Ear check application to help detect early dementia

13 Sept 06:21 Key points summarised by AI

The new EarTest by Eartone application offers free, convenient at-home hearing checks for Thais using just earphones and a smartphone, designed to detect hearing issues early.
Crucially, the app aids in the early detection of dementia risk, as WHO research highlights a significantly higher risk among individuals with untreated hearing problems, emphasizing the importance of timely intervention.
Developed by Thai medical and physics specialists with international collaboration from institutions like the Royal Academy of Engineering UK and UCL, the app utilizes virtual reality to simulate soundproof audiology tests, ensuring accuracy and reliability.
This innovation addresses Thailand's aging population by providing accessible early diagnosis, is available for free download on iOS and Android, and exemplifies successful research application and multilateral partnership in public health.

Examining Thailand’s four-part education revolution

Today 14:22 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's Education Ministry is implementing a four-pronged strategy to address its students' below-average performance in PISA 2025 and tackle significant educational inequality.
The plan prioritizes closing performance gaps by increasing funding for small and low-income schools, overhauling the curriculum to foster critical thinking, and adopting a data-driven management system to reduce teacher workload.
Key initiatives include enhancing school safety, combating cyberbullying, and expanding mental health support through peer-to-peer networks, recognizing the severe impact of distress on academic performance.
An education expert advises verifying if PISA improvements stem from structural changes, advocating for a revived STEM curriculum with practical 'learn by doing' methods, and urging bureaucratic reform to link teacher evaluations to student development.