our project
Problem
There are more than 466 million people with hearing issues worldwide as of 2018. Conductive hearing loss, a problem with conducting sound waves through the outer ear canal, tympanic membrane or middle ear, makes up a large fraction of those with this disability. A significant portion of these people are born without properly functioning ossicles or whose ossicles slowly degenerate over time through wear and tear, are unable to solve this issue with conventional hearing aids. Existing solutions involve an expensive and strenuous surgical procedure.
SOLUTION
We are creating a device that will recreate the hearing track for people with middle ear problems. This is a small, implantable device which will allow the patients to hear again in less than 10 minutes. At final production stage, enginEAR will provide better quality sound and a more affordable device to patients.
The primary application of our device is a usage of a tool known as the Hummingbird TTS whose initial function is installing a tympanostomy tube to air out the middle ear and drain fluid buildup that typically causes ear infections and hearing loss. This tool will be used in conjunction with our product in order to install our ossicle-like device and fixating it between the tympanic membrane and on the round window of the cochlea. The procedure is very simple and quick. It first starts with earwax removal and an application of general anesthesia on the tympanic membrane. Lastly, an incision is made in the anterior inferior quadrant, the optimal location for sight of the cochlea’s round window, and the device will be installed within the same step.
CAD DESIGN
The device is designed to be 3.75 mm in length, connecting from the tympanic membrane to the round window and to be 1.5 mm in diameter. The device is made of primarily medical-grade silicon. Future models may be produced with titanium to increase durability and rigidity. Locations indicated by red represent the polyurethane adhesive that will be used to fixate the device at installation.
Business Model
We will be operating on a direct sales business model focusing on the target audience of medical clinics as well as the veterans affairs. The US population alone includes some 37.5 million individuals reporting some hearing problems. The US veterans affairs states that 2.7 million veterans receive disabilities benefits pertaining to hearing loss. There will be a focus in marketing towards both groups but securing contracts with the veteran affairs will be prioritized as a low-risk revenue stream.
In 2020, the veterans affair is requesting a budget of $220.2 billion to ensure that the nation’s veterans receive high quality healthcare. Veterans affairs is diligent in securing funds to cure and alleviate many problems veterans often suffer after their service, including hearing loss that may occur from the explosive battlefield and training simulations.
Global hearing aid market size is valued at $5.3 billion in 2018 and is expected to increase approximately 8.3% every year. Baby boomers are reaching a critical age where a large spike in hearing loss solutions will be in high demand. This upcoming audience will be targeted by appealing to them with an inexpensive, quick procedure.
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enginEAR
$200
Clinical installation: less than 10 minutes
Recover in less than 2 weeks
Located in the middle ear
General Anesthesia
Ototronix
$8500
Surgical procedure: less than 1 hour
Recover in 4 weeks
Located in the middle ear
General Anesthesia
Cochlear
$10000
Surgical procedure: 1 hour
Recover in 3-6 weeks
Located behind the ear
General Anesthesia
Oticon Medical
$10000
Surgical procedure: 1 hour
Recover in 8 weeks
Located in skull bone behind the ear
General Anesthesia