| Concepting a new aesthetic for hearing device design. The heardrop allows interchangeable stones, embedded battery and press program switching all while following the flow of the human ear. |
Defining the Area of Improvement Visde narrowed in on the hearing aid industry to create innovation that enhances the user experience, and increases visibility and social acceptance of hearing aid products. This is an ongoing project that began with a focus on the hardware side to make hearing aids easy to use. The immediate goal was to look at alternative ways of creating an open fit behind-the-ear style hearing aid that not only meets user needs and expectations, but is comfortable, hidden and is attractive to women, reducing the negative stigma associated with wearing hearing aids. |
|
Design Research Field research included interviews with individuals suffering from various severity of hearing loss, aged 32-94, that own and do not own hearing aids. User research consisted of the types of hearing aids used, usage information, activities and situations where hearing aids were helpful and annoying, maintenance processes and perceptions of the hearing aid itself. Also pictured is a whiteboard matrix and a formal table of hearing aid user research gathered from user interviews. A sample of sketches below portray a few different concepts on ways a hearing aid can be worn, especially as a jewelry piece. Currently, the hearing aids that dominate the market are non-rechargeable behind-the-ear style, commonly referred to as BTE. The rechargeable are still relatively rare and far too expensive for most. Hear Drops gives users a comfortable low cost open fit BTE, disguised in the form of a stud earring. Not only does this design free up space behind the ear typically reserved for wearing glasses and/or sunglasses, users can enjoy their daily activities in life without worrying about losing the ear pieces. Hear Drops enables the user to personalize them with interchangeable stones, that easily snap into place to match a womans clothing/mood. The battery compartment is tucked directly underneath the stone for easy replacement. |
|
Final Concept The organic shape of the earring harmoniously blends in with the body, allowing users to wear their hearing aids with pride and confidence. Its small size and strategic placement virtually hides the hearing aid, thus camouflaging the aid. Program settings can be easily changed by gently pressing the stone. Pressing it down for more than three seconds will power the hearing aid on and off. Interchangeable stones come in a variety of colors and textures for personalization. |