• Collaborative Research Grants
• Statewide Research Symposium
• Grant Applications
• Grant Awardees
• Background

Launching RI as the R&D Nexus for Next Generation Hearing Devices

Develop a state-of-the-art hearing aid to deliver optimal sound to patients suffering hearing loss.

Collaborators

• Kipp Bradford, Chief Technology Officer, Bionica
• Dr. Laurie Heller, Brown University

Summary

Over 30 million people suffer from hearing loss in the United States. About two thirds of these people have mild hearing loss but do not use hearing aids. This population suffers an average of seven years before purchasing a hearing aid, struggling to hear in many situations or when there is significant background noise. About one tenth of the overall population tried hearing aids, but stopped using them after becoming dissatisfied with the performance and comfort of the devices. The remaining hard of hearing sufferers reluctantly continue to use hearings aids because they can't function without them.

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