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New imaging device improves ear disease diagnosis

A new imaging device that combines optical coherence tomography (OCT) with traditional otoscopy improves diagnostic capabilities for hearing clinics. The integrated device provides detailed views of the eardrum and middle ear, enabling more accurate diagnoses and treatment.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Biomedical Optics·DateAug 23, 2024

Implantable microphone could lead to fully internal cochlear implants

Researchers at MIT and Mass Eye and Ear have developed an implantable microphone that performs as well as commercial external hearing aid microphones. The tiny sensor measures miniscule movements on the underside of the ear drum using a biocompatible piezoelectric material, overcoming a major challenge in fully internal cochlear implants.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateJul 2, 2024
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

New AI smartphone tool accurately diagnoses ear infections

A new cellphone app developed by physician-scientists uses artificial intelligence to accurately diagnose ear infections in young children, reducing unnecessary antibiotic use. The AI tool is more accurate than trained clinicians and offers a simple solution for healthcare providers.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateMar 4, 2024

Chronic childhood ear infections delay language development

A new study from University of Florida scientists reveals that chronic ear infections can lead to deficits in auditory processing and language development in children years later. Children with multiple ear infections before three years old had smaller vocabularies and difficulty matching similar sounding words.

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalInternational Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 3, 2024

Creating a blueprint for optimized ear tubes and other implantable fluid-transporting devices

Researchers have developed a new ear tube design that combines liquid-infused materials with optimized geometry to improve treatment outcomes for patients with ear infections. The design enables better performance and reduces complications such as impaired hearing and scarring of the eardrum.

SourceWyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 5, 2023
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

New study shows spiders use webs to extend their hearing

Researchers at Binghamton University discovered that orb-weaving spiders use their webs as extended auditory arrays to capture sounds, allowing them to detect prey and predators. The study found that the spiders can respond to sound levels as low as 68 decibels and localize sound sources with 100% accuracy.

SourceBinghamton University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 29, 2022

Surprising hearing talents in cormorants

Researchers discovered that cormorants have adapted their ears for excellent underwater hearing, surprising given they spend most of their time on land. The ear structure's modifications enable the birds to detect sound pressure in both air and water with similar sensitivity.

SourceUniversity of Southern Denmark·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateApr 1, 2020

First smartphone app that can hear ear infections in children

A new smartphone app has been developed to detect fluid buildup in the middle ear, a common cause of ear infections in children. The app uses machine learning to analyze sound waves and determine the likelihood of fluid presence, showing promise as a quick and non-invasive screening tool.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateMay 15, 2019
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

New imaging tool captures how sound moves through the chinchilla ear

Researchers developed an OCT-based imaging tool to visualize how sound-induced vibrations travel through the ear. The technology provides new insight into hearing and could inform diagnosis and treatment of hearing problems. The instrument measures tiny vibrations within the ear, allowing for precise measurements at over 10,000 points.

SourceOptica·JournalBiomedical Optics Express·DateOct 17, 2018

When the eyes move, the eardrums move, too

Researchers at Duke University discovered that moving the eyes triggers vibrations in the eardrums, even without sound. This finding provides new understanding of how the brain coordinates visual and auditory information.

SourceDuke University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 23, 2018
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Researchers sound out scaffolds for eardrum replacement

Researchers have created complex scaffolds that mimic the human eardrum's intricate network of collagen fibres. These scaffolds could potentially replace damaged eardrums, reducing the need for surgical reconstruction using patient tissue.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalBiofabrication·DateMay 7, 2015
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Look mom, no eardrums!

The eardrum evolved independently in mammals and diapsids, depending on lower jaw formation in mammals and upper jaw development in diapsids. The study used developmental biology techniques to overcome the lack of fossil evidence for eardrum evolution.

SourceRIKEN·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 22, 2015

Canal between ears helps alligators pinpoint sound

Researchers discovered that alligators use air-filled channels in their ear canal to amplify pressure differences, allowing them to pinpoint the source of sounds. This mechanism is similar to birds' interaural canals and may be an evolutionary adaptation from dinosaur ancestors.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateMar 26, 2014

Nanoscale 'tsunami' helps locusts tune in

Researchers discovered that locusts use a unique mechanism to process sound, with energy density amplified as waves travel across the eardrum. This phenomenon could lead to practical possibilities for tiny microphones and signal processing.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·DateNov 5, 2013
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

New technology optimizes ear infection diagnosis and management

A new smartphone-enabled otoscope attachment and app has been shown to accurately diagnose acute otitis media (ear infections) in children. The device provides high-quality video images of the ear drum, allowing for better understanding of the child's diagnosis and treatment.

SourceAmerican Academy of Pediatrics·DateOct 28, 2013

Nowhere to hide: New device sees bacteria behind the eardrum

A new medical imaging device has been developed to diagnose and treat chronic ear infections by detecting biofilms behind the eardrum. The device uses optical coherence tomography and can identify biofilms in patients with chronic infections, but not those with normal ears.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 29, 2012

A middle-ear microphone

Researchers have created a tiny, prototype middle-ear microphone that can be implanted in the ear to avoid problems with current cochlear implants. The device has been successfully tested in cadavers and aims to reduce size and improve sound detection abilities for future human testing.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalIEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering·DateApr 29, 2012
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Revolutionary surgical technique for perforations of the eardrum

A new surgical technique called HAFGM has been developed to treat eardrum perforations in children and adults, offering an effective alternative to traditional methods. The procedure can be performed in 20 minutes at an outpatient clinic without general anesthesia, making it more accessible and cost-effective.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalArchives of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery·DateJan 16, 2012

Sound safety

Engineers at Asius Technologies create a device that seals the ear canal, boosting sound pressures and alleviating listener fatigue. The technology uses a sacrificial membrane to absorb pressure waves, protecting the ear drum and preventing over-activation of the acoustic reflex.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·DateMay 13, 2011

Study: Cotton swabs prove problematic for ear health

A study by Henry Ford Hospital found a direct association between cotton swab use and ruptured eardrum. In most cases, the rupture heals within two months without surgery, but in severe cases, surgical intervention is necessary to repair the eardrum.

SourceHenry Ford Health·DateApr 28, 2011
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Ear tubes appear safe for children with cochlear implants

A study found that ear tubes do not increase the risk of complications in children with cochlear implants. The authors suggest that ear tube management does not adversely affect outcomes in pediatric ears. The study included 78 ears from 62 children, with no cases of meningitis or removal of cochlear implants due to infection.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery·DateJun 21, 2010

Study: Roller coasters linked to common ear injury

A new study links roller coaster-induced acceleration to a common ear injury called barotrauma. The researchers recommend passengers remain facing forward during the ride to minimize exposure to pressure changes. Ear barotrauma can cause temporary hearing loss, dizziness, and discomfort.

SourceHenry Ford Health·DateApr 30, 2010

UCLA scientists discover ultrasonic communication among frogs

Researchers found a new frog species, Huia cavitympanum, with eardrums recessed in the skull, allowing it to detect and produce high-frequency ultrasounds. The frogs use both audible and ultrasonic calls for communication, which may have implications for improving human hearing aids.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMay 8, 2009
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Ultrasonic frogs can tune their ears to different frequencies

Researchers discovered an unusual frog species that can actively select sound frequencies, tuning in to specific sounds like a radio. The 'Odorrana tormota' frog's eardrums respond differently depending on the Eustachian tubes' opening state, allowing it to filter out background noise and focus on ultrasonic calls.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 21, 2008

Prehistoric jawbone reveals evolution repeating itself

Paleontologists discovered a prehistoric jawbone that suggests the transformation of bones from the jaw into middle ear bones occurred at least twice in living mammal lines. The evidence supports independent origins of this adaptation in monotremes and placentals, contradicting previous doubts.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalScience·DateFeb 10, 2005
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.