{"id":827,"date":"2019-06-14T11:59:16","date_gmt":"2019-06-14T16:59:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hearingsystemsinc.com\/?p=827"},"modified":"2019-07-31T10:54:52","modified_gmt":"2019-07-31T15:54:52","slug":"using-your-smartphone-to-diagnose-hearing-loss","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hearingsystemsinc.com\/using-your-smartphone-to-diagnose-hearing-loss\/","title":{"rendered":"Using Your Smartphone to Diagnose Hearing Loss"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019ve ever had to take your child to a doctor in Houston<\/a> to treat an ear infection, you are well aware of the pain and discomfort this common affliction brings.<\/p>\n

It is the result of fluid buildup in the middle ear, typically diagnosed with a lighted instrument called an otoscope.<\/p>\n

It turns out this go-to medical device fails to detect ear infections about half the time.<\/p>\n

Drawbacks of the Otoscope<\/h2>\n

\"Smartphone<\/p>\n

About two million kids are treated for ear infections in the U.S. every year by hearing specialists.<\/a><\/p>\n

Children are more susceptible because their anatomy is still developing; a narrower Eustachian tube and smaller ear canals increase the risk of fluid buildup and infection.<\/p>\n

A favorite tool of the audiologist, the otoscope is used by physicians worldwide to peek into the ears.<\/p>\n

Its accuracy, however, isn\u2019t as great as you might think.<\/p>\n

According to Justin Chan a University of Washington computer scientist, \u201can otoscope has a 51 percent chance \u2013 a coin flip \u2013 of telling you whether or not there\u2019s fluid in the in the child\u2019s ear.\u201d<\/p>\n

A more accurate diagnosis usually requires advanced diagnostic tools used by an ear, nose and throat doctor.<\/p>\n

Not all parents will make the effort to follow up with a specialist, however.<\/p>\n

Smartphone App For Hearing Loss<\/h2>\n

Fortunately, a new smartphone app may one day eliminate the need.<\/p>\n

Chan and his colleagues at UW examined whether a smartphone app<\/strong> might offer better detection than an otoscope.<\/p>\n

The results<\/a>, published in Science Translational Medicine<\/em>, showed that the app was able to confirm the presence of fluid in the middle ear about 85 percent of the time.<\/p>\n

This figure is far higher than the otoscope and pretty similar to the advanced tools an ENT specialist relies on to make a diagnosis.<\/p>\n

How The Smartphone App Works<\/h3>\n

The app is simple to use for both parents and physicians; it requires nothing more than a small paper funnel (instructions for making this at home are included) and a child who will sit still for just a couple of seconds.<\/p>\n

The funnel is inserted into the outer portion of the ear and will emit a chirping signal; a built-in machine learning algorithm is able to detect whether a sound is produced in response \u2013 a positive sign of an ear infection.<\/p>\n

Chan likens it to tapping on a wine glass. \u201cDepending on whether it\u2019s empty or not,\u201d he explains, \u201cIt\u2019s going to sound different.\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019ll be a while before the smartphone app is available to the general public. The initial sample size of participants was small (98 patients total), so larger studies are needed before a release is scheduled.<\/p>\n

But the early results are encouraging, and the app\u2019s potential could extend beyond merely confirming whether there is fluid buildup in the ear.<\/p>\n

Results could be shared electronically with the child\u2019s pediatrician, who would then make a decision whether or not to send the child to a specialist.<\/p>\n

Chan and his group are hoping the app will be ready in about a year. Once released, both Android and iPhone users will be able to download it.<\/p>\n

For more information on treating ear infections or hearing loss<\/a> or to schedule an appointment for your child, please call your Houston audiologist<\/a> or ear, nose and throat doctor.<\/p>\n

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Related Hearing Loss Posts:<\/h3>\n