“Eight years ago, I drew a simple image on my office blackboard, one that showed my dream of reaching for the stars. I just knew this product was going to change lives, change the world — and space travel was my dream.” — Dr Dirk Koekemoer, the inventor of the Kuduwave, GeoAxon founder
On 20 February 2021, the Cygnus NG-15 spacecraft prepared for launch at NASA’s flight facility in Virginia. Its destination was the International Space Station and its mission was to resupply cargo to the orbital lab and its crew. On board, there was one very unique and much anticipated piece of equipment: The Kuduwave portable audiometer. This medically certified device has been revolutionising the testing and diagnosis of auditory related deficiencies in South Africa since 2009.
But why was it headed into space?
The Challenges of Hearing in Space
“The International Space Station is a noisy place,” says NASA’s Dr Richard Danielson, the only audiologist working in aerospace at that time. “You have, for instance, air handling systems and vacuums used to cool specimens.” Working in high-noise environments is known to cause alterations in the ability to perceive higher frequencies. Nevertheless, NASA’s audiology studies uncovered an intriguing pattern in the hearing assessments of astronauts.
Rather than observing an impact on their ability to hear high frequencies, they were experiencing hearing impairments at lower frequencies. During this period, advanced portable audiometers were not readily accessible, prompting NASA to adapt an existing hearing device for conducting these tests. Nonetheless, there remained uncertainty regarding whether the results were influenced by other variables such as background noise. Additionally, the assessment of middle ear function, which can be influenced by pressure fluctuations, was not feasible.
Consequently, the quest to discover the ideal solution commenced.
How the Kuduwave Got Involved
After a NASA intern discovered the Kuduwave while doing online research, the two organisations began to brainstorm if the Kuduwave could help solve the issues currently being faced in the testing process. NASA had explored several other products from across the globe, but the criteria were strict and the Kuduwave was the most feasible contender.
The product needed to:
Provide clinical data. The tests needed to be implemented as a medical requirement, not an experiment — much along the same lines as monitoring crew members’ blood pressure, food intake, blood tests and so on.
Be web based. So that results could be relayed back to Earth.
Have low mass and minimal additional hardware. the Kuduwave is similar in size to a large pair of headphones, is portable and doesn’t require a sound booth, it takes up minimal space and weight in the aircraft.
Be simple to stow and use. Every minute of an astronaut’s daily schedule is accounted for, which means every task needs to be efficient. The Kuduwave can test the pressures of both ears simultaneously, which substantially reduces testing time. And it’s so simple to use that the astronauts can conduct the tests themselves.
Report on background noise levels. The Kuduwave was able to do this using a built-in Sound Level Meter.
What followed was a few years of testing new prototypes as the available commercial product needed to be adapted to suit space travel. And what emerged was an exceptional product that not only achieves all of the above but can also withstand anything from being tumble dried for 30 minutes to temperatures down to -70 degrees Celsius (-94°F).
“It took over three years to get the Kuduwave into space. There were many challenges but I give credit that this device was modified for our needs and the modifications far exceeded the original requirement. They should be proud of what they have done for the Human Space Life Program,” says Dr Danielson.
When was Kuduwave Testing in Space Completed?
Testing by two crews began in May 2021. SpaceX Crew-2, launched on 23 April, conducted On Orbit Hearing Assessments (OOHA) two to three weeks into their mission and again around the halfway mark. These inflight tests were done with both the Kuduwave and existing hardware to determine key differences.
Around the same time, three Russian Expedition 64-Crew members were set to undergo inflight tests onboard the Soyuz spaceflight. Results were expected to only be released towards the end of 2021. If NASA can fully understand the elements affecting hearing loss or changes in their crew members, it will enable them to build a better environment for astronauts.
“Beyond this, the product offers testing opportunities for ground staff and even the military, since a booth is not needed. So not only is it clinically reliable but also a convenient method for conducting hearing tests closer to working sites,” concludes Dr Danielson.
“This is a truly South African story. The will, the grit and the determination to create a product that will change the lives of so many people and we are so proud that the Kuduwave is a part of that change.” — Jillian Scotland
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