What Does January mean to you? Cold Weather? A fresh start? Capricorns? Diet? Exercise? National Pizza Week? How about a resolution to Hear Better and Fall Less? We want you to maximize your hearing. If it has been over 2 years since your last hearing evaluation; if you have recently been diagnosed with Diabetes or a Cardiac Condition; the time is now to discuss your hearing, balance or tinnitus concerns with your physician and get a referral for a diagnostic hearing evaluation. There is some new legislation in the works that may soon give you direct access to audiology services but for now talking to your doctor is the best way to initiate an evaluation and get it covered by your insurance provider.

Here at Elkhart Audiology Rehab it is a time to refresh our surroundings and renew our commitment to serve your hearing needs with professionalism and joy! We will be completing some minor renovations at the end of the month to provide Stefanie with some dedicated space. This will allow her to better handle your hearing aid testing and cleaning needs or to assist with phone and app connection needs without trying to talk over other clients in our reception area. So please pardon our dust and bear with our re-direction for seating as this project continues.

Our Team has Expanded.

Our goal is to provide you with the best patient experience. We also want to provide good work/life/balance for our employees. Since we have extended our days of operation and our hours of availability over the last 2 years, additional staff helps meet both goals. So, meet Louise Gaghan. She comes to us with a wealth of scheduling and insurance experience and she has a warm authentic personality to boot! She and her husband Ron are from Elkhart; their church family and their cat Mordecai keep them engaged in our community.

To keep you up to date: We are open Monday – Thursday from 8am-530pm. Fridays are from 8-noon. It is best to call ahead for a time set aside just for you. Our service commitment means Stefanie or I will do our best to see you within 24-48 hours when there is a problem.

• Louise, Tuesday- Friday mornings.
• Deb, Tues- Thursday afternoons
• Stefanie, Monday – Thursday
• Tori is here on Mondays or to help with special projects.
• Sharon’s patient schedule varies but is available Mon- Fri.

We Want You to Experience a HIT every time!

Did you realize we test each new hearing aid and most repairs sent to us from the manufacturer? We do this to be sure they were not damaged in shipping or that they were repaired properly. There are ANSI standards which include gain, maximum output, distortion, and battery drain. The equipment (pictured here) is called a Hearing Instrument Test Box and the electro-acoustic evaluation processes we follow are part of our commitment to provide you with the best practices in hearing care. These “medical grade” audiology standards and processes differentiate us from those taking a retail approach to making a hearing aid sale or issuing personal amplification/ over the counter designed devices which are not required to meet any standards.

Phone Connection Concerns? Three things to check

• Does the operating system on your phone need updating?
• Verify your Hearing Aid App is up to date. They work in synch with one another and a miss match can cause connection troubles. Occasionally a reinstallation of the App is required.
• Be sure you have a fresh battery in your hearing aid and a good charge on your phone.
  If you need more help, give us a call and we’ll set up a time to get you re-connected. Please bring your passwords will you.

So, What is the Excitement about CBD Oil? What is CBG?

About 30 years ago, scientists discovered the Endocannabinoid System (the engine of homeostasis in our body) and began studying how different receptors helped to regulate the human body. CB1 receptors are mainly found in the brain and central nervous system and moderate memory, mood and movement. CB2 receptors exist on every white blood cell and all immune tissues in the body and modulate the immune function. Our engine of homeostasis is fueled by cannabinoids. There has only been one drug cleared by the FDA that is based on cannabis and it is for the treatment of epilepsy. However, as the study of hemp plants and the processing of the plant has evolved some benefits have been documented related to the use of CBD oils.

The CBD oil industry has not been regulated, the amount of CBD in any given product, THC components, and how it is processed impact the benefits of using CBD. If you are going to try CBD, I would encourage you to find a medical grade product like Zilis, not one sold at a gas-station or video store. You want a product that is water soluble, so it absorbs into the body well and does not have the THC risks.

People and pets react differently so dosages may vary . Why has your audiologist researched this? Because, there are testimonials of this product being helpful for stress relief/falling sleep/ pain relief/reducing tremors and reducing tinnitus. If you have more questions, let me know. Essential oils or CBD should never be placed in the ear canal; as they have the potential to burn. CBD can interact with blood thinners so always check with your doctor before adding this to your health routine. CBG has been found to bind to the receptors and helps CBD work better. It is called an entourage effect when the two are used together. So we offer combo packs allowing you to maximize your benefits.

Thanks for spreading the word about our office. Your referrals mean everything to us! We look forward to working more with you in 2020. Blessings- Sharon