A Low-Cost and Convenient Solution for Hearing Aid Shell Manufacturing

Project SummaryWe propose in this SBIR effort to develop a mobile platform basedlow costyet highly accurateD scanner for audiologists or dispensers to quickly capture ear structure and locally optimize custom fit hearing aid shell design through rapid prototypingHearing loss is the third most prevalent chronic health condition facing seniorsUntreated hearing loss has been shown to lead to physicalsocialemotionaland psychological problemsUnfortunatelyfewer thanpercent of those with hearing loss who require intervention and treatment seek help for their conditionReasons for this grim situation are expensive hearing aid costineffective hearing aid shell fitting optimization processand inadequate centers or offices especially in poor and underserved communitiesThese have in fact generated significant barriers in affordabilityadoptionand accessibility for hearing aid sufferersThe proposed solution will have the following impact and significanceeffectively reduce hearing aid cost through a mobileD imaging frameworksignificantly improve ear shell fitting outcome through localized shell optimization and rapid prototypingprovide more accessible care facilities and better educational influenceand make web based direct customer purchase of custom fit hearing aid a realityHearing loss is a public health issue and is among the leading public health concerns especially for the increasing aging populationApproximatelypercent of American adultsormillion peoplereport some degree of hearing lossAmong American adultsand olderhearing loss is expected to increase frommillion inpercent of adultstomillion bypercent of adultsThe increase will be greatest among older adultsaccording to the researchers from Johns Hopkins Medicine in BaltimoreInpercent of all adults with hearing loss will beor olderInthat rate will jump topercentBefore seeking a hearing aidmost hearing aid users had lived with hearing loss for more thanyears and their impairment had progressed to moderate to severe levelsUndoubtedlythe development of a low cost and ubiquitous mobile platform based hearing aid shell optimization and rapid prototyping method will significantly lower the barriers for the much needed care Project NarrativeThe proposed mobile three dimensional scanner to be developed under this SBIR project will be the first clinical tool that utilizes a mobile device to capture three dimensional ear information for in office customization and rapid prototyping of hearing aids through either impressions or direct outer ear imagingThe unique data acquisition and optimization framework has many advantages over existing practice in the industryGlobal hearing aid market is over $billion and growing with projected annual growth rate ofWe foresee the proposed solution will have a reasonably large market share in this rapidly growing multibillion dollar industryIn additionthe proposed solution can also pave the way for the creation of optimally fitting audio devices for the next generation ofwearablecomputers and smartphones