The Boston Globe Interviews Our Own Dr. Fligor
Wireless earbuds have come a long way since their early days as bulky devices with limited battery life and frequent connectivity issues. Through further miniaturization; improved sound quality; more durable power; and features such as integration with voice assistants, fitness tracking, and more, they’ve become one of THE must-have hearing accessories.
One of the most important innovations, however, has been customization. No two ears are alike, after all, making off-the-shelf earbuds less than ideal. Instead, an earpiece molded to the unique contours of your ear can help:
- Ensure a more comfortable and snug fit, reducing the risk of the device falling out
- Create a more effective seal around the ear, keeping out unwanted exterior noise
- Facilitate better sound fidelity, letting you enjoy more of the bass or other notes
- Reduce the temptation to crank up the volume, which can harm your hearing
Our own Dr. Brian Fligor, audiologist-in-chief and president of Tobias & Battite, was on the frontlines of an exciting earbud innovation. In the mid-2010s when Lantos Technologies launched its groundbreaking Uvero custom earbuds, Dr. Fligor — then Lantos’ chief audiology officer — talked about the game-changing device with media outlets, including the Boston Globe.
From the article itself:
The Uvero system relies on technology developed by an MIT mechanical engineering professor, Douglas Hart. An expert in image processing, Hart invented a method of scanning teeth to help dentists create accurate molds for making crowns and bridges.
Uvero uses a similar technique to scan ear canals. A technician with a futuristic-looking device slides a rubber membrane into the subject’s ear, then inflates it with fluid so the membrane fills the ear canal. The feeling is surprisingly pleasant, like a small, cool water balloon gently squeezing against the inner ear.
Inside the balloon, a digital camera takes pictures of the inner membrane, which firmly presses against the ear canal so that its exact shape is visible. The image data are transformed into a model of the inner ear and relayed to a 3-D printer that creates a silicon (sic) earbud designed to fit each ear perfectly.
As the first clinic in Boston to use the Lantos 3D Ear Scanning System, Tobias & Battite is committed to staying atop the latest proven advances for optimal hearing health. Though we’re still experts at creating traditional earmold impressions, nothing beats digital impressions for speed, efficiency, and patient comfort.
To learn more about our custom earbuds for musicians, audio engineers, and music lovers or to schedule a hearing evaluation, please don’t wait. Contact our expert audiology team today!