Ear infections, or the inflammation of the middle ear typically caused by bacteria, are a notorious nuisance in early childhood. The high incidence, recurrent nature, and non-specific presentation of ear infections in children have made it a feared diagnosis among parents. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, ear infections are the most common reason for a trip to the pediatrician, with five out of six children experiencing at least one ear infection by age three, and 25% of children having repeated ear infections. Researchers at the University of Maryland (UMD), in collaboration with Johns Hopkins University (JHU), have developed an innovative technology that could save a trip to the doctor’s office by enabling virtually anyone to record and triage a child’s symptoms and status confidently and competently.
Image: Inventor John Rzasa Photo by Sage Levy