PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDSEATTLE WA

PERMIT NO. 2222

10564 5th Avenue NE, #203

Seattle WA 98125

206-367-1345

info@northgatehearing.com

Northgate Hearing Services, Inc.

Hearing Aid Functionality

Announcements

www.northgatehearing.com February 2012

10564 5th Avenue NE, #203

Seattle WA 98125

206-367-1345

info@northgatehearing.com

10564 5th Avenue NE Suite 203 Seattle, WA 98125

Return Service Requested

The functionality of your hearing devices is critical in order for you to hear to the best of your abilities. It is important to remember that hearing devices are tiny computers that are worn on the body for many hours, every day of the year, yet, they need to function up to their specifications at all times. Even when hearing devices are well cared for, they are subjected to constant environmental factors with every day use. The manufacturer of your hearing device puts each new product through several extreme tests to identify and address any potential problem areas to help ensure quality, performance and reliability for years to come. Hundreds of hours are invested in the design, choice of materials and testing to ensure a well-made device. Below are some of the tests that new products must pass before they are put on the market. Keep in mind that every manufacturer develops their own tests and not every manufacturer will perform all of the tests below.

The Sweat TestThe instruments are placed in a hot climate chamber and exposed to fine salt mist. This simulates the long term effects of sweat.

The Damp Heat TestThe instruments are exposed to 104°F with 93% humidity for up to 3 weeks. This simulates conditions in a hot and humid climate.

The Temperature Swing TestThe instruments are exposed to large swings in temperature from -13°F to 131°F.

Product ExposureThe instruments are exposed to common products such as hair spray and sun lotion

UV TestThe instruments are held in a special UV chamber. This tests what happens to them when exposed to long periods of sunlight.

The Drop TestThe instruments are dropped from several different heights or struck from different angles. This simulates the common event of dropping your instrument.

Torsion / Pressure TestThe instrument is tested to verify it can be twisted or squeezed to a certain extent under normal use.

The Dust TestThe instruments are placed in a dust chamber. This verifies that dust and debris do not enter the hearing device or clog the microphone ports.

Water Immersion TestThe instruments are temporarily immersed in water for up to 30 minutes. This simulates accidentally getting your hearing instruments wet.

Monday - Thursday 9:00A - 5:00P

Friday10:00A - 2:00P

Closed for Lunch 12:00P - 1:00P Daily

OFFICE HOURS:

Please be Patient!!No, we aren’t doing any construction within the office, but we are making major changes to our office medical record system.

We are upgrading our system to improve our office efficiency and meet the new guidelines for online claims submissions. As with any new system, there can be roadblocks or hiccups, but we hope to have these ironed out quickly. Initially, you may notice that it takes a few more moments on the phone to set up an appointment. We may also ask you to verify your personal information. While much of this data transferred seamlessly and we do expect an easy transition, we’ve learned to expect the unexpected!

Your referrals are the key to our business! Do you know someone who needs their hearing checked?

Have them give us a call!

Give someone you love the gift of hearing.

Happy Valentines Day!!

Continued on page 2

We

)

Love

Referrals

A note from…

Northgate Hearing Services, Inc.

www.northgatehearing.com February 2012

Northgate Hearing Services, Inc.

www.northgatehearing.com February 2012

Amy: What a fun holiday season! Having young kids sure keeps the holiday magic alive! This year we had extra reason for our family and friends to celebrate. In September, I was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer. After a couple major surgeries, I was deemed cancer free. I am just starting radiation, and

expect to be done with this in early March. I have shared my struggle with a few of you since my diagnosis, and have received such wonderful feedback and support. It’s truly amazing how many of you have been touched personally by cancer. The stories of your struggles and recovery have meant quite a bit. Breast cancer touches one in eight women. While it stinks to be in this group, I do feel fortunate. Fortunate to be a survivor, fortunate to have friends and family that jumped in to care for me after my surgeries, and fortunate to have a fabulous work family that have provided me more care and love than I can ever thank them for!

Lori: All recovered from the snow and looking forward to seeing the bulbs start peeking up from the soil soon. They are such beacons of spring. Hope you survived the snow and wind as well! My husband I did have a chance to sneak down to Hawaii between Thanksgiving and Christmas for a taste of sun.

It is always so odd to see banks of poinsettias growing wild but very nice, especially during the holiday season. We snorkeled several times, visited a botanical garden (my favorite part!) and took a helicopter ride over Kauai, which was spectacular. It made me want to learn more about photography to do it justice. We are enjoying more freedom as both of our boys are now at WSU, one a freshman and one to graduate in May. He is deep in the resume/interview process and has that optimism you love to see!

Ashley: Well it seems that we are just about mid-way through winter! Hopefully our snow has come and gone. I enjoyed it while it was here but now I am ready for spring! I love to see Crocus and other early bloomers peeking their way up through the winter soil. This year I have promised myself that I will create a Dahlia garden. I have

awhile before I need to get that ready but I am already anticipating the great variety that Dahlias bring! I will let you know how it is going as we approach summer!

Larci: Happy New Year to all! We are looking forward to a great 2012. I think it will be a busy but fun spring and summer. If you can believe it we are starting to look at colleges for Veronica! She is half-way through her junior year and already the planning has begun! It doesn’t seem possible. In mid-February she is headed to Paris

with her French class. While she is away Mike and I will be taking a quick trip to Nevada to see family. I hope the weather cooperates with our travel plans. Enjoy the rest of the winter!

Catherine: Happy New Year! I hope 2012 brings good health and joy to all of you. We started out the New Year with our annual trip to Pt. Townsend. We stay in the officers’ houses at Ft. Warden. “We” are a group of 7 families who met in college and started this trip 20 years ago. We started without kids, and then brought

toddlers, teenagers and now we try to bring the kids home from college or just go as empty nesters. Food, games, visiting and lots of walks along the beach are the agenda. It always feels good to reconnect with old friends. It is a great place for a reunion or getaway. So the New Year is off to a good start! Hope it is for all of you. Take care.

News You Can Use

Insurance Corner

We are working to expand the number of insurances we currently accept. Although we may not yet participate with all insurances, we have found that many insurance companies will pay the expected amount toward hearing devices whether or not we are in their network. As always, we encourage you to call your insurance company to check your benefits before coming in. You may get a pleasant surprise!

For our Medicare patients...Medicare will cover hearing evaluations if your primary physician orders the test to help confirm a medical diagnosis, or if you are reporting a change in hearing or other ear symptom. Hearing testing for the purpose of purchasing or modifying your hearing aids is statutorily excluded from coverage. If you notice significant change in your hearing status, you may want to consult your primary care doctor. If your physician feels a hearing test is medically necessary, they will need to provide you with a written order. Bring this written order (referral) for testing along with you to your appointment. Please check with our office prior to your appointment if your physician states that he/she will fax it to us. Federal regulations currently prohibit us from requesting this referral on your behalf. Without an order, you will be required to pay for testing at the time of service.

Despite all the tests that are performed on new products to verify reliability, we all know that hearing devices break down occasionally. At Northgate Hearing Services, most hearing devices are dispensed with a three year repair warranty. This is an additional year over what most manufacturers offer. Additionally, if your hearing device needs to be sent to the manufacturer for repair, we will do our best to provide you with a complimentary loaner instrument. Here are some tips that will help keep your devices in good working order. Do not get your instruments wet, despite the water immersion test. If it is raining, wear a hat or use an umbrella.

Remove your instruments before applying hair products.

Make sure your hands are reasonably clean before handling your instruments.

Brush off the microphone ports daily.

Purchase a dehumidifier and store you instruments in it nightly.

Come see us for your Check & Clean appointment every 6 months! These are usually complimentary per most warranty plans and go a long way toward reducing costly repairs.

Continued from page 1

•

•••••