- Centre for Auditory Neuroscience at the University of Melbourne, engaged in study to determine whether use of IQbuds™ by children with Autism Spectrum Disorder improves their sensory experience.
- Autism prevalence has increased 15% from the two years prior, to now be 1 in 59 children.
- Auditory deficits affecting the ability to understand speech in background noise and to tolerate loud sounds are common in people with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
- Anecdotal evidence to date has demonstrated significant improvements for children with Autism using IQbuds™.
- Nuheara is encouraged by this potential hearing healthcare channel expansion; significantly using technology to support children, by utilising affordable non-pharma products.
25 July 2018 – Perth, Australia
Nuheara Limited (ASX: NUH) (“Company” or “Nuheara”), transforming the way people hear by creating game-changing hearing solutions that are accessible and affordable, is pleased to announce the engagement of a study by the acclaimed Centre for Auditory Neuroscience at the University of Melbourne, to determine whether use of IQbuds™ by children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (Autism) improves their sensory experience.
Autism is a lifelong developmental condition that affects, among other things, the way an individual relates to his or her environment and their interaction with other people. The word ‘spectrum’ describes the range of difficulties that people on the autism spectrum may experience and the degree to which they may be affected.
According to the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated one in 59 children now has autism; as a lifelong condition that’s more than 5.5 million Americans currently living with an autism spectrum disorder (directly corelates to 420,000 Australians).
“These [new CDC] findings demonstrate that while progress has been made on some fronts, there is still much work to do,” says Autism Speaks President and Chief Executive Officer Angela Geiger. “They urgently warrant a significant increase in life-enhancing research and access to high quality services for people with autism across the spectrum and throughout their lifespan.”
“In response, this new study to be conducted by the University of Melbourne, builds on the research we have commissioned with Ear Science Institute of Australia into children with Auditory Processing Disorder. Further demonstrating that Nuheara is determined to have an evidenced-based approach in the marketing of its products to a healthcare channel which is already demonstrating positive anecdotal response,” said Justin Miller, CEO of Nuheara.
Figure 1: Primary school child, with diagnosed Asperger Syndrome (part of the Autism Spectrum Disorder), using IQbuds™ in the classroom
“We have seen first hand the early anecdotal evidence which demonstrates the immediate responsive change in some children who have Autism when they are wearing IQbuds™. The ability of the child wearing IQbuds™ to control background noise by utilising Nuheara’s proprietary SINC™ (Super Intelligent Noise Control) technology, is key to these results.”
“As a Company, we understand that parents would immediately be open to purchasing affordable non-pharma products that can help their children. But we wanted to ensure we have a strong evidentiary research base first.”
“Auditory deficits affecting the ability to understand speech in background noise and to tolerate loud sounds are common in people with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The University of Melbourne, Department of Audiology & Speech Pathology will be studying whether affected children can benefit from the use of IQbudsTM in everyday listening situations,” said Dr Gary Rance, Associate Professor, Centre for Auditory Neuroscience.
CONTACTS
Australia
Justin Miller
CEO and Managing Director
+61 8 6555 9999
[email protected]
Media
Ranya Alkadamani
+61 434 664 589
[email protected]
About Nuheara
Nuheara is a global leader in Intelligent Hearing: smart personal hearing devices that enhance and amplify human experiences. Nuheara has developed proprietary and multi-functional intelligent hearing technology that augments a person’s hearing and facilitates cable free connection to smart devices. Nuheara is based in Perth, Australia and has offices in San Francisco and New York, USA. Nuheara was the first consumer wearables technology company to be listed on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX).
In 2016, the Company released its revolutionary wireless earbuds, IQbuds™, which allow consumers to augment their hearing according to their personal hearing preferences and connect hands free with their voice-enabled smart devices. IQbuds™ are now sold in major consumer electronics retailers and professional hearing clinics around the world. The Company’s mission is to improve people’s lives by allowing them to seamlessly listen, communicate, and connect to their physical and digital worlds.
Learn more about Nuheara: www.nuheara.com
