Ask The Experts
Q&A from the most trusted names in audiology.
What BC Thresholds are Recommended for Optimal Results with Bone Anchored Hearing Systems?
November 19, 2012
With single sided deafness, the guidelines indicate bone conduction thresholds in the good ear to be within 20 dB average between 500 and 3000 Hz. There has been advice saying that closer to 0-10 dB i... Read More
Bone Conduction Implants and Middle Ear Devices
Will Phonak’s Technology be Incorporated in Advanced Bionics’ CIs?
November 12, 2012
Sonova is a big name in the hearing aid world, but I recently heard that Phonak’s parent company also acquired Advanced Bionics. Does this mean the cochlear implant manufacturer will start to u... Read More
Cochlear Implants
Status of the VEMP: Is it Ethical and Can We Get Paid?
November 12, 2012
In regard to vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP), what's the current status with the the FDA? If VEMP has not yet been authorized by the FDA, is it ethical to do VEMP and to bill for it... Read More
Electrophysiology Practice Management and Professional Issues
How does DFS Ultra Feedback Cancellation Affect Telephone Use?
November 5, 2012
When a patient is using the telephone and DFS Ultra reduces gain to avoid feedback, will it degrade the patient’s ability to understand? Read More
Hearing Aids - Adults
How Can I Assess Patient State-of-Mind for Hearing Aids?
November 5, 2012
How can I tell which patients are really “ready” for hearing aids? Some patients who seem ready end up returning instruments, and some patients who don’t seem ready end up as succes... Read More
Aural Rehabilitation and Counseling - Adults Hearing Aids - Adults
Why Does Amplification Sometimes Exacerbate Tinnitus?
October 29, 2012
Occasionally I get a patient whose tinnitus worsens with the use of amplification. Why is this? How should I manage these patients? Read More
Hearing Aids - Adults Tinnitus and Hyperacusis
SCAN 3: Screening or Diagnostic Test?
October 29, 2012
Is the SCAN 3 a screening or diagnostic test? Read More
Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD)
High VOR Gain in Rotary Chair Testing
October 22, 2012
What is the significance of high VOR gain with rotary chair testing? I've seen this finding numerous times & I'm not sure what to do with it. Read More
Vestibular Issues and Balance Disorders Electrophysiology
Getting the Most out of LACE
October 22, 2012
Is there any way to better incorporate the LACE (Listening and Communication Enhancement) rehabilitation program into my office, or do I have to refer patients directly online to purchase it? Read More
Aural Rehabilitation and Counseling - Adults Hearing Aids - Adults Practice Management and Professional Issues
Billable Time: Same as Relative Value Units?
October 15, 2012
Can you explain billable time units (BTU) and how they are calculated? Our hospital is moving toward BTU use, but I understand these are not available for audiology at this time. Read More
Practice Management and Professional Issues
Are Larger Hearing Aid Receivers Really Noisier?
October 8, 2012
I've been fitting a lot of receiver-in-canal (RIC) products, and when I have a patient with good low-frequency hearing, I like to use the smaller gain receiver option because I worry about the lar... Read More
Hearing Aids - Adults
What is the Best Way to Bill for VEMP?
October 1, 2012
What is the best way to bill for VEMP? Colleagues have told me that they use a code for a similar procedure such as ABR. Read More
Electrophysiology Practice Management and Professional Issues
ReSound Fitting Tip: Adjusting the Directional Mix
September 30, 2012
For directional programs in Aventa, clinicians have the option of adjusting the Directional Mix (or crossover frequency) between omnidirectional and directional processing. Why and when would they wan... Read More
Hearing Aids - Adults
What are the Options for Hearing Around a Conference Table?
September 24, 2012
What technology is available to help a patient with hearing aids hear better at meetings around a conference table? Read More
Assistive Devices Cochlear Implants Hearing Aids - Adults
Do Middle Ear Prosthetics Affect Caloric Tests?
September 24, 2012
Would a middle ear prosthetic device alter caloric test results? Read More
Vestibular Issues and Balance Disorders Electrophysiology
Can you Recommend an Easy-to-Use Financing Plan I Can Offer my Patients?
September 17, 2012
I am not currently set up to offer financing or payment plan options in my practice, but would like to be. Are there any options you can recommend that do not require much extra time or manpower on my... Read More
Practice Management and Professional Issues
Reimbursement for Tinnitus Treatment
September 10, 2012
Do you have any tips to help maximize our reimbursement for tinnitus treatment and devices? Read More
Practice Management and Professional Issues Tinnitus and Hyperacusis
Pitfalls of Generic Hearing Codes with Diagnostic Procedures
September 10, 2012
Is it true that using the code 389.18 (sensorineural hearing loss, bilateral) with basic comprehensive audiometry (92557) will result in a denial of reimbursement? Read More
Practice Management and Professional Issues
Wireless Streaming: Adjusting Volume
August 27, 2012
How do I control volume when fitting Unite wireless accessories? Read More
Assistive Devices Hearing Aids - Adults
Identifying and Evaluating Vestibular Decompensation
August 20, 2012
I think that the occurrence of vestibular decompensation is often overlooked during balance assessment. What are some guidelines for identifying the presence of decompensation, especially if no previo... Read More
Medical and Surgical Vestibular Issues and Balance Disorders
