The Callier Center for Communication Disorders at UT Dallas has unveiled a new clinical innovation lab on its Richardson campus, pioneering the use of 3D printing technology to produce custom earmolds for pediatric hearing aids.
Traditionally, the process of ordering custom earmolds could take two to three weeks. However, with the introduction of 3D printing, the Callier Center said it has reduced this time to under six hours.
Since launching this initiative in August 2022, the centre has printed over 1,200 earmolds, serving more than 800 patients, the university reported in a news release.
This rapid turnaround is crucial, particularly for young children who require frequent adjustments due to the rapid growth of their ear canals in the first five years of life.
Dr Andrea Gohmert, director of audiology clinical operations at Callier and clinical associate professor of speech, language, and hearing at the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, highlighted the importance of this innovation.
“As this innovation became a standard of care at the Callier Center, we identified that the 3D-printing lab needed a location and research space of its own,” Gohmert stated.
She added, “We recognise this could also be the location for further Callier clinical innovation for the future.”
The establishment of the lab was made possible through generous community donations, which were celebrated during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on 29 May.
Angela Shoup, the Ludwig A. Michael, MD Callier Center Executive Director, expressed gratitude for the support.
“Callier is committed to raising the standard of patient care through designing innovative solutions to improve health care efficacy and efficiency,” Shoup said.
“With the help of generous donors, the newly opened Callier Clinical Innovation Lab is changing how earmolds for hearing devices are produced, providing training workshops for audiologists and clinics, collaborating with other departments at UT Dallas, and so much more.”
The Callier Center’s pioneering work has set a new benchmark among audiology clinics in the U.S., with leaders sharing these advances nationwide.
In a groundbreaking move, the centre recently hosted a first-of-its-kind 3D-printing workshop, training over 20 attendees from six states in the intricacies of earmold production using 3D printing technology.
This workshop equipped participants with the skills to advocate for and implement similar in-house labs at their facilities, potentially revolutionising care across the country.
