Project Description:

Pulsatile Tinnitus (PT) is a debilitating form of Tinnitus affecting over 5 million Americans, characterized by a persistent whooshing sound caused by turbulent blood flow near the ear. It deeply impacts a person’s ability to focus, sleep at night, and even leads to 46% developing severe depression or anxiety. Current diagnostic approaches are inconsistent, invasive, and often inconclusive,leaving nearly 30% of patients without a clear path to treatment. In collaboration with the Mayo Clinic and under the guidance of Dr. Rabih Tawk, M.D., Team Hear Us Out has developed the Endovascular Stethoscope, the first device designed specifically to aid physicians in making diagnostic decisions pertaining to PT. This innovative tool is inserted into a patient’s blood vessels and uses specialized microphones to capture and reconstruct the internal sounds associated with PT, enabling physicians to hear what the patient hears. The device has shown success in in-vitro testing on anatomically accurate vessels of real patients’ diagnosed with PT. By enabling an individualized approach to diagnosing PT, the Endovascular Stethoscope streamlines the process, reducing time, cost, and patient suffering. This device will allow more patients to receive timely and accurate treatment, preventing the prolonged struggle of getting diagnosed, and ultimately save both hospitals and patients significant healthcare costs.