Prominens 2019–2020

A wearable device for better diagnosis of Eustachian Tube Dysfunction (ETD)

The Story

Prominens was founded in 2020 after its founders, during their BioMedical Design fellowship year, identified a major gap in how Eustachian Tube Dysfunction (ETD) is diagnosed. They observed that many patients live with chronic ear-related symptoms like pain, hearing issues, and pressure discomfort — without ever receiving a clear diagnosis. Despite multiple appointments and tests, both patients and ENT specialists often lacked the tools to understand what was really going on in the middle ear.

Determined to tackle this overlooked problem, the team set out to develop a device that could provide reliable and physiological data on Eustachian tube function — helping to bring clarity where there had only been uncertainty.

The Need

ETD affects an estimated 5% of adults and plays a key role in the development of various middle ear disorders. Yet, diagnosing ETD remains a challenge. Current methods rely on indirect, one-time tests and expert interpretation — often leading to inconclusive or incorrect diagnoses. This results in prolonged diagnostic processes, repeated appointments, and in some cases, unnecessary or unsuccessful treatments.

The consequences for patients can be significant: long-term symptoms, repeated consultations, and feelings of helplessness. For clinicians and healthcare systems, it means high costs, inefficient care pathways, and a lack of data to guide treatment decisions.

The Solution

Prominens is developing a wearable diagnostic device that tracks middle ear pressure changes over a 24-hour period using acoustic signals. The device automatically detects Eustachian tube openings and pressure-equalizing activities such as swallowing and yawning. With this continuous data, physicians can assess Eustachian tube function under real-life, physiological conditions — providing a more accurate, faster, and patient-friendly diagnosis of ETD.

This tool has the potential to support better treatment planning, reduce the need for repeated appointments, and offer new insights for clinical research.

The Team