of french fries, Big Macs, and golden arches. Their theme is consistency. Most people know what is on the menu, the quantity and quality of the food, the wait time, how much the meal w...
Source: R&D Blog - April 18, 2012 Category: ENT & OMF Tags: Blog Posts Source Type: blogs

Franchising the Hearing Healthcare Industry
Franchising the Hearing Healthcare Industry By Michele Fusco The franchise model has allowed many small business owners to succeed, some beyond their wildest dreams. Franchising is not particularly new to healthcare, but it deserves a closer look as this industry forges forward. Perhaps it is time for the healthcare industry to take cues from a company deemed the antithesis of health: McDonald’s. McDonald’s inspires images of french fries, Big Macs, and golden arches. Their theme is consistency. Most people know what is on the menu, the quantity and quality of the food, the wait time, how much the meal will co...
Source: R&D Blog - April 18, 2012 Category: ENT & OMF Tags: Blog Posts Source Type: blogs

Maximizing Your Practice’s Revenue in a Tough Economy
By Mikkel Knudsen A bad economy and fear of a recession have made selling luxury items, such as hearing aids, a tumultuous task over the past few years. Selling something most people don’t want can be stressful, especially when advertisements and direct mail marketing efforts aren’t pulling in new patients. The search for advertising’s silver bullet is on. Knowing your return on investment is the closest you can get to a silver bullet. Understanding the cost of acquiring a new patient is as necessary as balancing an investment portfolio to maximize returns. Tracking these efforts on a regular basis will help ...
Source: R&D Blog - March 13, 2012 Category: ENT & OMF Tags: Blog Posts Source Type: blogs

Maximizing Your Practice’s Revenue in a Tough Economy
By Mikkel Knudsen A bad economy and fear of a recession have made selling luxury items, such as hearing aids, a tumultuous task over the past few years. Selling something most people don’t want can be stressful, especially when advertisements and direct mail marketing efforts aren’t pulling in new patients. The search for advertising’s silver bullet is on. Knowing your return on investment is the closest you can get to a silver bullet. Understanding the cost of acquiring a new patient is as necessary as balancing an investment portfolio to maximize returns. Tracking these efforts on a regular basis will help deter...
Source: R&D Blog - March 13, 2012 Category: ENT & OMF Tags: Blog Posts Source Type: blogs