Automated Hearing Tests

描述（由申请人提供）：该项目将继续发展、验证和商业化Audiology Incorporated的努力，以开发听力测试产品，提高听力测试的可及性、效率和准确性。这些方法基于行为科学和统计验证，可以提供自动化的听力测试，而不需要训练有素的专业操作员。该项目将几个软件产品与一个新的硬件平台结合起来，该平台将提供一个完整的自动化测试解决方案，可以直接销售给最终用户（如听力学家、医生、助听器专家、护士、教育机构和零售中心）。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This project will continue the development, validation, and commercialization efforts of Audiology Incorporated to develop hearing testing products that will increase access, efficiency, and accuracy of hearing tests. The methods are based on behavioral science and statistical validation to provide automated tests of hearing that can be performed without the requirement for highly trained professional operators. The project will combine several software products with a new hardware platform that will provide a complete automated testing solution that can be marketed directly to end users (such as audiologists, physicians, hearing aid specialists, nurses, educational institutions, and retail centers.) PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Hearing loss is one of the most prevalent and one of the most undertreated health conditions. Prevalence of hearing loss is expected to increase from 10% to 12% from 2000 to 2050 due to the aging population. The increased prevalence along with population growth will significantly increase the number of Americans with untreated hearing loss. There are serious psychosocial health consequences of untreated hearing loss, including distress, somatization, depression, and loneliness. Current hearing health delivery models are not added to meet the current need. As the unmet need increases, the psychosocial health of our society will be impacted. This project is aimed at developing technologies that will increase access to hearing health services by reducing the personnel, equipment, space, and overhead costs of hearing testing.