March 05, 2024

Making America e-smart - Digitising public life in the US

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Digitising public life in the US – making America e-smart

Many governments and local authorities around the world have moved many, if not all their public services online, from filing tax returns to e-passports and food assistance schemes. However, the United States is lagging behind, with many civic services providing lengthy and user-unfriendly systems. CEO of Code for America, the nonprofit social organisation that’s bringing about much of this digital change in public life, Amanda Renteria explains why the US needs to make e-access to its public services easier.

Train your brain to overcome tinnitus with an app

A new app, called MindEar can reduce the impact of tinnitus in just a few weeks. It uses sound, relaxation and cognitive behaviour therapy which can be accessed through a smart phone. It’s estimated that up to one in four people may have the condition worldwide and the cause of this debilitating buzzing or ringing sound is still unknown. Current treatments are expensive and hard to come by. But this new chatbot app helps train your brain’s reaction to the sound, tuning out the tinnitus. Scientists from Australia, New Zealand, France and Belgium report the findings in the journal Frontiers in Audiology and Otology. The lead author and co-founder of MindEar app, Dr Fabrice Bardy, is on the show.

The programme is presented by Gareth Mitchell and the studio expert is Ghislaine Boddington.

More on this week's stories:

Code for America

Amanda Renteria

Cognitive behavioral therapy and telepsychology in tinnitus via an app

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Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz

Production Manager: Liz Tuohy

Recording and audio editing : Lansons | Team Farner

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