Transcript of Thinklabs One Digital Stethoscope podcast

Host:  Welcome to Independent Perspective, a public affairs presentation of Western New York Independent Living (WNYIL). Our guest today is Kimberly Naus, Director of the University at Buffalo’s Center for Assistive Technology and your host is yours truly Ernie Churchwell. Welcome back to the program Kim.

Guest:  Hi, Ernie. Thank you for having me.

Host:  And as always, because it gives people the overlay of the big picture, you're here because of the TRAID program, if you could mention what that is.

Guest:  Yes, the TRAID Program, TRAID is an acronym for Technology Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities. It's a federally funded program, and there are 12 centers throughout New York State. We oversee Western New York which includes Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans, and Wyoming County. The TRAID program enables people to be educated on various assistive devices, where we can demonstrate devices, we can provide them with referral information, awareness of training, advocacy, and also the wide range of devices we have available for loan which is free by filling out a simple demographic form. This all starts with calling and scheduling an appointment.

Host:  All right, and since all these things that you work with, are intended to help people with disabilities function more independently, that's certainly something my agency can get behind. As always, though, you have a piece of cutting-edge technology to inform our listeners about. What is the advantage of the One Digital Stethoscope?

Guest:  The One Digital Stethoscope is an amazing device. If you are a professional in the medical field, and you know, God forbid, you come up with a hearing impairment or as we get older, our hearing you know becomes a little less. This device will enable you to listen with the amplification of 100 times the normal stethoscope. It's a product of electrical engineers’ obsession in improving the acoustics of a stethoscope. It fits in the palm of your hand. It is a Bluetooth device. So therefore, if you have a Bluetooth headset and you pair with the stethoscope as I mentioned, it will amplify 100 times and the frequency is much clearer. It's ideal. As I mentioned, for health professionals with a hearing loss it can be connected directly to hearing aid streamers or it could just be a headset, or it also works with cochlear implants. And it's ideal for a loud chaotic environment which we know you know; in some medical situations it can get a little chaotic and it's fully adjustable.

Host:  By the way, I found the name of the company that produces the stethoscope intriguing. What is it again?

Guest:  That is called Thinklabs.

Host:  What you would imagine that that would be something that all labs would do even without that being their names.

Guest:  Yes. It's so like one of the headsets for an example that could be used could be a Jabra Bluetooth headset that could work in conjunction with the stethoscope.

Host:  Wonderful. I'm sure that there's a process and if you could you remind listeners or brand-new listeners, what people should do if they're interested in this device.

Guest:  If you are interested in seeing this device, I know many times touching it, trying it. We actually just had a client with a hearing impairment that did have the ability to try it and was just so excited because you know, it's a young lady that's going to school to be a nurse. And with the hearing impairment this has been a problem. So, to reach us they can call 836-1168. Can't forget the area code now 716-836-1168 and we can schedule an appointment and also brainstorm over the phone.

Host:  Thanks for everything you're doing and for being with us this week.

Guest:  Thank you Ernie. Have a wonderful day.

Host:  You too. You've been listening to Independent Perspective, a public affairs presentation of WNYIL. Our guest today was Kimberly Naus, Director of the University at Buffalo’s Center for Assistive Technology and your host was yours truly Ernie Chruchwell.