TympaHealth
The Tympa system is the world’s first all-in-one ear and hearing healthcare assessment device, bringing together three different diagnostic and treatment systems into one hand-held portable system. Tympa provides high-definition digital otoscopy for examinations, microsuction for wax and debris removal and a hearing screening test.
The Tympa system’s unique ‘Remote Review’ feature, enables healthcare providers to access advice and guidance services from Audiologists and ENT surgeons, if a second opinion is required.
Scroll down for our interview with the founder:
Interview with:
Dr Krishan Ramdoo, CEO & Founder
Why did you start TympaHealth?
The inspiration for Tympa came when a patient of mine visited the elderly care ward I was on. She was treated for an infection and following her treatment, she was still really confused and disengaged with the ward team and her family. As a budding ENT surgeon, I decided to look in her ears as I knew her symptoms could be associated with a possible hearing loss - it's also the biggest modifiable risk factor for prevention of dementia. When I looked in her ears, I saw a build-up of quite a lot of wax. I took her down to the ENT department and removed the wax and following that arranged for her to have her hearing tested. This showed that she had age-related hearing loss.
We got her fitted with a hearing aid and when I followed up with her six months’ later, she was a different lady. She was engaging with her family and even planning her 80th birthday! The impact that this simple intervention had made was huge, and it really got me thinking. As time went on, I was seeing more and more patients like this, who were going through long and disjointed pathways to see an ENT surgeon. Many patients could be treated much sooner by our allied health professionals if some straightforward checks were in place.
What has been your happiest moment so far as a startup founder?
Since we’ve launched TympaHealth, I’ve been excited to see its progression. In a very short period of time, the Tympa system has been used to treat more than 150,000 patients. As a doctor, knowing I’m making a positive impact with Tympa makes me very happy.
What is the most important thing you’ve learned to date?
Not to lose sight of what is at the heart of the business: the product. We’ve really focussed on our product and making sure the product market fit is right. It’s also important to realise that this is an ongoing process, and that the product is always evolving. But as long as you get the product right everything else should follow.
Are there any founders or companies you look up to?
To be honest, I mostly look to other companies going through a similar journey to me as opposed to those who have already achieved their goal. One such example is a company that is also in the KHP portfolio: MediShout. I speak to their founder, Ash Kalraiya, often and we both benefit from our conversations.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
Bandwidth and momentum! You want to keep the momentum but sometimes feel you don’t have enough bandwidth!
What is the quality you most admire in a colleague?
Humility. There’s no room for egos in our company.
What is your current state of mind?
Excited! Every founder has an underlying element of stress but I’m quite a calm person and can deal with it fairly well. But as we move into our next phase the overriding feeling is that of excitement.
What has your experience been like so far as an NHS Clinical Entrepreneur?
It’s always difficult to innovate within a system but we’ve managed to do it and I think it’s very positive that we’re seen as a good case study for innovation within the NHS.
Why did you decide to partner with KHP Ventures?
They have strong relationships with the NHS and we see those as key to helping Tympa scale, so that more people can have access to ear and hearing healthcare.
Looking to the future, what do you hope Tympa Health will achieve?
To truly democratise ear and hearing health across the world. To get it right in countries like the UK and the US, so that we can deliver a service in lower and middle income countries, and provide a service and specialists to which they haven’t previously had access.