FAQ
How is it possible that “Profit ProbeTubes” are so cheap?
The answer to this is very simple: “Because (so far) there is no middleman between the buyer and the producer”. Usually, a producer sells a product to all kinds of wholesalers and the product ends up at the hearing care professional through intermediaries or head offices. All those intermediate stations have to earn something. With us, the hearing care professional buys directly from the manufacturer, because ProbeTubes.com produces the tubes itself in Harderwijk.
How are your probe tubes made?
That’s the secret of the goldsmith. But we can reveal that, after years of experimenting, drawing and trial running, we have managed, by using 3D printing, to develop a number of molds and that the production process is almost entirely manual.
The largest cost item in production costs is therefore personnel costs.
How much production capacity do you have?
At the moment we have one production line with which we could make with a full-time occupation (8 hours per working day) around 300,000 probe tubes per year
What kind of delivery times do you have?
With normal orders we can deliver from stock and an order will be sent, at the latest, by mail the next day.
How long can the tubes be kept?
Provided that they are not stored under pressure, they have an unlimited shelf life (If the hose has been stored pressed for months, it will take several hours for it to return to its original shape).
We maintain a shelf life of 2 years after production date.
What is the difference with other probe tubes that I can buy from various suppliers?
Most of all the price. Other than that, there is not much difference.
The only difference you have to look for is the appearance of the tube, especially the handle and the marker.
Most tubes have a length of approximately 90 mm and an inner diameter
of 0.5 mm.
The hardness of the hose used (the shore) can also differ slightly.
You can safely use almost any probe tube that fits on the connection of your measuring microphone after calibration. In fact, there is little to no difference.
Your probe tubes seem softer than the tubes I used before. Is that right?
We have opted for a hose of 60o shore A. That is the average usual hardness. The hose is therefore soft and safe to use. The disadvantage, however, is that the tube can be pinched off with very tight earpieces. And we are also told that the positioning is a bit difficult because the hose bends quickly.
For that purpose we are currently developing a new model tube that will use a somewhat harder tube.
I have contamination in the tube of my measuring microphone that I have to slide the tube over. How does this pollution arise?
The intended tube is made of very thin metal. It has a wall thickness of ± 0.1 mm and is therefore quite sharp. If the tube is slid on carelessly, a piece can be scraped out of the inside of the tube that remains in the opening. That is the white pollution that you can sometimes see after a long time.
Other contamination that does not come from tubes can also occur, such as dust and sebum.
What should I do if contamination is detected in the tube of my measuring microphone?
Cleaning, of course, because at some point that contamination may become a blockage and calibration will no longer work.
Given the diameter of the tube (0.5 mm), it is easiest to use a thin drill of 0.2 – 0.3 mm. Carefully remove the dirt with a rotating movement of the drill between your fingers. Be careful not to push the contamination backwards and do not go deeper with the drill than the length of the tube.
What is the best tool to use, to clean the opening of a measuring microphone?
For answer, see the previous question.
Such a 0.3 mm drill bit can be obtained from us.
What does the CE marking on your packaging entail?
CE stands for “Conformité Européenne” and means as much as that the product is made according to European directives.
A probe tube falls under the category of “medical device” in European regulations. If you want to manufacture and sell a medical device, you must comply with those regulations. And we do that.
Can you also use a probe tube several times?
No. It is a disposable product that you must throw away after use. Just like an otoscope funnel, a cotton swab, or a tissue. Reuse is not hygienic, risky and undesirable.
Are your hoses sterile in the packaging?
No. According to the guidelines, the hoses must be “clean”. The regulations are equal to otoscope funnels, impression syringe cannulas, cotton swabs. We recommend that you keep the tubes in the zipper bag and throw away used tubes immediately to avoid confusion.
Can I also order larger quantities of hoses than 500 pieces and will the price be even lower then?
Of course you can order as many hoses as you want. But if you want a price for a larger quantity, you need to request a quote at info@probetubes.com .
But we have already given away the largest discount at 500 pieces, so that all hearing care professionals can make use of these types of prices.
Can I also order from abroad?
Yes, that’s possible. It is not for nothing that our website also has an English version. We therefore also try to interest clients abroad in our product.
Can I also buy on account?
All Dutch hearing care professionals can buy on account. Click on the payment option “buy on account” with your order. Clients abroad have to pay online.
How about payment from abroad?
You can pay with all types of payment methods, including iDEAL and credit card
How about VAT abroad?
Within the Netherlands, the VAT is simply charged, which can be reclaimed by the buyer.
For orders from the EU, a valid VAT-number is requested. In that case no VAT is charged.
An exception to this could be England, because for all countries outside the EU we simply charge 21% VAT.