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
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
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
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
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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
Researchers developed assistive devices to streamline ear reconstruction surgery, minimizing tissue waste and operating time. The tools use 3D manufacturing to precision-cut rib cartilage, enabling a faster, more accurate process with better outcomes.
SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalFacial Plastic Surgery·DateSep 15, 2022
A machine-learning model developed at Mass Eye and Ear accurately diagnosed pediatric ear infections at a rate 30 percent higher than doctors surveyed. The model achieved 95% accuracy in diagnosing an ear infection from test images, surpassing the average clinical accuracy of 65%.
SourceMass Eye and Ear·JournalOtolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery·TypeImaging analysis·DateAug 31, 2022
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
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Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.
Researchers found that frog lungs reduce sensitivity to environmental noise, making it easier for females to zero in on male calls. The unique sound pathway allows sounds from air-filled lungs to transmit to middle ears through a specific mechanism.
SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMar 4, 2021
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
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
Researchers at Binghamton University have found that Aedes aegypti mosquitoes can use their antennae to detect sounds from surprisingly far away, with some frequencies important for human speech.
SourceBinghamton University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateFeb 7, 2019
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.
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
Case Western Reserve University researchers achieve cat-like 'hearing' with a device tens of trillions of times smaller than the human eardrum, enabling ultralow-power communications and sensory devices with greater detection ranges.
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
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A young man ruptured his throat by trying to contain a forceful sneeze with a dangerous maneuver. Doctors advise against blocking both nostrils when sneezing due to risks of air bubbles in chest tissue and muscle perforation.
The study found that Ormia's mechanically-coupled hearing system prevents it from using spatial release from masking, which improves signal detection in noisy environments. This limitation affects the fly's ability to navigate complex situations and may have implications for developing artificial sensors.
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
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.
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A study by Mass Eye and Ear found that blast-related ear injuries caused significant morbidity in Boston Marathon bombing survivors. The researchers reported high rates of hearing loss, tinnitus, and dizziness-related quality of life impairment among the patients.
SourceMass Eye and Ear·JournalOtology & Neurotology·DateNov 14, 2014
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
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.
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.
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
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.
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
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
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.
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.
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
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.
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.
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
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
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
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A University of Minnesota study found that ear problems decreased significantly over time after ear tube placement for children with otitis media with effusion (OME). The annual incidence of ear problems was highest during the first three to five years, but declined thereafter.
SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalArchives of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery·DateMay 19, 2003