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型充气技术的原型，用于将声音耦合到助听器的人耳中。这项技术有可能大幅降低成本，并通过消除耳道印模和制造定制耳模的步骤，提高为患者安装助听器的安全性和便利性。Asius Technologies将制造6台原型设备；这些设备利用助听器扬声器产生的声音能量来运行一个微小的泵（复音泵），它在耳朵里膨胀一个气泡来产生密封。对这类设备的初步研究表明，它还可以减少音频疲劳，减少遮挡效应，提高声音质量。有很大的需要进一步调查该设备的性能和潜在的好处，研究涉及客观听众的统计显著抽样。这项研究的主要目标是将原型设备用于范德比尔特大学听力和言语科学系的20名志愿者的初步研究。本研究将评估原型装置的易用性、遮挡效果、频率响应、耳封完整性等特性。

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.