Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is a common type of hearing impairment that, if left untreated, can lead to permanent hearing loss. The audiology team at Taipei Veterans General Hospital (TVGH) is dedicated to researching the diagnosis and treatment of SSNHL, significantly improving diagnostic accuracy and treatment outcomes through various innovative technologies.
Hearing Scale App 4K Advanced Edition: Assessing Hearing Loss with a Smartphone, Diagnosing SSNHL
The Hearing Scale App 4K Advanced Edition, developed by the audiology team at TVGH, is a smart smartphone application for hearing testing. Combining the Hearing Scale method with 4K frequency-specific processing, it can rapidly and accurately assess the hearing condition of patients with unilateral SSNHL. The 4K frequency plays a crucial role in predicting whether patients can fully recover their hearing. This key technology is identified as one of the important features for predicting full hearing recovery in AI prediction models. The team utilized the SSNHL database at TVGH to develop an artificial intelligence recognition module, which can mark and analyze the percentage of hearing recovery and provide predictions after hearing treatment, treatment strategies, and educational planning. Breaking free from the constraints of traditional hearing tests conducted in soundproof rooms, patients can now complete the test in quiet environments, greatly improving convenience. Additionally, the 4K frequency-specific processing function can provide more detailed records, monitoring, and tracking of changes in hearing and recovery status in patients with SSNHL, assisting physicians in more accurately predicting patient outcomes.
AI Eardrum Recognition App: Identifying Eardrum Diseases to Assist in SSNHL Diagnosis
The AI Eardrum Recognition App can quickly identify common eardrum diseases, assisting physicians in diagnosing SSNHL. The app utilizes deep learning technology to analyze images from 10 common otoscopic images, including normal eardrum, acute otitis media, chronic suppurative otitis media, otitis media with effusion, tympanic membrane perforation, earwax blockage, presence of ventilation tubes, retracted eardrum, and otomycosis. Patients can use their smartphones or mobile devices to capture new images and send them to the AI model for analysis. Based on the image type, the model can diagnose middle ear diseases with an accuracy of up to 95%.
Wearable Far-Infrared Device: Improving SSNHL Recovery Rate by Promoting Inner Ear Microcirculation
The wearable far-infrared device is a non-invasive earplug probe developed by the team, which utilizes guided far-infrared waves to improve microcirculation in the inner ear. The device has been ISO 13485 certified and meets the electrical safety standards and biocompatibility requirements of other medical devices. Research results have shown that the wearable far-infrared device can effectively improve the hearing of patients with SSNHL, with high safety.
Dr. Wen-Hui Liao stated that the Hearing Scale App 4K Advanced Edition is the optimized product of the team's years of research. Its launch will bring revolutionary changes to the diagnosis and treatment of SSNHL. The team plans to collaborate with handheld otoscope manufacturers to establish a database of handheld otoscope photography images and promote the establishment of a cloud-based system for nationwide medical institution databases to further improve the accuracy of SSNHL diagnosis.
Resource (Mandarin):
新創焦點-聽力量值App 再進化，突發性耳聾復原新利器！
