Project: Supporting Hearing in Elderly Citizens

Acronym	SHiEC (Reference Number: aal-2013-6-065)
Duration	01/05/2014 - 01/05/2017
Project Topic	1. Challenges addressed and AAL-solutions proposed Hearing loss is very common problem in the elderly population. Severe hearing loss causes social isolation as people tend to avoid social interaction. A cochlear implant is a technology that can restore hearing in subjects with profound hearing loss. Moderate hearing losses can be addressed with bone anchored hearing aids. Modern devices have very interesting and beneficial features such as noise reduction systems, but elderly people do not make the most of their devices, because they struggle with the user interfaces and the device complexity. This project intends to support them and their care givers (clinicians,...) by offering them an easy-to-use web service with counselling materials, training and rehabilitation exercises and speech performance tracking. A link from home to the caregiver will be made. 2. Target groups for the AAL-solution proposal Elderly occupied people suffering from disabling hearing loss. 3. Technology to be employed An eHealth platform will be designed for exchange of device data between end user and clinician, based on a cloud server, a mobile device (smartphone) for the end recipient, and a desktop application at the clinic. Several services will be developed. 4. Business model Hearing implant companies are gradually participating more in delivering technical services to end users and clinics. The more advanced services such as rehabilitation and fitting may be offered for a fee. But clinical care excellence is also an important competitive advantage. 5. End user participation The Dutch independent platform for Cochlear Implantation is participating as a sound board throughout the project.
Network	AAL
Call	Call 6 – Supporting occupation in life for older adults

Project partner

Number	Name	Role	Country
	Cochlear Bone Anchored Solutions AB		Sweden
	Cochlear Technology Center		Belgium
	Onafhankelijk Platform Cochleaire Implantatie		Netherlands
	Otoconsult NV		Belgium
	VU University Medical Center		Netherlands