To Our Valued Patients:
Your health and wellness have always been our highest priority. We appreciate the growing concern with COVID-19 within our communities. In an effort to do our part in exercising caution and protecting ourselves and our patients, we will be offering modifications to our appointments.
We will be offering the following modified services until further notice:
1-TeleHealth appointments. These will encompass hearing aid checks and troubleshooting.
Requirements : 1-advance call to setup the appointment, 2-a device that has both a camera and microphone, such as a smart phone, tablet, or laptop, and 3-a valid email address to receive the TeleHealth link.
2-Drop- Off Appointments. Should you require an onsite repair or troubleshoot, we will schedule a curbside appointment where you can wait in your car (for 5-10 minutes) while we troubleshoot your hearing aid(s) in our office. If it/they can’t be repaired on site, your device(s) will be sent out to the manufacturer for offsite repair and you will be called to arrange a pick up once we receive it. Be assured that all appointments will be managed by us with proper sanitizing and protective gear.
3- TeleHealth Programming Options. For those with newer technology hearing aids which directly communicate with your mobile phone, we offer remote programming options, as necessary. Should your hearing devices need to be reprogrammed, we can arrange for a telehealth programming appointment.
4-Walk-In Hour on Thursdays 11:00am-12:00noon will now be Curbside Hour, and still on Thursdays 11:00am-12:00noon. Should you need a clean and check at that time, please call us and let us know you are curbside. We will come out and take your hearing aid(s) in for a clean and check.
A Few Other Reminders
Wear your hearing aid(s). Remember that although you are home and in a quiet environment, wearing your hearing aid(s) keeps that speech processing center stimulated and active, especially to the soft sounds all around you. After you have washed up in the morning, place your hearing aids in your ears and wear them all day, as much as possible.
TV. Many of us are watching our TV sets for any and all updates, perhaps more than we ever were. Use closed captions if TV volume is still a struggle, or reach out to us and we can help you explore a TV accessory that streams the TV signal directly into your hearing aids for better fidelity. All manufacturers have Bluetooth-enabled TV accessories that, when coupled to hearing aids, improve the signal when at a distance from the TV.
Wax Filters. If you have hearing aids with wax filters, remember to change them as often as we discussed. Keeping them free of wax/debris will keep volume coming in at proper levels. Come by on our Curbside hour should you require assistance in changing your wax filters or need to purchase a wax filter supply.
Batteries/Chargers: Make sure you have a good supply of batteries. We recommend a three month supply, but not more (as they have a shelf life). We are happy to offer you a fresh supply, for pick up. For those with rechargeable hearing aids, keep your chargers in good working order by wiping them down once weekly (while they are unplugged) with a soft, dry tissue. As we move towards warmer months, consider getting a dehumidifier pod placed in the charger to keep moisture at bay.
Staying connected. We are asked to stay at home, but this doesn’t mean we don’t have to stay connected. Phone your friends and loved ones. Using features such as video chatting and facetime on your mobile phones can make it easier to chat with them, thanks to visual cues. Should you have significant difficulty on the phone, we are happy to certify Caption Call phones to your residence, which are at no charge to you. These amplified telephones work relatively well with hearing aids as well as provide captions. They can be installed within a week’s time from order. More information here: https://captioncall.com/
Staying Active. Staying at home does not mean you don’t have to stay active. There are plenty of local gyms and health centers providing online yoga and meditation sessions, as well as an array of other classes to keep you active from the safety of your living room. If you are able and the weather permits, take some time to go on a 10 minute walk to get some fresh air and perhaps some sun. Changing scenery often helps provide a much-needed change in perspective. For those with bluetooth streaming capabilities (from your phone to hearing aids), consider streaming music and e-books while you go about your day, or while you take a walk. More information on e-books via audible here: https://www.audible.com/ You can also check out mental wellness podcasts here: https://product.soundstrue.com/resilience-in-challenging-times/
Be Safe. Practice good handwashing, use safe distances when going out, stay home if you are unwell, and use delivery services (such as www.Instacart.com ) as necessary. It is a changing time, and your well being is important to us.
Please feel free to call us at (609) 896-5870, or email at info@oraclehearingcenter.com should you have any questions or concerns.
We are here for you and with you.
Yasmin Battat, AuD
Oracle Hearing Center, LLC