Predicting Ear Anatomy in Children

The Audibility, Perception and Cognition Lab at Boys Town National Research Hospital is conducting a study to investigate if a child’s height and head circumference can help us to predict the size/shape of their ear and ear canal as they grow. For children who wear hearing aids, knowing the size/shape of their ear canal is important to appropriately fit them with hearing aids. Our goal is to collect normative data to make accurate estimations of a person’s ear size/shape, which will improve hearing aid sound quality and safety.

Who can participate?

Infants and children ages 3 months to 15 years old

What will participants do?

Have measurements taken of their height and head circumference
Have measurements taken of their ear
Have impressions made of their ear

To help us learn how ears change, we will ask you to come back once per year for four years to repeat these measurements!

How long do visits last?

Visits typically last 1 hour.

Where does the study take place?

Boys Town National Research Hospital
555 N 30th Street

Compensation

Participants will earn $15 per visit.