33. Finsen Headphones: Detecting and Treating Mid-ear Infections Using Machine Learning and Phototherapy

Leanne Fan is a high schooler from San Diego, CA. In 2022 she was named America's Top Young Scientist by 3M. Fan's invention can both detect and treat mid-ear infections, and at a low cost. Details: By 2050, 1 in 4 people will have hearing loss to some extent. In children, the majority of this hearing loss is caused by mid-ear infections. Loss of hearing that comes from repeated ear infections can also affect one's future and health. For a child, this can affect the ability to learn and develop social skills. Diagnostic and treatment may be too expensive and unavailable in lower income countries, as over 50% of the world’s population doesn’t have access to healthcare. Our speaker, Leanne Fan, was inspired by her mother's battles with multiple ear infections to invent the Finsen Headphones, a prototype that detects and treats mid-ear infections using acoustic reflectometry, machine learning, and phototherapy. These headphones can both detect and treat mid ear infections, and at a low cost. A high schooler from San Diego, Fan was named America's Top Young Scientist by 3M and Discovery Education in 2022 and rang the New York Stock Exchange opening bell. She strives to provide a low cost and non-medicinal ear infection treatment in place of antibiotics for kids to prevent hearing loss, control infections before surgery is needed, and reduce the spread of antibiotic resistance. Fan also encourages science and art in her community and in younger children by promoting her local science fairs and teaching children science at science expos. To learn more about Leanne's project in the 3M Young Scientist Challenge, go to: https://wvnexus.org/?p=13513 ⁠⁠More about the Rotary eClub of Silicon Valley⁠⁠    Website: ⁠⁠Rotary.cool⁠ Meetings’ ⁠⁠Video Archive⁠⁠ YouTubeChannel⁠⁠  How to become a member in ⁠⁠this online Rotary eClub⁠⁠ ⁠⁠More about Rotary International:⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠www.Rotary.org⁠⁠ Find a ⁠⁠local Rotary club⁠⁠  Find an ⁠⁠online Rotary Club⁠⁠ Podcast and Zoom Host: ⁠⁠Rushton Hurley⁠⁠ Podcast Producer: ⁠⁠Elton Sherwin⁠⁠ Audio edited and enhanced with: ⁠⁠Descript Studio Sound ⁠⁠  #PositiveChange #Inspiration #Rotary