# Tinnitus-Testing Headphones This Hearing Device Detects Hearing Conditions Such as Tinnitus By Alyson Wyers | Published 2017-05-11 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hearing-conditions References: [springwise](https://www.springwise.com/new-device-turns-headphones-tinnitus-early-warning-system/) & [plextek](http://www.plextek.com/tinnitus-detection-system/) Electronics consultancy company Plextek came up with a device that can turn headphones into a warning system for [hearing conditions like tinnitus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tinnitus-symptoms). Based in the UK, the firm developed the [tinnitus detection system](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/neuromodulation-devices) allows users to test their hearing on a daily basis. By monitoring their response and looking for small changes over time, users will have a better chance of catching early symptoms and seek medical help for potential hearing conditions as soon as possible. The hearing device prototype can be used in [normal headphones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/disruptive-headphone) and syncs to a smartphone app, which measures subtle changes. This invention would be the first of its kind available to consumers outside of a clinical setting and is an example of how health tech can complement healthcare systems. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.3/10 - Popularity: 61% | Activity: 59% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Health](https://www.trendhunter.com/health) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Health Tech Monitoring:** The development of tinnitus detection headphones paves the way for health tech monitoring advances that allow patients to test for hearing conditions at home. - **Consumer-focused Medical Devices:** The tinnitus detection system prototype is significant for being made more readily available outside of a clinical setting and as an example of the future of consumer-focused medical devices. - **Smart Headphone Integration:** The headphone prototype that can sync to a smartphone app, provides an opportunity for disruptive innovation, as more medical monitoring technology is integrated into daily-use devices such as smart headphones. ### Where This Applies - **Healthcare Technology:** The tinnitus detection headphones have implications for the healthcare technology industry in that they allow for more preventative action to be taken in hearing condition detection. - **Consumer Electronics:** With more medical monitoring technology evolving to exist within everyday-use consumer electronics such as headphones, the consumer electronics industry is poised for growth and development. - **Medical Devices:** This invention sets a precedent for more accessible and convenient medical devices that can be utilized outside a hospital setting. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Neurodegenerative Disease-Detecting Earbuds](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hightech-earbuds.md) - [Ear Condition-Diagnosing Earbuds](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/earhealth-earbuds.md) - [Tinnitus Management Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tinnitus-help-app.md) - [Invisible Hearing Aids](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/huehearing.md) - [Semantic Hearing Headphones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hearvana-ai.md) - [Brain Tracking Headphones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mw75-neuro-lt.md) - [Headphone-Shaped Vital Signs Monitors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vital-signs-monitors.md) - [Mindful Mental Wellness Headphones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mindamp-headphones.md) - [Mobile Hearing Therapy](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hearing-therapy.md)