Automated Hearing Tests

描述（由申请人提供）：该项目将继续听力学公司的开发，验证和商业化努力，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，提供自动化的听力测试，无需训练有素的专业操作人员即可执行。该项目将联合收割机与一个新的硬件平台相结合，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）。 公共卫生相关性：听力损失是最普遍和治疗最不足的健康状况之一。由于人口老龄化，预计从2000年到2050年，听力损失的患病率将从10%增加到12%。随着人口增长，患病率沿着增加，将显著增加未经治疗的美国听力损失患者的数量。未经治疗的听力损失会造成严重的心理健康后果，包括痛苦、躯体化、抑郁和孤独。目前的听力健康提供模型并没有增加以满足当前的需求。随着未满足需求的增加，我们社会的心理健康将受到影响。该项目旨在开发技术，通过减少听力测试的人员、设备、空间和管理费用，增加获得听力健康服务的机会。

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.