This CDE themed competition seeks proof of concept research proposals to develop solutions that monitor, diagnose, treat and restore noise-induced hearing loss and tinnitus.
The Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) Centre for Defence Enterprise (CDE) proves the value of novel, high-risk, high-potential-benefit research sourced from the broadest possible range of science and technology providers, including academia and small companies, to enable development of cost-effective capability advantage for UK Armed Forces and national security.
- £500,000 of funding is available for this Phase 1 competition.
- Up to £500,000 will also be made available for Phase 2. Funding will be considered on a per-project basis.
The health and wellbeing of armed forces personnel throughout their career is vitally important; one area of particular concern is the potential for hearing loss and tinnitus; specifically, noise-induced hearing loss and tinnitus.
Many employees in the UK and worldwide are exposed to potentially harmful noise levels at work, but in military service it is loud, impulsive noise that is a specific occupational hazard. Effects can be short term or chronic, resulting in permanent hearing loss and debilitating tinnitus. It can have adverse consequences for the individual’s operational service and, in some instances, can be life changing.
For MOD, there are significant consequences associated with safety, communications and degradation of operational forces. MOD has a duty of care to prevent injury by using protective measures; but also needs to maintain operational effectiveness when injury does occur by diagnosing and treating as early and as effectively as possible.
This CDE themed competition has 2 challenges:
- Monitor and diagnose: we require proof-of-concept research proposals to develop technologies to identify those at risk of injury to hearing, diagnose hearing loss early, and objectively measure tinnitus.
- Treat and restore: we require proof-of-concept research proposals to develop interventions to stop hearing deterioration and/or restore hearing.
This competition will be briefed at a CDE Innovation Network event on 9 February 2016 and at a webinar on 7 March 2016. Further details and call documentation can be accessed via CDE’s website
This competition closes on Thursday 21 April 2016 at 5pm. Proposals must be submitted to CDE online.
Open Date: 21 January, 2016
Close Date: 21 April, 2016
Website: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/centre-for-defence-enterprise
e-mail: cde@dstl.gov.uk
Call: 01235 438 445