How Much Cash For a TipTrode? - Part 1

We've all seen those ridiculous cash for gold advertisements on television. You send away for an envelope, place 'unwanted' or 'unused' gold in envelope, send, and wait for your check. I decided to conduct an audiological experiment requiring two of the most notable cash for gold companies and a handful of used tiptrodes. I decided on using two companies because I could not gather anything conclusive on the internet as to which cash for gold company was more reputable.

The tiptrodes are foam insert eartips that are wrapped with a gold foil. These tiptrodes are used in auditory evoked potential testing, such as auditory brainstem response. To be more specific, I am using 4 used (but sanitized!) 13mm Tiptrodes.












The two cash for gold companies used were Cash4Gold and 1-800 Gold Kit. I signed up on each website and within days I received my gold kits in the mail.
















Here's what you've probably seen on TV from each of these companies:

Cash4Gold:


1-800 Gold Kit:


I placed 2 tiptrodes in each envelope and sent them away in the mail. I pulled no punches with them, as you can see the picture below I describe exactly what the envelope contains.












We'll see what turns up! Most from what I've heard about these companies is that they're big scams, they payout less than 30% of the actual value of the gold. Some people have been known to contest the amount offered and been awarded more. It's also been proven that someone who's gold spray painted objects have received some (very little) money for it.

Fun with an NU-6 Word List

For you audiology folk, anytime I am trying to obtain a word recognition score using Auditec of St. Louis' NU-6 words I must chuckle when a particular two words are asked to be repeated. They are right after each other on List 1A. It reminds me of a particular SNL commercial parody featured below. For you non-audiology folk, word recognition measures a person's ability to repeat a word at a suprathreshold level of loudness - if it's loud enough for you to hear, can you repeat it. Audiology folk will get a kick out of it and if you don't get it you'll get a kick out of Horatio Sanz.

Check it out!

This Summer's Silver Screened Hearing Aid Hero

I haven't seen it yet, but I can't wait to see this last weekend's #1 film at the box office, Pixar's Up. The film's main character is an elderly man named Carl Fredrickson, voiced by Ed Asner. Carl sports an ITE hearing aid in his right ear. The film actually contains hearing aid feedback, check out the clip below! Since millions have already gone out to see this flick, I wonder if folks will ask their audiologist to be fit with what Carl's got or will it detract those from getting fit for fear of being stereotyped as the animated senior citizen.

Pixar's Up, now with hearing aid feedback!

Profound Hearing Loss, MTV-Style

I never watch MTV, but I found this episode of their series True Life about 2 young people with profound hearing loss - a high schooler who gets a cochlear implant and a college student trying out for the Baltimore Ravens cheerleading squad.

True Life: I'm Deaf - Part 1


True Life: I'm Deaf - Part 2


True Life: I'm Deaf - Part 3


True Life: I'm Deaf - Part 4


True Life: I'm Deaf - Part 5


True Life: I'm Deaf - Part 6

Vitamins to Prevent Hearing Loss?

If you didn't see my presentation on otoprotectants in my class yesterday or don't even know what otoprotectants are, then you may not know that there's recently been research and supplements in the works to be taken to reduce the effects of noise-induced hearing loss. It's based research using antioxidants, like vitamin C, to reduce toxic levels of cellular bi-products produced in the inner ear when one is exposed to high levels of noise. Dr. Josef M Miller, Ph.D., from Kresge Hearing Research Institute at The University of Michigan has developed a supplement to reduce noise-induced hearing loss. He's started a company, OTO Medicine, to produce AuraQuell - a supplement of antioxidants (Vitamin A,C,E) and vasodilator (Mg). With this supplement, soldiers who are exposed to loud levels of noise where hearing protection may not be sufficient could take this supplement and reduce the risk or amount of permanent hearing loss. The supplement is in the human testing stage, it will be interesting to see what develops.

Here's a couple of videos with Dr. Miller on AuraQuell

Springfield Audiology

Grandpa Simpson takes a hearing test along with Jasper and Old Jewish Man. Even though there's tons wrong with the audiologic protocol, still chuckle-inducing.

Fun with Megaphones

My roommate Gary wants to use a megaphone for Halloween. He got one in the mail today, it's quite a fun toy. Here's a couple of videos that remind me of megaphones.

'Observational Humor' from The Tom Green Show:



From The Simpsons: I'm not sure if this would amplify Bart's voice, just amplify a giant wave of feedback, anyways hilarious. In remembrance of National Protect Your Hearing Month, remember kids, don't do this if you want to keep your hearing. That ringing at the end of this clip - tinnitus - may not go away.

Communication Strategy by Sir Mix-a-Lot

The rapper from Seattle gives us a good strategy that would work in aural rehab.

A 'Hearing Aid' Good Enough to Throw Away?

So there's been a lot of buzz on tech sites recently about the Songbird flexfit, which it being marketed as 'the first disposable hearing aid.' I find the use of the word 'hearing aid' here is quite loose as there is no documentation as to how this device works. Since there is no documentation explaining how this device is actually improving hearing, these appear to be no more than an assistive listening device (ALD) that is shaped like a behind-the-ear hearing aid. It will amplify sound across a broad frequency without specifically amplify what the user needs based in his/her hearing. TV Ears are a good example of an ALD. Many movie theaters now have these available.

On top of that, here's some issues I have with the flexfit based on what their website and advertising states and how it relates to the user manual:

• Claims that there are no hearing exam or in-office fittings required: Again, I'd question the definition of it being called a hearing aid as opposed to an ALD since I'm not sure exactly how the Flexfit performs its functions. If there are no hearing exams, one will not have a device tailored to his/her hearing and may be fitted with something that may amplify sound too loud and could actually create a hearing loss. If there are no in-office fittings, the hearing aid may not fit the ear canal properly and may cause pain or will not properly amplify noise or create feedback noise.
• Claims is "Very Comfortable": It appears as though the receiver for the device is in the earpiece. There is also only one available earpiece for the price. Since comfort ability is a subjective thing, it's hard to claim something is very comfortable especially if there is only one set earpiece. Ear canals come in all shapes and sizes, I've seen enough ears in the hearing conservation field to know that there is no one-size-fits-all ear plug or piece: maybe one-size-fits-most.
• Claims "No Maintenance": This is a little common sense to realize this is deceptive advertising. Depending on how your ear produces wax and how you take care of anything that would be placed in your ear, anything can and probably will get dirty and will need to be cleaned. The users manual even has a section on how to clean the device.
• "400 Hours of Active Use": One of the big selling points for this device is that it's disposable. Anyone with with experience with hearing aid batteries, they have a sticker you take off to activate the battery because it works on the oxidation of a material like zinc. Because of this, whether you use the battery or not, once that sticker is removed the battery will continue to age. The flexfit uses a similar type of battery. If you read the guidebook, it strongly advises user to not remove the device from it's foil pouch unless you are ready to use: opening it will begin the oxidation process. The guidebook also has a section about battery life. The '400 hours of active use' are based upon regular use of the device 3 or more hours per day. For hearing aids to be effective, they should be used regularly and not infrequently so that a person can adjust to how different things sound.
  
• "Invented by Sarnof..": I won't go to far off the deep end on this one, but if they're insinuating that because a company came up with HDTV then they can come up with a high end hearing aid because they're both digital that's deceiving. The visual and auditory processes of the human body are very different and should not be directly compared. There is no "lasik" surgery correlate to hearing loss nor is getting glasses for poor vision garner the same type of improvement of life that being fit with a hearing aid does.
• Affordability: Obviously this device is cheaper off the back than buying a hearing aid. Part of the advertising states that you "never pay more than you use." If you buy 2 flexfits (having both ears at the same hearing level is more beneficial than one), it'll initially cost roughly $160. But how about in the long run? Based on the battery life, we'll say a person uses the flexfits about 8 hours a day. It'll take about under 2 months to need to replace them. We'll be conservative and say the person replaces them every 2 months, so 6 times a year: $160 x 6 = $960/year. We'll say hearing aids will last you 5 years (again conservative and they're getting better with technology), so the amount of flexfits for that time would be: $960 x 5 = $4800. You could, depending on where you get them, get a pair of basic digital programmable hearing aids (which would also include a pair of custom earmolds) for under $2000. At this cost these days you can get a device that has a directional microphone (major factor for increase of understanding speech in noisy areas), has multiple listening programs, and an option for a telecoil (makes it able to listen to the phone). I know that $2000 is not going to put into account the audiologist visits or batteries. Keep in mind that although insurance may not pay for all costs, they may pay a big chunk. Insurance is not going to cover an over-the-counter device.
  

Something about over-the-counter devices like flexfit is that FDA has rejected creating a class of over-the-counter hearing aids that don't require a medical evaluation because of the medical risks to a person's health. Our hearing is a strong proponent of our ability to interact with others and be social. A recent study at Michigan State did not have very favorable results for these types of devices either - take what you will with the fact that Oticon funded the research.

I know that's a huge list of things I'm bashing for this device and I can't go into ALL the aspects of hearing aid fitting and cost in this simple blog. I'm sure people will say that because I'm in the process of getting my AuD (Doctorate of Audiology), that I'm against the thing because it would be a hit from my future income. Fitting someone with hearing aids is only a portion of what an audiologist does and can do. Hearing aids are definitely a lucrative business and it's gotten to the point where those who are not audiologists are now qualified to sell a hearing aid.

AK! My 'Northern Exposure' : Set an Open Course

Last Friday, I set out on the M/V Columbia towards Juneau, AK for work. The ship is part of the Alaska Marine Highway System, a ferry service traveling along the west coast of Alaska, Canada, and goes as far south as Bellingham, Washington. The system has been named an All-American Road by the Federal Highway Administration. Due to the lack of road access in many places of Alaska, the AMHS may be the only way of transportation besides air. I left from the terminal in Bellingham and it took me about 57 hours total to get up to Alaska's capital. There were stops along the way, including Ketchikan, Wrangell, and Petersburg, AK. As you can see pics of the ship, it's a step up from a regular commuter ferry, definitely not cruise ship class though. I stayed in a cabin (really small, but I had it to myself), but you have the option of either sleeping inside the boat in many of the recliners or outside of the boat. The back of the boat has 2 decks where passengers can pitch their tents during their stay on the boat. There also is a solarium area, where people can sleep in their sleeping bags on beach chairs under a canopy. The sites on the way are nice, and the boat was quiet enough in the car deck that I was able to perform some hearing tests for the engine crew.

Click here to see the route I took via Google Maps

NFL & Reebok Concerned About Hearing Conservation?

Reebok just released a commercial advertising the new NFL Reebok Speedwick Performance Tee, showcasing an array of NFL stars, including the Colts' Manning, Saturday, and Wayne (0:35). The most important thing about this commercial that I'm commenting on is the appropriate use of hearing protection in a commercial. Titans quarterback Vince Young (0:20) is shown on a riding lawn mower and wearing ear muffs. Many power mowers average around 90 dB SPL, which is definitely loud enough where the exposure will make some susceptible to noise induced hearing loss. I guess I was shocked about this commercial showing the hearing protection because if you go to lawn mower vendors' websites, you won't even see the ads or promo shots with people wearing hearing protection. Take Toro, Honda, or John Deere, I couldn't find any hearing protection in the photos or videos.

A Wonderful Miracle of Science & Music

So I'm back from the East Coast for 4th of July weekend. I can't believe the Northwest is that much better in the summer! I'm rockin' out w/ my new Dell XPS M1530. I'll show it off soon, still trying to get it all tweaked. Anyways, here's a video about a cool new procedure, Aural Implant Technology:

Yes, Racing is a Noisy Hobby Too

Today was the 92nd Running of the Indianapolis 500 and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Scott Dixon won the race after leading 115 out of 200 laps with the #9 Target Chip Ganassi Racing Car to become the first New Zealander to win the Indy 500. As I was watching Dixon take his helmet after pulling into Victory Circle, I noticed him pull out in-the-ear monitors and throw them on the ground. Obviously the camera's fixed on Dixon, but I noticed the the monitors had a couple of cords and someone in the crew immediately picked them up off the ground. I did some digging and found out on the IRL website that the monitors not only give the driver the crew radio, but also include the Delphi Earpiece Sensor System. This system has a series of 3 accelerometers that gather vertical, lateral and longitudinal G-forces on the driver's head on the moment of impact. The earpiece sends the data to the car's 'black box.' Some pretty nice earpieces: Attenuate (some: racing is LOUD) noise, communication headset, and head impact data all in one.
UPDATE 6/4/08: Found out the earmold/headphone provider for the IRL headsets is Sensaphonics. The headphones are e-Racer 500's.











Also, in the mood of racing I found these:

That's right, they're ear plugs that look like spark plugs. The company Just Plugs' mission is to develop, manufacture, and sell high quality ornamental hearing protection. Check out their MySpace page, as it shows pics of how they look in the ears. Talk about ornamental, they look like the bolts coming out of Frankenstein's monster! They apparently have a 30 dB noise reduction rating, but no frequency attenuation information is listed on the site.