New University of Michigan Tinnitus Discovery — Signal Timing
- Thread starter Hudson
- Start date
Member- Sep 8, 2022
- 52
- Tinnitus Since
- 11/2020
- Cause of Tinnitus
- loud noise/construction
I still believe that since the University of Michigan owns the patent for this device, their Innovation Partnership might be leading efforts to bring it to market.
However, I worry that, like many university departments, the University of Michigan's Innovation Partnership is severely underfunded and understaffed. This is a press release the Innovation Partnership released last year about the device.
The funding situation for university inventions looks dismal. For example, their "up to $250,000 for mid-stage funding" program is a drop in the bucket. To put that into perspective, my company spent a minimum of $25 million per year, and likely closer to $200 million, developing an all-digital application over two years. A device like this should have at least a few million dollars behind it. A small startup of 12 people could easily burn through $250,000 in just a few weeks.
I also think organizations like Spotify, Capitol Records, or others in the music industry could easily pitch in funding. They would stand to gain goodwill with musicians and fans who suffer from tinnitus. The minimal funding offered by the university would only make sense if it functions like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, offering support to somewhat risky but potentially profitable technologies to encourage private investment. It cannot be the primary investment itself; it must serve as a seal of approval to signal to real investors that this project is worth supporting. I wonder how much we would need as angel investors to influence the University of Michigan and get this moving.
Another thought: Does Tim Walz know about this device? Regardless of politics, he is a well-known figure, a veteran suffering from tinnitus, and the governor of a state renowned for its medical innovation. See this and this for context. While governors do not hand out grants, Walz's network could help connect Dr. Shore's device with medical investors, companies, and individuals who could accelerate its development. Why are we not lobbying him? We should all be camping outside his office to get a few minutes of his time and make him aware of this device.
The lack of awareness is a real issue. If the last three audiologists I visited, including one who is a professor, were unaware of Dr. Shore's device, I doubt Walz knows about it either.
However, I worry that, like many university departments, the University of Michigan's Innovation Partnership is severely underfunded and understaffed. This is a press release the Innovation Partnership released last year about the device.
The funding situation for university inventions looks dismal. For example, their "up to $250,000 for mid-stage funding" program is a drop in the bucket. To put that into perspective, my company spent a minimum of $25 million per year, and likely closer to $200 million, developing an all-digital application over two years. A device like this should have at least a few million dollars behind it. A small startup of 12 people could easily burn through $250,000 in just a few weeks.
I also think organizations like Spotify, Capitol Records, or others in the music industry could easily pitch in funding. They would stand to gain goodwill with musicians and fans who suffer from tinnitus. The minimal funding offered by the university would only make sense if it functions like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, offering support to somewhat risky but potentially profitable technologies to encourage private investment. It cannot be the primary investment itself; it must serve as a seal of approval to signal to real investors that this project is worth supporting. I wonder how much we would need as angel investors to influence the University of Michigan and get this moving.
Another thought: Does Tim Walz know about this device? Regardless of politics, he is a well-known figure, a veteran suffering from tinnitus, and the governor of a state renowned for its medical innovation. See this and this for context. While governors do not hand out grants, Walz's network could help connect Dr. Shore's device with medical investors, companies, and individuals who could accelerate its development. Why are we not lobbying him? We should all be camping outside his office to get a few minutes of his time and make him aware of this device.
The lack of awareness is a real issue. If the last three audiologists I visited, including one who is a professor, were unaware of Dr. Shore's device, I doubt Walz knows about it either.
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