Hearing aids for children in under-developed countries
Hearing aids are expensive which is why helping people with hearing difficulties in developing countries has always been a problem. SINTEF is now joining forces with the company Auristronic in the initial phases of a project to produce a cheap device designed ideally for schoolchildren with moderate levels of hearing loss. The device is based on standard headsets rather than hearing aids. The brain of the system is contained in a small, separate unit. Children are screened with the aid of a mobile telephone. The idea is that school staff will be able to carry this out. The researchers are currently working to obtain further funding.