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

项目摘要： 我们建议在这个SBIR努力开发一个基于移动的平台，低成本，但高度准确 3D扫描仪，可供听力学家或分配器快速捕获耳朵结构并局部优化定制贴合度 助听器外壳设计通过快速原型。听力损失是第三大最常见的慢性 老年人面临的健康问题。未经治疗的听力损失已被证明会导致身体，社会， 情绪和心理问题不幸的是，只有不到20%的听力损失患者 需要干预和治疗的人寻求帮助。造成这种严峻形势的原因是 助听器成本昂贵，助听器外壳适配优化过程无效， 中心或办公室，特别是在贫困和服务不足的社区。这些事实上已经产生了 助听器的使用和保养是助听器使用者的首要任务。拟议 解决方案将产生以下影响和意义：通过有效降低助听器成本， 移动的3D成像框架;通过局部化的外壳显著改善耳罩适配结果 优化和快速原型设计;提供更方便的护理设施和更好的教育 影响力;并使基于网络的客户直接购买定制助听器成为现实。 听力损失是一个公共卫生问题，尤其是在主要的公共卫生问题之一， 为日益老龄化的人口。大约17%的美国成年人，即3600万人， 报告一定程度的听力损失。在20岁及以上的美国成年人中，听力损失预计将 从2020年的4400万（占成年人的15%）增加到2060年的7350万（占成年人的23%）。 据约翰霍普金斯医学中心的研究人员称， 在巴尔的摩。到2020年，55%的听力损失成年人将在70岁或以上。到2060年， 上升到67%。在寻求助听器之前，大多数助听器使用者都患有听力损失， 超过10年，他们的损害已发展到中度至重度水平。毫无疑问， 基于助听器外壳优化的低成本和普遍存在的移动的平台的开发， 快速成型方法将大大降低急需护理的障碍。

Project Summary: We propose in this SBIR effort to develop a mobile platform based, low-cost, yet highly accurate 3D scanner for audiologists or dispensers to quickly capture ear structure and locally optimize custom-fit hearing aid shell design through rapid prototyping. Hearing loss is the third most prevalent chronic health condition facing seniors. Untreated hearing loss has been shown to lead to physical, social, emotional, and psychological problems. Unfortunately, fewer than 20 percent of those with hearing loss who require intervention and treatment seek help for their condition. Reasons for this grim situation are expensive hearing aid cost, ineffective hearing aid shell fitting optimization process, and inadequate centers or offices especially in poor and underserved communities. These have in fact generated significant barriers in affordability, adoption, and accessibility for hearing aid sufferers. The proposed solution will have the following impact and significance: effectively reduce hearing aid cost through a mobile 3D imaging framework; significantly improve ear shell fitting outcome through localized shell optimization and rapid prototyping; provide more accessible care facilities and better educational influence; and make web based direct customer purchase of custom-fit hearing aid a reality. Hearing loss is a public health issue and is among the leading public health concerns especially for the increasing aging population. Approximately 17 percent of American adults, or 36 million people, report some degree of hearing loss. Among American adults 20 and older, hearing loss is expected to increase from 44 million in 2020 (15 percent of adults) to 73.5 million by 2060 (23 percent of adults).The increase will be greatest among older adults, according to the researchers from Johns Hopkins Medicine in Baltimore. In 2020, 55 percent of all adults with hearing loss will be 70 or older. In 2060, that rate will jump to 67 percent. Before seeking a hearing aid, most hearing aid users had lived with hearing loss for more than 10 years and their impairment had progressed to moderate-to-severe levels. Undoubtedly, the 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.