SBIR Phase I: One Size Fits All, Affordable, Comfortable, Sound Activated, Self-R

描述（由申请人提供）：本研究的重点是生产和测试一种新的充气技术的原型，用于将声音耦合到人耳中，用于助听器。该技术有可能大大降低成本，并通过消除采取耳道印模和制造定制耳模的步骤来增加为患者装配助听器的安全性和便利性。Asius Technologies将建造六个原型设备;这些设备使用助听器扬声器产生的声能来运行一个微型泵（diaphonic pump），该泵在耳朵中膨胀一个气泡以产生密封。对这种类型的设备的初步研究表明，它还可以减少音频疲劳，减少闭塞效应，并提高声音质量。有一个很大的需要，以进一步调查的性能和潜在的好处，这种设备的研究涉及一个统计上显着抽样的客观听众。本研究的主要目标是使用原型设备对范德比尔特大学听力和言语科学系的20名志愿者进行初步研究。本研究将评价原型器械的易用性、闭塞效应、频率响应、耳密封完整性等特性。 公共卫生相关性：发明了一种新型的适用于所有人的可充气助听器耳封。它可能比传统的定制模制助听器配件更实惠，更安全，更舒适，并且音频质量更好。在该项目中，原型设备将在人体上进行测试，以量化性能和舒适度。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This study focuses on the production and testing of prototypes of a new inflatable technology for coupling sound into the human ear, for hearing aids. The technology has the potential to dramatically reduce the cost, and increase the safety and convenience of fitting a pair of hearing aids to a patient by eliminating the step of taking ea canal impressions and fabricating custom earmolds. Six prototype devices will be constructed by Asius Technologies; these devices use the sound energy produced by the hearing aid speakers to run a tiny pump (diaphonic pump), which inflates a bubble in the ear to produce a seal. Preliminary studies on this type of device indicate that it may also reduce audio fatigue, reduce the occlusion effect, and improve the quality of sound. There is a great need to further investigate the performance and potential benefits of this device with a study involving a statistically significant sampling of objective listeners. The primary goal of this study is to usethe prototype devices for a preliminary study on twenty volunteers at Vanderbilt University's Department of Hearing and Speech Science. This study will evaluate the prototype devices for such properties as ease of use, occlusion effect, frequency response, ear seal integrity, and so forth. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: A new type of one-size-fits-all, inflatable ear seal for hearing aids has been invented. It is potentially more affordable, safe, and comfortable than conventional custom molded hearing aid fittings, and the audio quality is better. In this project, prototype devices will be built and tested on human subjects to quantify performance and comfort.