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Mar 23, 2023New Lab Prints 3D Custom Earmolds for Pediatric Hearing Aids On Site | The Hearing Review
Nov 02, 2024Aug 16, 2024 | Earmolds, Pediatric Care | 0 |
The Callier Center for Communication Disorders at UT Dallas has opened a clinical innovation lab, pioneering the use of 3D printing for custom pediatric hearing aid earmolds, significantly improving efficiency in patient care.
The Callier Center for Communication Disorders at The University of Texas at Dallas recently celebrated the opening of its clinical innovation lab on the Richardson campus and the center’s groundbreaking use of 3D-printing technology for creating custom earmolds for pediatric hearing aids.
Further reading: Harnessing Technology and Patient Care for Pediatric Hearing Aid Fittings
The Callier Center’s use of 3D printing for on-site earmold creation greatly reduces the time required for fitting a patient’s device. The earmold channels sound from the hearing aid to the eardrum. It must be custom-made to fit each person’s ear canal, and fast-growing young children generally need multiple sets of earmolds in their first five years.
Further reading: Custom Earmolds and Plugs: A Formula of Area Over Love
Andrea Gohmert, AuD, CCC-A, ABAC, director of audiology clinical operations at Callier and clinical associate professor of speech, language, and hearing in the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, said that Callier has printed more than 1,200 earmolds in-house for more than 800 patients since the effort began in August 2022. Clinicians have refined the production process to take less than six hours; the traditional process of ordering earmolds takes two to three weeks. Timely and consistent access to sound is important for young children who are deaf or hard of hearing. The increased efficiency means that infants and children can more rapidly receive necessary treatment.
Callier is pioneering the manufacture of earmolds on-site using 3D printing among audiology clinics in the U.S. Callier leaders have shared these advances with audiologists and clinics around the country so that patients nationwide can benefit from this process in their own clinics.
Featured image: Andrew Calvert, chief hearing aid technician at the Callier Center for Communication Disorders, works to design and manufacture earmolds on-site, helping children hear much sooner than waiting weeks for an off-site earmold. Photo: Callier Center for Communication Disorders
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Summary:Key Takeaways:Innovative 3D Printing:Expanded Capabilities:National Impact:Further reading: Harnessing Technology and Patient Care for Pediatric Hearing Aid FittingsFurther reading: Custom Earmolds and Plugs: A Formula of Area Over LoveFeatured image: