(tympanic immittance diagram) A health technology research published in the Journal of communication · medicine recently reported a newly developed smart phone accessory that can be used to test the function of the middle ear - the middle ear plays an important role in the process of conducting the sound people hear. The price of this smart phone based device component is $28 (excluding the price of mobile phones), while the purchase price of traditional such devices can be as high as $5000, which means that it may be very useful in low-income countries and rural areas with limited resources. Tympanic acoustic immittance test is a test used by audiology department to test the middle ear function by measuring the movement of tympanic membrane in response to the change of air pressure. Accurate evaluation of middle ear diseases using tympanic acoustic immittance test and other tools can improve specialist referral, or reduce the possibility of serious complications caused by untreated ear diseases. The purchase price of the existing tympanic acoustic immittance test equipment is 2000-5000 US dollars, which limits the availability of this test in some parts of the world and the availability of high-quality hearing care. The research team of Washington University has developed a portable, light-weight and low-cost tympanum acoustic immittance test system, which can be used as an accessory of smart phones. This device forms a seal with the ear, which can change the air pressure in the middle ear and form a reading of the movement of the tympanic membrane. The component cost of this accessory is $28. Researchers tested their devices on 50 ears of 28 pediatric patients (1-20 years old). They visited the hearing Department of Seattle Children's Hospital in the United States and were evaluated by 5 audiologists. The researchers found that 86% of readings based on smart phone devices were consistent with commercial tympanometers. The hardware and software design of this new tool is open to anyone to copy this device. The researchers concluded that their device hopes to improve the accessibility of tympanic immittance testing, especially in low - and middle-income countries where smartphone access is rising. Further studies are needed to evaluate the device in a wider population, including adults and younger infants. (Xinhua News Agency)