Often, we underestimate the amount of precision needed to create some of the technology that is used to treat, aid or cure common ails, conditions or injuries. We simply go to the doctor or specialist health provider, get what we need and do not think any more about.
However, the devices they use did not just come from nowhere. They were created due to a long process, thanks to technologies or methods developed long before. Let’s use hearing aids as an example. These devices are not the one-size-fits-all contraptions that most people think they are. They must be developed using a technique that requires a lot of precision, so that they can fit the ears of the people they’re designed for.
Thankfully, as technology evolves, so do the processes needed to create these devices that often provide life-changing relief for patients. With regards to hearing aids, one such device is the 3D Ear Scanner that is transforming how quickly and accurately these aids can be produced.
What is 3D Ear Scanning
It is a new technology that is already benefiting audiologists and the patients they treat. Rather than having to use a long and uncomfortable ear-casting method using silicone, they can now get a quick digital scan of a patient's ear that takes mere minutes and is highly accurate. There is no uncomfortable process requiring the ear to be filled with a silicone that might or might not provide an accurate impression.
Using the scans generated by the ear scanner, hearing aids, in-ear monitors, earplugs and a whole host of other devices can now be created more accurately and quicker than ever before.
Why the Industry is Moving Away from Physical Ear Impressions
While regular ear casting methods have helped millions of people over the years, they have always come with well-known limitations. For one, there’s more cost involved due to the materials and equipment required. On top of that, the process can take a long time and is not the most comfortable experience for patients. They have to endure their ear filled with silicone, knowing that just a single movement could cause an inaccurate result.
Then, there is the lengthy process following the scan to have a hearing aid fitted. The ear impression must be sent to the manufacturer by mail before the device is created. For those reasons, it is clear to see why the industry has been looking for more modern methods that are more streamlined and effective. Which is why the 3D ear scanner is so revolutionary.
What are the benefits of 3D Ear Scanners
3D ear scanners, such as the excellent Empress3D from Aurality, provide many benefits when compared to traditional ear-casting methods.
- Cleaner and Easier: As you can imagine, using casting putty and cotton plugs to get an impression of a patient’s ear canal used to be a messy business. That’s no longer the case, as now just a single scanning device is needed.
- Much Quicker: To be clear, traditional methods using ear putty did not take particularly long. It usually took around 15 minutes, but it was an uncomfortable and sometimes painful experience for patients. Thankfully, that is no longer required, as 3D ear scanning takes just a few minutes and is painless.
- Faster Turnaround: Another benefit is that 3D ear scanning enables the production of hearing aids to be completed quickly. Because the scans are digital, they can be sent online. As you can imagine, that’s not possible with physical ear molds. These need to be sent by mail.
- More Accurate: While ear casts can provide a good picture of the inside of a person's ear, it's rare that they’re perfectly accurate. On the other hand, the results produced by a 3D Ear Scanner are more detailed and highly accurate. That ensures patients will receive a better-fitting hearing aid that i more comfortable to wear.
In short, 3D ear scanning has reshaped how specialists can treat their patients with hearing issues. The process to develop accurate representations of a patient's ear is now quicker, more straightforward and less uncomfortable for patients. Furthermore, with increased accuracy and a faster turnaround time, patients can receive treatment more quickly and more comfortably due to having a better-fitting device.
The Takeaway
Thanks to 3D ear scanning, not only do patients have a more streamlined way to receive the hearing treatment they need, but specialists have a more accurate and faster way to help those patients. It is a more cost-effective, accurate and faster way to improve the hearing of those suffering from issues.
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Company Name: Aurality
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Website: https://www.aurality.com/