Month: July 2015

Research on visual impairment

How they work

Completely-in-canal hearing aids (CIC) are some of the smallest hearing aid models available today. CICs are a great option for those with mild to moderate-severe hearing loss who are looking for a discreet hearing aid solution.

Depending on the size and shape of your ear, a CIC hearing aid can fit deep inside the ear canal, making it almost invisible. All Widex CIC hearing solutions are fully automatic – so you can hear clear and natural sounds with minimal or no intervention. CIC hearing aids can be removed via a small extension cord.

DREAM CIC-MICRO: A newest – and smallest – CIC on the block

The idea of putting something so small in your ear for the first time may sound daunting – so here is an easy guide to how it works:

  • Custom-made shell: The hearing aid shell is custom-made to fit the shape of your ear – with all vital electronics inside. This shell is actually created using a 3D printing technology called CAMISHA . A hearing professional will use laser technology to make an impression of your ear canal and turn this data into a 3D computer model. A shell is then created for you for an exact fit.
  • Fit and placement: Completely-in-canal hearing aids fit in your ear, with only the faceplate visible from the outside. The custom-made shell allows for an exact fit – so it sits comfortably in your ear.
  • Removal: When it’s time to go to sleep, completely-in-canal hearing aids can easily be taken out by hand.

Batteries: Batteries must be installed via a battery door located directly on the hearing aid. This can be done by hand or by using a small magnetic wand.

Why they are great

  • Very small size – no bigger than a marble
  • Discreet –  they fit inside your ear and can easily be hidden by your hair
  • Fully-automatic – automatically adjusts to your listening needs.

Who should use them

Completely-in-canal hearing aids (CIC) are suitable for all types of hearing loss. They’re especially great for athletes and others who need their hearing aids to stay in their ears during intense physical activity.

(http://blog.widex.com/post/99891835313/complete-in-canal-cic-hearing-aids-how-they-work)

Cost

Completely-in-the-canal (CIC) hearing aids are the smallest on the market. They fit entirely in the ear canal, and cost between $150 and more than $5,000. Facelake[4] offers a basic CIC hearing aid for under $150. Siemens offers a CIC version of the Nitro 16, for about $5,000. (http://health.costhelper.com/hearing-aids.html)
Battery

6 x 1.45 volt Zinc-Air. 100mAh special battery for CIC hearing aids cost around SGD 3-7

 

Research on Hearing Loss

Hearing Impairment in Developing Countries

The World Health Organisation estimates that a staggering 50% of hearing impairment can be prevented.

Hearing impairment can have disastrous impact on the development of speech, communication, learning and social integration. Appropriate intervention is essential for children to have a chance in life. Without auditory rehabilitation, hearing impaired and deaf children in developing countries are routinely abandoned.

In developing countries, millions of hearing impaired children do not have hearing aids or rehabilitation support. In contrast, Australian children with hearing loss receive complete rehabilitation support, including free hearing aids. In 1995, the World Health Organisation estimated that there were at least 120 million people in the world with a disabling hearing impairment of which 78 million were in developing countries.

This report also showed that in South-East Asia, 25 million people were estimated to have a disabling hearing impairment, of which approximately 2.5 million were children aged under 18 years.

 

Overview

Hearing loss occurs when there is a problem with one or more parts of the ear. In air conduction, sound waves travel through the external ear canal to vibrate the eardrum. Vibration of the eardrum is transmitted to the hearing organ (cochlea) via three small bones (ossicles) in the middle ear. This stimulates the sensory cells in the cochlea which then sends impulses to the hearing nerve (auditory nerve) and on to the brain.

Hearing by bone conduction occurs when sound waves cause the bones of the skull to vibrate which directly stimulate the hearing organ (cochlea) resulting in hearing.

Causes

There are 2 types of hearing loss :

Conductive Hearing Loss occurs when sound waves cannot be transmitted properly from the external environment to the cochlea. The problem could lie in the external ear canal, eardrum, middle ear bones or middle ear space.

Common Causes of Conductive Hearing Loss include :

  • Obstruction in the external ear canal caused by wax, foreign body or infection (otitis externa).
  • Perforated eardrum – usually a result of trauma or chronic infection.
  • Dislocated, damaged or fi xed ossicles (malleus, incus, or stapes) – from trauma or chronic diseases that erode the ossicles over time or otosclerosis that cause the ossicles to be fixed.
  • Otitis media – a middle ear infection, usually with fl uid in the middle ear space.

Sensorineural Hearing Loss occurs when there is damage to the hearing organ (cochlea) or hearing nerve (auditory nerve).

Common causes include:

  • Ageing (presbycusis)
  • Acute and chronic exposure to loud noise can cause damage to the sensory cells in the cochlea.
  • Infections of the inner ear by viruses and bacteria such as mumps, measles and infl uenza.
  • Ménière disease – a disease that causes tinnitus, hearing loss and dizziness.
  • Acoustic neuroma – a tumour of the vestibular nerve, which lies in close proximity to the auditory nerve and affects its function.
  • Ototoxic drugs – Some drugs can damage the nerves involved in hearing or the sensory cells in the cochlea. Examples include:

i. Antibiotics including aminoglycosides (gentamicin, vancomycin),
ii. Diuretics including frusemide
iii. Antineoplastics (cancer drugs)

Symptoms

  • Hearing loss may be gradual or sudden and can affect one or both ears.
  • The affected person usually complains of diffi culty in holding a normal conversation, especially in a noisy environment. There may be complaints from others around that the person does not respond when called or speaks louder than normal.
  • There may be associated symptoms like tinnitus (ringing in the ears) or vertigo (spinning sensation).
  • Pain and discharge from the ear is often associated with ear infections.

Prevention

Noise-induced hearing loss is usually irreversible and progresses with each exposure. People who work with heavy machinery or in the construction industry should use proper ear protection when working around loud noises, especially when working for prolonged periods. They should also undergo regular hearing tests to ensure that their hearing is not worsening.Youngsters should not use earphones or visit discotheques.

Diagnosis

A complete history, ENT examination and relevant investigations are necessary for a diagnosis. The ENT physician will perform a thorough head and neck examination, particularly of the ear canal and tympanic membrane. An endoscopic examination of the nose and nasopharynx may also be necessary. Occasionally, a neurologic examination will be done.

A hearing test (audiogram) will be performed to confirm the presence and indicate the severity and type of hearing loss. A tympanogram may also be performed to detect problems of the eardrum and middle ear. Radiological imaging studies such as CT scans or MRIs (magnetic resonance imaging) may be ordered to detect an acoustic neuroma.

Treatment

Medical
Medical treatment depends on the underlying problem. Treatment may range from observation and reassurance to medications and a discussion on surgical options. If the cause of hearing loss is due to wax and foreign body in the ear canal, it can be removed under a microscope by the ENT surgeon.

In cases of external ear infections, topical antibiotic is needed. If there is an eardrum perforation, the underlying infection has to be treated. Surgical repair of the ear perforation may be necessary if the perforation persists for more than three months or there is a problem of recurrent ear infections with ear discharge. If the cause of the hearing loss is due to medication, the medication will be stopped or changed.

For presbycusis (hearing loss due to old age) no treatment is needed although the affected individual will be advised to protect his hearing and evaluated on whether hearing aid help is needed.

Hearing Aids
Conventional hearing aids are amplification devices that detect environmental sounds and present and amplify them into the external ear canal. They are useful for both conductive as well as sensorineural hearing loss. The modern aids vary from very small completely-in-the-canal to the traditional behind the ear hearing aids. A trained audiologist will help customise the hearing aid for optimal sound.

The side effects from wearing hearing aids include occlusion effect (sense of blockage of the ear), feedback and a propensity for ear infections.

Hearing Implants
With advances in technology, implants to aid hearing have been developed. Two main types of surgical implants are available. Middle ear implants are used in people who have tried hearing aids but are unable to use them or fail to benefit from them. It can be used for those with sensorineural hearing loss and conductive hearing loss. It comprises of a transducer that is attached to the ossicles or directly to the round window (part of the cochlea). It vibrates the middle ear structures and amplifies the transmission of sound.

Cochlear implants are used in someone with moderate to severe sensorineural hearing loss. The ENT surgeon will insert the electrical electrode of the implant directly into the cochlea and directly stimulate the nerve endings in the cochlea so as to bypass any problem in the cochlea. Cochlear implants are used in both paediatrics and adults.

https://www.singhealth.com.sg/PatientCare/ConditionsAndTreatments/Pages/Hearing-Loss.aspx

 

The most expensive part of a hearing aid is the battery, which needs to be continually replaced.

 

US data

 

Existing products

At the 2015 International CES, Siemens unveiled smart hearing aids.

  • Highly intelligent. They’re the only hearing aids clinically proven to deliver better than normal hearing places like  busy restaurants and cocktail parties.*
  • The ability to adapt. Whether you are driving a car, playing golf in the wind, at a concert or restaurant, our smart hearing aids automatically detect and adapt to that environment. No manual adjustments required.
  • Interactive. Smart hearing aids  work with both iOS and Android™ devices, transforming hearing aids into your own high-definition personal headset.

https://usa.bestsoundtechnology.com/ces/

210715_Research

From the website Fabrizio gave http://www.designother90.org/ , I observed that more projects are dealing with energy and water.

Energy related projects is usually solved using solar energy. It does incur ‘high’ start up cost but with collaboration with companies, the poor people do not have to pay for anything. The solution of solar panel is easy and direct, and it may be the best solution for energy or electricity problem.

I think, I would be more focus on energy problem as I have had a project with solar panel too.

Interesting projects using solar panels from this website would be:

http://www.designother90.org/solution/solar-aid/

http://www.designother90.org/solution/sierra-portable-light-project/

 

http://www.kickstart.org/products/moneymaker-hip-pump/ is catered more for agricultural countries.

Other energy related project

http://www.designother90.org/solution/bicycle-phone-charger/

 

The next step that I should take is to determine the target group and the place and do more research about this. I may look on Singapore context as it will definitely help the research process.