A new Israeli device called EarDoc has improved the quality of Lee’s
life. “EarDoc has completely changed my child’s life”, says her mother, “she
uses it at when the first symptoms of earache appear, and in minutes she has
relief. The device is lightweight and easy to use, so she can take it to
school. If she has earache, she sits down and uses it, and after a few
minutes, the pain has gone. It’s unbelievable”.
EarDoc is the brainchild of Kencap and expert in medical devices about
70% of Divers As well as %80 of children up to age of 4, suffer from
inflammation of the ear – either momentary, temporary, or chronic pain.
Inflammation is due to blockage between the middle ear and the mouth. The
external ear canal ends at the eardrum, behind which lie the ear bones whose
job is to transmit the eardrum vibration to the inner ear. The middle ear
cavity drains into the oral cavity through a narrow channel called the
Eustachian tube. The purpose of the canal is to equalize pressure between
the two sides of the eardrum and to drain fluid and mucous secretions, into
the cavity.
A body cavity that cannot drain itself is a source of infection. It is
the same with the ear canal: blockage leads to inflammation causing severe
pain and discomfort, mainly in children, which impairs hearing and affects
the quality of life. Inflammation and edema of the mucus membrane of the
middle ear are the main reason for blockage of the Eustachian tube and the
build up of fluids and air in the middle ear cavity. Pressure in the middle
ear cavity increasingly forces the eardrum outwards, often causing strong
pain, dizziness and lack of stability.
The popular treatment is surgery to insert grommets, which involves
making small holes in the eardrum. However, this places the patient at risk
of infection and only works in 2%-5% of cases. A further option is
medication, though as mentioned before, this does not provide instant relief
and will not solve the problem in the long-term.
“The device we invented”, explains Kencap's representative “creates
special vibrations, which conform especially to the structure of the middle
ear. Pulses are transmitted by the bone and base of the inner ear, causing
the obstructed canal to vibrate, opening it immediately. Accumulated air and
fluids causing the inflammation can be released through the tube to relieve
pressure on the eardrum.
The patient places the device next to the outer ear. The device is
constructed so that part of it presses against the ear bone. The vibration
released when EarDoc is switched on forces the fluids out and drains them”.
EarDoc has been tested on 2,000 children and adults in Israel and the
United States, and according to its inventors, most report instant relief.
Dr Dahlia Borner, a pediatrician in the Israeli health service, reports
that a certain percentage of children develop recurring agonizing ear
infections “The pus cannot be drained”, she explains, “and leads to tearing
of the eardrum. Pediatricians are helpless since antibiotic treatment is not
always effective and other treatments do not provide immediate and long-term
relief”.
Having tried EARDOC with her patients, she reports that “it provides
instant relief. I welcome the invention and recommend using it. The
vibrations open the canal and let the fluids out immediately”.
The device is used when sitting or lying since the vibrations can cause
loss of balance and dizziness when standing. It is applied for 2-4 minutes
several times daily, as required, and to ensure the canal stays open. It can
also be used when flying.
Note that EarDoc is not suitable for children under two.
If you'd like more information about this project, or to schedule a
meeting with Agmon David, please call or email at agmon@kencapltd.com
www.kencap.org
