Recipient organisationNIHR Sheffield Biomedical Research Centre
NIHR supportRecorded as supported by this research centre
PeriodFeb 2025 — Apr 2025
In plain English
AI plain-English summary
A small camera inserted in the ear canal detects whether someone has deliberately made their eardrum move, turning that movement into a computer command. Many people with severe neuro-disabilities cannot use standard communication devices, which often require manual typing, visible gestures, or spoken voice commands. These methods can interrupt activities or be socially awkward. The EarSwitch bypasses all of that by sensing a tiny ear muscle—the tensor tympani—that some people can voluntarily contract to produce an "ear rumble." A previous NIHR project showed this approach could work for people with limited communication options. This clinical investigation tests the device’s safety and usability in people with mild to moderate neuro-disabilities and healthy volunteers. Participants use the EarSwitch at home for four weeks, performing ear-rumbling tasks while researchers track how well and consistently they can activate the muscle. Validated questionnaires capture feedback on comfort and ease of use. If the EarSwitch passes regulatory approval, it could give people with severe communication impairments a hands-free, silent, and discreet way to control computers, speech-generating devices, or environmental controls—without interrupting their activities or drawing attention in social settings.
View original technical description
There are many people who have problems with communication leading to a reduced quality of life. Current communication technology for these groups involve interfaces triggered by manual, visible and/or audible actions (such as typing on a keypad), which inevitably interrupt the users’ activities. Additionally, voice interfaces, when available, are often problematic in social situations. The Communication Earswitch is a demonstrated medical device that detects the voluntary contraction of a small muscle in the ear, called the tensor tympani muscle (TT), which can in turn be used effectively as a computer interface switch. The voluntary activation of the TT makes the eardrum move, and such movement (known as ear rumbling) can be detected using a small camera inserted in the ear canal. A previously funded NIHR ‘i4i Connect’ research project showed how the Earswitch may be advantageous to populations with severe neuro-disabilities, for whom other communication methods are limited. This clinical investigation is being undertaken to provide supporting evidence towards regulatory approval of the medical device. We will collect data from participants with mild to moderate neuro-disabilities and healthy participants to make sure that the Communication EarSwitch is safe when used for its intended purpose. All participants will have the opportunity to use the Communication EarSwitch at home and will be asked to complete various ear rumbling tasks throughout a 4-week period. Collecting data about how well people can voluntarily contract the TT muscle, and if and how performance varies over time, is important for understanding what type of assistive interfaces, and applications, may be suitable for use with the EarSwitch. Feedback on the usability and comfort of the device will be gathered using validated questionnaires. Data will be analysed to inform final changes before launching the Communication Earswitch, adverse occurrences will be gathered and any reportable events will be reported.
Plain English summaries and category classifications on this site are generated by AI and may not perfectly reflect the original research.
Is something wrong? Let us know