L2M – Cross-platform App for self-assessment of speech in noise performance

The DSP and electroacoustics lab (DEAL) at the National Centre for Audiology (NCA) conducts research and development in the digital health technology landscape, with a specific focus on creating a mobile hearing assessment application. This initiative is crucially timed to address the escalating issue of hearing loss, which is anticipated to impact 2.5 billion people globally by 2050. The DEAL’s project is particularly vital given the increasing use of smartphones among older adults and the recent regulatory approvals for over-the-counter hearing aids. This convergence of factors presents both significant opportunities and challenges for DEAL’s knowledge translation activities.
The present project aims to address the critical market problem of inaccessible and inconvenient hearing assessments, especially for the aging population and those with mobility or geographical limitations. The traditional approach to hearing tests, requiring visits to specialized clinics and expert supervision, poses notable accessibility challenges. DEAL’s mobile application, designed for easy and convenient home-based hearing assessments, seeks to bridge this gap, tapping into a clear market demand.
The project focuses on leveraging the app’s unique features, such as its offline functionality and compatibility with simple wired and wireless technology, to enhance its appeal and usability, especially for less tech-savvy older adults. By aligning the product with the needs of over-the-counter hearing aid companies, we envisage an opening up of new avenues for partnerships and market entry.

Faculty Supervisor:

Vijay Parsa

Student:

Partner:

I-INC Foundation for Business Development

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

The University of Western Ontario

Program: