3DP4ME, Intel & Accenture partner to deliver 3D printed hearing aids in Jordan
Non-profit Organisation 3DP4ME Working with Intel The following are some examples of how to get started: Accenture Jordanian children will soon be able to receive custom-made hearing aids that are 3D printed.
As the trio pilot the project they will take scans of children’s ears before using the data to additively manufacture hearing aids for them. The partners hope to produce hearing aids faster and cheaper with 3D printing.
The goal of the collaboration between the three organisations is to ‘scale this capability to reach thousands in need’ and ‘democratise hearing solutions around the globe.’
“Previous work to provide hearing aids to children included hand-making the custom ear moulds. It was a craft that was labour-intensive, and you could only make four or five hearing aids a day,” commented Jason Szolomayer, founder of 3DP4ME. “There were long wait times, even after the kids were tested. Using 3D printing allows us to scale up the service we provide to families and kids who need hearing aids.”
Intel is also working to ensure seamless integration between personal computers and assistive technologies as they progress with this project. Working with ‘top hearing aid vendors’, Intel is aiming to improve the user experience when connecting hearing aids to laptops. A team in Intel’s Client Computing Group is said to be using Bluetooth LE Audio to enable a direct connection between ‘Engineered for Intel Evo’ verified hearing aids and Intel Evo PCs, and to close the ‘compatibility gap’ that currently limits the ability to use hearing aids on their computers. Hearing aid users are often required to use a dongle, or a dedicated box depending on their computer and hearing aid.
Intel hopes to enable wireless connections between hearing aids (and PCs) to address the need of hearing aid users who want to attend meetings using multiple devices. They can also use captions on separate screens for presentations and wear a headset on top of their hearing aid.
Read More: How EnvisionTEC 3D printing is enabling the mass manufacture of hearing aids
