We've heard from several creative clinic owners who are using this time to "think outside of the booth". They are pondering ways to continue to offer their services even when the clinic doors are shut. We want to share what we hear, in the event that it is useful to you as well.
Millions of workers are exposed to potentially damaging levels of noise on a daily basis and, when uncontrolled, this noise can cause life-altering hearing damage. The same can be said about the chemical agents found in many workplaces. Significant research has been devoted to understanding the negative impact that ototoxic chemicals (known as ototoxicants) can have on one’s hearing and balance. As with unsafe noise levels, a well-designed hearing conservation program will protect workers against hearing health issues resulting from exposure to ototoxicants.
Here we are, already 3 months into 2018 and I'm only now sitting down to write the article. It's been a hectic start to the year. But the bulk of events that we attend happen in the spring and again in the fall. So now seems a good time to capture the audiology conferences in 2018 that we are both committed to, and considering.
Audiometers are very precise electronic instruments used for testing human hearing. They are regulated by ANSI/ASA S3.6-2010, which is the standard that provides the specifications and tolerances for such devices. To ensure that your audiometer continues to function accurately and conform to the standard, it is necessary for you to routinely check and verify the audiometer. Called a biological calibration or verification, these checks are performed to confirm that the system is free of any defects that might erroneously impact test results.
Tuberculosis (TB) is a global pandemic, and multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) presents additional, unique challenges for those who suffer from this debilitating disease. Existing drug treatments are multifactorial and complex with lengthy treatment regimens, complicated administration, and toxic secondary effects. The costly treatment of drug- resistant TB can take up to two years and presents significant challenges to health systems, payers, and patients. Recognizing that significant hearing loss can be a side effect of the current treatment regimen for MDR-TB, there is a need to closely monitor patients undergoing treatment with existing and new drug therapies.
Photo Credit: Vital Strategies
Did you know that March 24 is World Tuberculosis Day? It recognizes the date in 1882 when Dr. Robert Koch announced he had discovered the cause of tuberculosis (TB) and it is intended to raise public awareness that, even today, the disease remains an epidemic that causes the deaths of nearly 1.5 million people each year.
