A few people over at the NUH thread believe their IQ bud is...

A few people over at the NUH thread believe their IQ bud is offering a similar product to NTI's Mente autism device in regards to Auditory Processing Disorder after NUH released an announcement yesterday in regards to their IQ Buds and their Auditory Processing Disorder 'solution'. As it is laughable - I wrote this on the NUH thread to assist their understanding.  

There is a severe confirmation bias that the NUH group is engaged in. Fifteen people just 'liked' a particular poster stating that NUH will offer a similar product to NTI (Neurotech International) in regards to Auditory Processing disorder and autism which is simply not true.

There is nothing revolutionary about NUH's approach to Auditory Processing Disorder despite what NUH's latest announcement alludes to which can not already be offered by other hearing aid providers.

To clear up some facts that have erroneously attempted to claim that NUH IQ Buds will do the same thing as NTI's Mente autism device:

1) In regards to Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) and NUH's announcement: Compensating and changing the environment by increasing volume of the sound (which is what the IQ Buds do) will only make things a little easier for the patient but they will not fix the auditory processing problem. The brain must be re-trained to process sound correctly and quickly. That is why neurofeedback which actively utilises personalised binaural beats through an eeg band is necessary so the beats can change beta and theta waves in accordance to the child's changing mind.

2) So to say that your IQ Bud will do the exact same thing as NTI (Neurotech International) Mente autism device is incorrect. Your IQ bud's do not read beta and theta waves actively in the patient through an eeg and then offer personalised binaural beats that change beta and theta waves in accordance to what the device is reading through the eeg. Your device also does not offer machine learning throughout the Neurofeedback process that actively learns about your child's brain waves over time subsequently offering a therapy that is neurologically tailor made in order to change your child's neurological behaviour. Hence your IQ bud's are not a Neurofeedback device - and is thus not a treatment for autism nor does it actively treat Auditory Processing Disorders by fixing the auditory processing problem as the brain must be re-trained to process sound correctly and quickly.

3)  As the IQ Bud only amplify noise into the ear of the child - which is only a compensation approach to Auditory Processing Disorder - it is not even in the same field as NTI's Mente autism device. Accordingly, placing NTI's market cap on top of NUH's to show how much 'extra value' this announcement has today like some have done for NUH is desperate at best.

4) A hearing aid in a child's ear can do the exact same thing for a child in regards to the amplification compensation process within Auditory Processing Disorder. NUH is offering nothing new - and not even a whole approach to the disorder.


Here are some references to further your knowledge on Auditory Processing Disorder, Neurofeedback and the difference in what NUH can offer as compared to NTI:


[1] Prevalence of autism spectrum disorders — autism and developmental disabilities monitoring network, 14 sites. United States.US National Library of MedicineNational Institutes of Health. 2008.

[2] Kouijzer, M., Gerrits, B., Congedo, M and Van Schie, T.Neurofeedback improves executive functioning in children with autism spectrum disorders. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders. 2009. Vol 3, Pp. 145–162.

[3] Coben, R and Padolsky, I. Assessment-guided neurofeedback for autistic spectrum disorders. Journal of Neurotherapy. 2007. Vol.11, P. 5–23.

[4] Kouijzer, M., Moora, J., Gerritsb, B., Buitelaarc, J and Van Schie, H. Long-term effects of neurofeedback treatment in autism. A Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders 3. 2009. P. 496–501. Elsivier Publishers.

[5] Jarusiewicz, B. Efficacy of Neurofeedback for Children in the Autistic Spectrum: A Pilot Study PhD. Pages 39- 49. 2008.

[6] Trevisan, A and P, Cavallari. A Portable Sonified Neurofeedback Therapy for Autism Spectrum Disorder Patients - An Initial Evaluation. Journal of Neurological Disorders. AAT Research in conjuction with; University of California. USA. 2013.

[7] Trevisan, A., Cavallari, P., Caruana, N., Micallef, R and Attard, F.Real-time sonified neurofeedback stimulation for the management & relaxation of patients on the autism spectrum. Journal of Brain Stimulation. Vol 8(2). March – April 2015.

[8] Neurotech International. ‘Clinical Trial: 12-week therapy session for initial cohort of subjects in US clinical trial nearing completion”.ASX market announcement dated: 29 May 2017.

[9] Neurotech International. ‘Clinical Trial Preliminary Outcomes: Outstanding preliminary results from US clinical study’, ASX market announcement dated: 27 September 2017.

[10] Neurotech International. ‘Neurotech Presentation at Cambridge Conference: Neurotech presentations at academic research conference in Cambridge, UK’, ASX market announcement dated: 28 September 2017.