3D Printing Hearing Aids

Aug 9
08:23

2012

Chris Waldo

Chris Waldo

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3D printing has the power to make some very cool applications, one of which is hearing aids. Read more to find out how.

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I’m very interesting in the technology known as 3D printing. This technology is very cool,3D Printing Hearing Aids Articles as it allows for the creation of pretty much anything! There isn’t a general application for 3D printing; this technology produces parts within all industries. Some of the models include architectural models. Some of the applications are in the medical field, including prosthetics and even organ replication. Some of the applications work around prototyping and product development. Others applications are great for full color character models. There isn’t one “average” type of print that comes from a 3D printer. There is too much to cover! Let me elaborate.

 

3D printing allows for the creation of so much, the possibilities really depend on the designer of the 3D model used. There is an extensive library of materials, well over 100 in fact. There is a material for pretty much everything. Precious metals like platinum, gold, and silver are around. Mechanical materials like stainless steel, Inconel, and titanium are around. Look at the Objet tango family for rubber like materials. Many others such as “snap fit” materials or flame retardants are in existence as well. There is just so much to choose from; like I said earlier, there are over 100 materials to choose from. There is also an extensive library of printers to choose from as well. Tons of printers exist today to produce what you’re looking for. Some printers offer small builds like desktop printers or medical printers that work around hearing aids, jewelry, and dental applications. There are printers which can actually use concrete to manufacture houses! Other printers are around which can produce large pieces for prototyping. There is a material, and a size of that material for pretty much everything.

 

One thing I want to discuss is 3D printing small parts for the medical industry. There have been a wide variety of options for what 3D printing has jumped into, but the medical world is definitely one of them. It has even done some organ replication! Let me talk about 3D Printing hearing aids, dental work, and custom parts. Like I mentioned earlier, there are materials for pretty much whatever you need. One of the material requirements for the medical world in some instances, would be the material to offer incredibly high detail and resolution, while being safe to be placed in the body. Dental applications have definitely taken notice of 3D printing, and hearing aids have definitely expanded on this technology. When a print can include an entirely unique model per each piece in a build tray, we are talking efficiency. Imagine being able to manufacture 30 hearing aids at once, while each of the models were entirely unique to each individual patient. Think about it; 3D printing can create the model to the exact dimensions required in a material that is practical and safe to use in the body. That is what I call efficient! There are also requirements for very specific situations in which a patient may need a highly customized piece that is made from a material that offers specific materials. 3D printing can definitely help with those needs!