Active Research

Principal Investigators: Stephen Fausti, PhD, Roger Ellingson, MS, Wendy Helt, MA

Objectives. Rehabilitation engineering proposal to enhance and refine our first generation portable handheld ototoxicity early identification (OtoID) prototype device, while demonstrating its reliability, accuracy, efficiency and telemedicine feasibility.

Research Plan. The present research and development team collaborated in the development and evaluation of our current prototype audiometer device. Thus far, we have been able to demonstrate that the portable, handheld prototype device is reliable for evaluating hearing thresholds in 1/6th, 1/2 and full octave intervals in controlled auditory research environments and on hospital wards. The goal of this proposal is to develop our existing prototype device into an inexpensive, computer-automated handheld system that is sensitive to early ototoxicity identification and monitoring, and is suitable for both onsite (hospital wards and clinics) and distant site (other VAMCs and patients' homes) testing by audiologists, non-hearing healthcare professionals and patients themselves.

Methods. This rehabilitation engineering proposal seeks to complete device re-engineering, testing and remote data collection. The computer-automation of this system will permit remote transmission of test results to a centralized database for analysis, interpretation and follow-up. Advances of this nature are needed to make early detection of ototoxicity a standard level of health care for veterans and other individuals throughout the nation.