SBIR-STTR Award

We propose to take our hearing-test device, which was designed to support research in advancing hearing-conservation programs, and ruggedize it for use in theater. Five key challenges that make the commercial-off-the-shelf OAE systems unsuitable for HCPs, will be overcome. We will: 1) implement next-generation otoacoustic emission tests to enable OAE measurements in noise-damaged ears, 2) add smart algorithms designed to detect and monitor early noise damage over time in adults, and that are easy for medics to run and understand, 3) employ multi-faceted noise mitigation strategies, including noise-attenuating headphones and sophisticated noise-rejection algorithms, 4) integrate a new earprobe designed by us that is more rugged and has better acoustical properties than existing probes, 5) ruggedize the device to IP54, protecting against moisture, dust, vibration, and heat. The device will be capable of running a variety of hearing tests including otoacoustic emissions, pure-tone audiometry, and wideband immittance. Smart test batteries will allow medics to determine hearing status after a noise exposure, monitor recovery from noise exposure, hearing screening (including in those not able to respond to a behavioral test), detecting functional hearing loss (malingering), and detecting preclinical hearing loss before it shows on an audiogram.

We propose to take our binaural OtoStat-HCP hearing-test system, which was designed for advanced hearing-conservation programs (HCPs), and ruggedize it for use in theater. OtoStat-HCP includes pure-tone audiometry, otoacoustic emission (OAE), and wideband immittance tests. Commercial-off-the-shelfOAE systems are unsuitable for HCPs, so we will: 1) implement next-generation OAE tests to enable quality measurements in noise-damaged ears, 2) add smart algorithms to detect and monitor early noise damage in adults, and that are easy for medics to run and understand, 3) use FPL calibration to improve validity and reliability at high frequencies, 4) employ multi-faceted noise mitigation strategies, including noise-attenuating headsets and sophisticated noise-rejection algorithms, 5) integrate a new earprobe designed by us that is more rugged and has better acoustical properties, 6) ruggedize the device to IP54, protecting against moisture, dust, vibration, and heat. Smart test batteries will allow medics to determine hearing status after a noise exposure, monitor recovery from noise exposure, hearing screening (including in those not able to respond to a behavioral test), detect functional hearing loss, and detect preclinical hearing loss with OAEs before it shows on an audiogram. The device is readily expandable to other hearing tests.