Lightning Enterprises

We have seen an increase in workstation kit sales lately. I think it is because folks are finally realizing what they are, and how they can help with the cost of setting up a new workspace for hearing aid repair and modification.

So, what is a workstation kit? It is the equipment that would be provided with a complete workstation, minus the workbench. In other words, you supply the bench or table, we supply the equipment. And it allows you to set up you workspace in an efficient and organized manner. The centerpiece of the kit is the Control Module. This allows you to put you vacuum pump under your bench where it is quieter and out of the way, and place your desiccator drying chamber somewhere off the bench top if you wish. The CM-3 also controls an UV cure unit and gives it a timer control. This also gives you more flexibility as to where you put the UV unit. We have had a few customers who installed the UV unit inside a drawer, so it was completely out of the way until they needed it.

But, the price is what really makes the Workstation Kits attractive. For instance, our WK-3 Workstation Kit is the most popular, and costs $820.00. Compare that to the versabench complete workstation, which is a high-end bench and uses our WK-3 kit - at $3595.00 (plus freight shipping).

If you have a high-end office and want to give that impression to your patients, then the versabench may make sense, but if you have a repair lab out in the back room, then the Workstation Kit is probably the way to go.

We received an email from a customer recently who is very satisfied with My Vac, a vacuum pump specifically for the consumer for maintaining their own hearing aids. We get emails quite often thanking us for My Vac, but this customer was very specific about how My Vac had helped his hearing aid batteries last longer. Here is the email:

Hi,
Thank you for being in business.
I love My Vac. I want to pass some information on to people about my experience with My Vac.
My batteries last 75% longer. All the while (before I purchased it) I use to replace batteries often, 3 to 4 times a month. Now one battery last a month and longer. Why, by properly cleaning my hearing device, My Vac is awesome. My hearing is much, much, clearer.

Thanks again,
Ron S
Oakdale, California 95361

So, how does keeping your hearing aids clean help your batteries last longer? I will get into that in detail in our next email newsletter, but basically with newer hearing aid electronics, the more amplification needed, the more power is required from the battery. I’ll give you an example. Let’s say your hearing aid sound outlet is partially blocked with earwax. This is going to impede the sound somewhat, so you will need more amplification to overcome this obstruction. So, to compensate you adjust the volume control. In doing so you have called for more gain from the hearing aid amplifier, which will use more power from the battery. It is one of those cause-and-effect things.

Last week I got a call from a hearing aid user who had just got back from an appointment with his hearing health provider. Apparently, he had a problem with one of his hearing aids and he had gone in to see about getting it repaired. This is what he told me in his own words: “I gave the woman my hearing aid. She cleaned it out with a suction device, and in just a few seconds handed it back to me and asked if I needed anything else. I couldn’t believe it, my hearing aid was working fine.”

So he asked where he could get a suction device like the one she used, and she told him to get a vacuum pump from Lightning Enterprises - you get more bang for your buck. So he called and ordered the same model she uses, Lightning Vac 2, which also has a blower.

I know we have that reputation – it’s just nice to hear it once in awhile.

Want to learn more about our Lightning Vac 2 hearing aid vacuum system? Click Here

We distribute a line of UV materials for hearing aid repair and modification, and hearing aid shell fabrication. We carry Dreve materials because we feel they are the best quality, and they provide the most complete line of products.

Recently, Dreve has made changes effecting which colors they will continue providing, and in what quantity. The biggest change is to discontinue the Pink and Dark Brown colors. They feel the Flesh Tone (referred to as Yellowish) is more suitable than Pink, and that there isn’t enough demand for Dark Brown. Here is a list of what will be available:

Shell / Patch material:

Clear: 500g bottles only
Pink: discontinued
Flesh Tone (referred to as Yellowish): 100g and 500g bottles
Tan – Opaque: 500g bottles only
Red Transparent: 100g and 500g bottles
Blue Transparent: 100g and 500g bottles
Brown – Opaque: 500g bottles only
Dark Brown: discontinued

Other material changes:
Fotofix faceplate adhesive will only be available in 20ml bottles. 50ml bottles have been discontinued.

For a complete listing of our UV materials, CLICK HERE.

Now this is a really good fish story – and though it has nothing to do with the hearing aid industry, I think you’ll enjoy it.

Last week, I took a vacation and headed up to Millinocket, Maine for a little fishing. The Eastern Branch of the Penobscot River is known for its fantastic smallmouth bass fishing, and believe me it didn’t disappoint. We caught a lot of fish.

At one point, we made our way up a small stream which flows into the Penobscot because we heard they had been taking larger bass in that area. Anyway, we had made our way up the stream as far as we could go, as it was too shallow to go any further. It was hot and I wanted to get wet before we left for the main river, so we pulled the boat ashore and I went into the water. I was in up to my thighs, just about to go under and I noticed a fish sitting on the bottom right in front of me. I could see it was a sucker, about 18 – 20 inches long, and he wasn’t moving at all – just sitting on the bottom. I slowly worked my way over to the fish, and was standing right beside him – still no movement. I decided to touch the fish with my foot – and when I did he came alive. He JUMPED over my head and landed in the boat! I still can’t believe it! So there he was in the boat, flopping around for dear life. After several attempts I was able to grab him and return him to the water where he left the scene in a hurry.

I have never seen a sucker jump before, and to accomplish that much air from 2 feet of water is just amazing. And landing in the boat was just a big bonus! Hey, I don’t care if you don’t believe me – it really did happen. My fiancée, Kelley, saw the whole thing. I just wish she had the camcorder rolling for Americas Funniest Home Videos.

We just sent out our July Newsletter. The new format we are using seems to be working out well. Last month we began a series of hearing aid repair how-to topics called Tech Corner. We felt there just isn't enough information readily available for hearing industry professionals who want to perform simple hearing aid repairs in the office. You can look at our Tech Corner as Hearing Aid Repair 101. This time we discussed how to close a hearing aid that has been opened. If you want to read the whole article you can find it here, as well as previous articles.

Next newsletter, we are going to discuss how to buff a hearing aid.

I knew this subject would come up eventually. I play in a band, and work actively in the hearing aid industry – two ends of the hearing health spectrum seemingly diabolically opposed to each other. So I’ve received a couple of emails recently, commenting on how bad playing in a band is for my hearing, and how irresponsible it is for me to endorse both concepts in the same sentence.

I started this blog in an attempt to introduce myself as owner of Lightning Enterprises. I wanted folks who do business with our company to have a little more insight into the operation of the company, and also give more personal information about me – who I am and what I like doing. Why I own the company and what makes it tick. Indirectly, we help people hear better, and that gives me great satisfaction. I would never endorse anything that would hurt anybody’s hearing.

I have played in bands at the local level for many years, and that also gives me great satisfaction. Music is marvelous entertainment, and when I play a favorite song, or bring back a memory it is a wonderful feeling. The trick for hearing protection though, is not to play loudly. Many times, musicians try to make up for lack of skill by playing louder – it helps cover up mistakes. And I admit I have played loud before – years ago. But I go for more of a quality sound now, and it pays off. Not only does it make you play better, you save your hearing as well. I can say I have no hearing loss at all after all these years of playing music.

So how loud do we play? I like to play just loud enough that I can barely hear the dancer’s feet shuffle during a slow song, or waltz. That’s about 80db right in front of the speakers.