Dr Nik’s Post

What is going to be new for Audiology in 2024? 🤔 Exciting advancements are shaping the future of audiology, at the intersection of policy, technology, and healthcare: 🤖Artificial Intelligence (AI): - AI-powered hearing aids, like Starkey Hearing Genesis AI, and Oticon's Hearing aids enhance speech-in-noise scenarios. - Our Practice Management Software uses AI to suggest hearing loss values, aiding audiologists. ✅ Advanced Hearing Aids: - Hearing aids evolve beyond amplification, integrating Bluetooth, activity tracking, and fall detection. - Companies use apps to connect hearing aids with smart home devices. 🏪 Over-The-Counter (OTC) Hearing Aids: - FDA's OTC hearing aid category disrupts the market, providing cost-effective alternatives. - OTC devices change the audiology landscape, fostering competition and innovation. - Public health initiatives emerge to destigmatize hearing loss, emphasizing global healthcare agendas. And more: https://lnkd.in/ebvZBwAu

FDA Authorizes First Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Software Exciting news! The #FDA has just authorized the first over-the-counter (#OTC) hearing aid software device, and Apple is at the forefront of this innovation. The new Hearing Aid Feature (#HAF) is compatible with versions of #Apple #AirPods Pro, allowing them to double as OTC hearing aids for individuals with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss. This means that users can now adjust and customize their hearing settings directly through their #iOS devices without the need for a medical exam or professional fitting. Apple’s move into the OTC hearing aid space signals a groundbreaking shift in the biotech and health tech industries. As a high-tech leader, Apple is now blending its consumer tech expertise with healthcare solutions, making advanced hearing support more accessible than ever. This is a huge step towards the future, where tech companies are increasingly playing a key role in improving healthcare accessibility and convenience. This innovation is not only a win for the millions of people with hearing loss but also a clear demonstration of the power of tech to drive meaningful change in the healthcare space. I’m excited to see where this trend takes us next! #Innovation #Biotech #HearingAid #Apple #HealthTech #FDA #Healthcare #OTC https://lnkd.in/gJYuQqXH

Do you ever feel your partner/spouse is not listening properly to you? What if I were to tell you that there is a hearing aid that fits snugly and discreetly into the ear and can intuitively recognise a voice you hear most often, such as your spouse's voice, and amplify this over the background noise? How good would that be? This is just one of the latest audiology advances presented last year by Rony Ganguly Director of the Audiology Clinic, Pindrop Hearing. He also explained that as we age, hearing difficulties may be due to a processing problem caused by noise rather than just an issue with our auditory anatomy or physiology. The technology in hearing aids has advanced beyond speech and noise clarity. Studies reveal that the ear is one of the most accurate places to track general health signals. The latest AI hearing aids are not just about improving your hearing. They can also serve as health monitors, tracking your heart rate and even alerting your loved ones in the event of a fall. They function as fitness trackers, similar to a Fitbit, and can even help in the early detection and prevention of dementia. It's a whole new level of assistive technology. Pindrop Hearing are kindly sponsoring the Independent Doctors Federation Spring Symposium on Saturday, May 18th. Click the Link to Register for the Symposium - open to non-members. https://lnkd.in/eE2G4apz #Hearing #AssistiveTechnology #AIHearing #HearingAids #PrivateGP #IndependentHealthcare

In 2018, Researches published a review article in the Healthcare Informatics Research journal about the differences between automated hearing test without an audiologist with the traditional audiometry. The implementation methods were categorized into the use of software (7 papers), hardware (3 papers) and smartphones/tablets (6 papers). The used transducers were a variety of earphones and bone vibrators. Different evaluation methods were used to evaluate the accuracy and the reliability of the diagnoses. The result was, in most studies, no significant difference was found between automated and traditional audiometry. It seems that automated audiometry produces the same results compared with traditional audiometry. However, the main advantages of this method; namely, saving costs and increased accessibility to hearing services, can lead to a faster diagnosis of hearing impairment, especially in poor areas. Join us in our mission to improve and impact hearing health globally. Visit soutinova.com for more information. #innovation #healthtech #audiology #genai #artificialintelligence #hearinghealth #hearinglossawareness # Reference Full article: Automated Audiometry: A Review of the Implementation and Evaluation Methods - PMC (nih.gov)

#Teleaudiology 🎉 Published today in The Hearing Journal, our article describes the development of the National Teleaudiology Guidelines. The guidelines, developed by Audiology Australia and supported by the Australian Government’s Department of Health, aim to address barriers and promote the effective and safe delivery of teleaudiology services. The comprehensive three-phase project involved stakeholder consultation, testing, and implementation, ensuring practicality, evidence-based content, and relevance. 🌐👂 We're proud to contribute to the evolution of audiology practices and enhance accessibility to quality hearing healthcare. Explore the guidelines at https://lnkd.in/gz-n8GC5 🙏Audiology Australia ®, Barbra Timmer, Frances Lockhart, Mark Paton, Jane MacDonald, Steve Williamson, Ashley Wilson AM FAICD, David Allen, Ian Rimes, Elissa Campbell & Emma Laird #HearingHealthcare #AudiologyAustralia #GuidelinesPublication Full article: https://lnkd.in/gUvbyhSD

From the 1400s to today, bone-conduction hearing devices have come a long way! This article explores the fascinating history and technical advancements, shedding light on the challenges faced by users and clinicians. https://lnkd.in/eNtDnmms #ENTAuds #BoneConduction #HearingDevices #History

✨ Spotlight on Audiometers: Essential Tools for Hearing Assessment ✨👂 An audiometer is a crucial device used by doctors to evaluate hearing abilities. This sophisticated instrument plays a vital role in diagnosing hearing loss and ensuring effective treatment. How Does an Audiometer Work? Sound Generation: Audiometers produce pure tones at various frequencies and volumes. Patients wear headphones or insert earphones that deliver these sounds directly to their ears. Response Measurement: During the test, patients indicate when they hear a sound, allowing doctors to determine hearing thresholds and identify any hearing loss. Some Types of Audiometers: Diagnostic Audiometers: These are used in clinical settings for comprehensive assessments, capable of performing various tests, including speech audiometry. Screening Audiometers: Designed for quick assessments, these devices are often used in schools and community health settings to identify individuals who may need further evaluation. Importance of Audiometers: Early Detection: Regular hearing assessments with an audiometer can help catch hearing loss early, leading to timely interventions. Customized Solutions: The data obtained from audiometry tests informs doctors on the best course of action, whether it’s recommending hearing aids or other assistive devices. Audiometers are indispensable tools in the healthcare field, ensuring that individuals receive accurate diagnoses and appropriate care for their hearing health. #Audiometer #Assesment #Audiology #Hearing #Health #Healthcare #Medical #MedicalDevice #Device

As a teleaudiologist there have been some challenges but the future of teleaudiology is exciting for both professionals and patients.

Did you know that by 2030, over 100 crore people worldwide will face hearing loss issues according to a WHO report? Shockingly, more than 2.5 crore people globally either don’t have ears or suffer from hearing loss. Many of them can't afford the high expenses of surgery. Meet Kanishka Patel and Raj Shah, the brains behind WeHear, an innovative audio technology startup. Their flagship product, WeHear OX, is the world’s first "SmartHeadphone" using bone conduction technology, enabling hearing without ears. With expertise in product design, electronics development, and manufacturing, WeHear also offers HearNU, a revolutionary non-surgical Bone-conduction Hearing Aid. Their mission? To lead the hearing care community and provide ear-health-friendly solutions using cutting-edge technology. WeHear offers cost-effective hearing solutions through bone conduction technology, making hearing accessible to all. WeHear OX, their smart headphone device, prioritizes ear health while delivering top-notch sound quality. They asked for ₹ 2.5 Crores for 1% Equity @ ₹250 Crore Valuation. After hearing this valuation all sharks are shocked. However, Peyush Bansal's offer caught their attention: ₹2.5 crores for a 1% equity stake plus 1.5% advisory equity, subject to certain conditions. They sealed the deal with this offer of Peyush Bansal. #innovation #solution #idea #smartheadphone #care #community #earhealth

NOW EAR THIS: It's nice to see Apple sliding into the AgeTech lane with their coming AirPods software update turning the buds into OTC hearables for people with minor hearing loss. Clearly that was the path they were on for years. (Can't wait for them to make regular hearing bionic - but that's another post.) Our Andy Miller recently talked about this with USA TODAY https://lnkd.in/eQastMnZ) Meanwhile in the AgeTech Collaborative™ from AARP ... don't sleep on participants Tuned, which uses AI to customize your own FDA-approved hearing aids; MindMics, whose software uses intravascular soundwaves in the ear canal to capture clinical-grade heartbeat information to provide a more complete picture of your working heart; and, Concha Labs which is helping people hear more clearly through their AI-informed personalization technology - without the need for audiologist appointments and for a fraction of the cost. Get a look at these and nearly 200 other startups in the portfolio in the public version of their profiles here: https://lnkd.in/gntiphuq