Foto: University of Texas at Dallas
Das Callier Center for Communication Disorders an der University of Texas in Dallas recently celebrated the opening of its clinical innovation lab on its Richardson campus and the use of 3D printing technology to create custom ear molds for pediatric hearing aids.
Earmolds, which conduct sound from the hearing aid to the eardrum, must be individually fitted to the wearer’s ear canal. Fast and precise manufacturing is crucial, especially for fast-growing toddlers who often require multiple earmolds in their first years of life. The Callier Center has printed over 1,200 earmolds for more than 800 patients on site since August 2022, significantly speeding up the traditional ordering process that takes two to three weeks. Thanks to the new method, manufacturing takes less than six hours.
Dr. Andrea Gohmert, the director of audiology at the Callier Center and clinical professor in the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, emphasized, “As this innovation became a standard of care at the Callier Center, we realized that the 3D printing lab needed its own location and research space,” Gohmert said. “We realized that this could also be the site for more of Callier’s clinical innovations in the future.”
The lab was made possible through generous donations from the community. At the May 29 dedication ceremony, Dr. Angela Shoup, the Callier Center’s executive director, highlighted the donors’ support: “Callier is committed to raising the standard of patient care by developing innovative solutions to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of health care,” Shoup said. “With the help of generous donors, the newly opened Callier Clinical Innovation Lab is transforming the way hearing aid ear molds are manufactured, providing training workshops for audiologists and clinicians, collaborating with other UT Dallas departments and more. This is an example of the type of clinical innovation made possible by community support for the Clinical Innovation Lab.”
The Callier Center is considered a pioneer in on-site earmold manufacturing using 3D printing in the United States. These advances have already been shared with audiologists and clinics across the country to bring the benefits of this technology to a broader patient base. The center recently hosted a unique 3D printing workshop where over 20 participants from six states were trained in the various aspects of earmold production. The goal of the workshop was to empower participants to set up similar labs in their own facilities and improve hearing aid fitting nationwide.
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