SBIR Phase I: Evolving Tinnitus Masks

SBIR 第一阶段：不断发展的耳鸣面罩

• 批准号: 0637360
• 负责人: David Fogel
• 金额: --
• 依托单位: NATURAL SELECTION, INCORPORATED
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2007
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2007-01-01 至 2007-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0637360&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: SBIR; Phase; Evolving; Tinnitus; Masks

This Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Phase I research project addresses the problem of tinnitus that afflicts millions of Americans, and millions more internationally. Tinnitus, or "ringing in the ears," is a common and often debilitating ailment with no current cure. A common device used to ameliorate tinnitus is a "tinnitus mask," which provides external audible stimulation to the brain. The brain focuses on this external noise instead of the artificial "ringing" that it is generating. Each person's response is different because tinnitus varies by individual. This project addresses the needs of individual tinnitus sufferers by applying interactive evolutionary computation to discover tinnitus masks that are optimal for the individual, and can adapt to the individual over time. The research objectives include having tinnitus sufferers test prototype software to determine the ease and effectiveness of the program, and to optimize the evolutionary computing that facilitates it. The research will use statistical measures for assessment and will follow accepted protocols for human subjects. The anticipated result is a new technology that can greatly benefit millions of Americans, and millions more internationally, at low cost, with simple distribution using the Internet. It also offers the possibility to advance discovery in addressing tinnitus.This research project has far reaching implications. As many as 13 million Americans suffer significantly from tinnitus, and 50 million Americans are afflicted. There is no current cure for tinnitus, and few options are available, leading to significant market pull. Tinnitus masks can be effective, but effectiveness is limited because each individual case is different. Tinnitus sufferers are often desperate for help, and will spend hours searching the Internet for information. The price of common tinnitus masks ranges from $50 to $250. The commercial value of penetrating the American market at 2 percent of significant sufferers, even when priced at the low end of competitive products, is in excess of $4 million. The software will be delivered easily over the Internet, making distribution costs minimal, and expanding marketing internationally. The potential societal impact is important, both in terms of potential reduced afflictions but also the possibility for reduced medical treatment with less need for calming drugs. By examining commonalities of tinnitus masks evolved for different people, it may be possible to learn more about the properties of effective tinnitus masks, and also more about tinnitus itself.

这个小型企业创新研究（SBIR）第一阶段研究项目解决了困扰数百万美国人和数百万国际耳鸣的问题。耳鸣，或“耳鸣”，是一种常见的，往往是衰弱的疾病，目前没有治愈。耳鸣的治疗方法有哪些？耳鸣的治疗方法有哪些？耳鸣的治疗方法有哪些？大脑专注于这种外部噪音，而不是它所产生的人工“铃声”。每个人的反应是不同的，因为耳鸣因人而异。该项目通过应用交互式进化计算来发现最适合个人的耳鸣面具，并随着时间的推移适应个人，从而满足个人耳鸣患者的需求。研究目标包括让耳鸣患者测试原型软件，以确定程序的易用性和有效性，并优化促进其的进化计算。研究将使用统计方法进行评估，并将遵循人类受试者接受的协议。预期的结果是一项新技术，可以大大造福数百万美国人，以及数百万国际上，以低成本，简单的分配使用互联网。它也提供了可能性，以促进发现解决耳鸣。这项研究项目具有深远的影响。多达1300万美国人患有严重的耳鸣，5000万美国人受到折磨。耳鸣的治疗方法有哪些？耳鸣的治疗方法有哪些？锡口罩可能是有效的，但有效性是有限的，因为每个人的情况是不同的。耳鸣患者经常绝望地寻求帮助，并将花费数小时在互联网上搜索信息。常见耳鸣口罩的价格从50美元到250美元不等。以2%的重要患者进入美国市场的商业价值，即使价格处于竞争产品的低端，也超过400万美元。该软件将通过互联网轻松交付，使分销成本降至最低，并扩大国际营销。潜在的社会影响是重要的，无论是在潜在的减少痛苦方面，还是在减少对镇静药物的需求的情况下减少医疗的可能性方面。通过检查为不同的人进化的耳鸣面具的共性，可以更多地了解有效耳鸣面具的属性，以及更多关于耳鸣本身。