Communication Aid for the Hearing

Transcription

Communication Aid
for the
Hearing-Impaired
TAN CHEK TEE
993874W20
2
COMMUNICATION AID
FOR THE
HEARING IMPAIRED
TAN CHEK TEE
A THESIS REPORT SUBMITTED FOR
THE DEGREE OF BA (INDUSTRIAL DESIGN)
DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE
NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE
2003
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ABSTRACT
Hearing-impaired people are faced with a dilemma. They are mistaken for deaf people but in
fact they are not deaf, just hard of hearing. However this misconception seems to spread
subconsciously even into the design of communication products. Most of these products are
simply unusable by the hearing impaired or not compatible.
Not being able to use the cell phone or listen to the walkman might not be a big deal 5 or 10
years ago but nowadays both cell phones and personal portable audio devices have become
so ingrained into our everyday life that they have became a necessity. Just imagine for a
moment that suddenly you have acquired a sever hearing loss and you can no longer listen to
your favorite CD just because your hearing aid is not compatible with the CD-player; or that
you can no longer work to the best of your capabilities because your hearing aid is not
compatible with your cellphone and you can not hear what your client is saying. This is more
than enough impetus to drive me forward in this thesis.
Designing a communication product for the hearing impaired to fit into the modern way of life
is a challenge as well a fulfillment of a designer’s social responsibility in creating a Universal
society . The communication aid is not simply a product that allows the hearing impaired to
achieve normalcy but also a means to erase the perceived gap between the hearing impaired
and the ‘normals’. By designing a common universal product usable by both the normals and
the hearing impaired, I hope to erase the stigma faced everyday by the hearing impaired and
improve their quality of life.
This thesis is intended to be a set of guidelines in aid of the design of assistive products in
general and the design of a communication device for the hearing-impaired in specifics. The
need to design assistive products that appeals to the people who need them grows ever
stronger as the gulf of design semantics and style between assistive products and ‘normal’
products grow ever wider. There has to be a rethink in the strategy of designing for the
hearing-impaired, to prevent them from getting more marginalized than they currently are in
our society.
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Content
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ABSTRACT
01
INTRODUCTION
01.1
02
pg.8
Problem Statement
01.2
Background
01.3
Goal
01.4
Strategy
RESEARCH
pg.10
02.1
Methodology and Direction
02.2
Hearing-Impaired (Client)
02.2.1 Physiology
02.2.2 Profile
02.2.3 Market Size
02.2.4 Desires
02.3
Audiology (Assistive Technology)
02.3.1 Hearing Aids
02.3.2 Implant vs. Conventional Aids
02.3.3 Peripherals
02.3.4 Bone Conduction
02.4
Technological Trends
02.4.1 Miniaturization and Integration
02.4.2 Wearable Electronics
02.4.3 Smart Materials
02.4.4 Personal Audio
02.4.5 Summary of Technology
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ANALYSIS
pg.29
03.1
Opportunity Identification
03.2
Summary of Requirements
03.2.1 Functional Analysis
03.2.2 Usage Scenario
03.3
Market Positioning
03.4
Market Segmentation
03.4.1 Professionals
03.4.2 Fashion/Opinion Leaders
03.4.3 Sports-Active
03.4.4 Children
03.4.5 Senior Citizens
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PROPOSED CONCEPT DIRECTIONS
04.1
pg.33
Direction 1
04.1.1 Unique Selling Point(s)
04.1.2 Scenario(s)
04.1.3 Description
04.2
Direction 2
04.2.2 Scenario(s)
04.2.3 Description
04.3
Direction 3
04.3.2 Scenario (s)
04.3.3 Description
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EVALUATION
pg.42
05.1
Evaluation Criteria
05.2
Evaluation
FINAL PROPOSED CONCEPT DIRECTION
DESIGN BRIEF
06.1
Unique Selling Point(s)
06.2
Scenario(s)
06.3
Description
pg.44
pg.46
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DESIGN CONCEPTS
pg.49
08.1
Rational of Concept Development Process
08.2
Concept Development Stage 1
08.2.1 Proposal 1
08.2.2 Proposal 2
08.2.3 Proposal 3
08.2.4 Stage 1 Evaluation
08.3
08.3.1 Proposal 1
08.3.2 Proposal 2
08.3.3 Proposal 3
08.3.4 Proposal 4
08.4
08.4.1 Proposal 1
08.4.2 Proposal 2
08.4.3 Proposal 3
08.5
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Testing models and Overall Concept Evaluation
FINAL CONCEPT
pg.81
09.1
Final Concept Schematics
09.2
Family of Products
09.3
Additional Usage Scenarios
09.3.1 Bluetooth Connectivity
09.3.2 Audio Playback
09.4
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Strategic Market Implementation
CONCEPT ASSESMENT
10.1
Consumer Appeal
10.2
Features
10.3
Functions
10.4
User Acceptance
10.5
Organisation
10.6
Regulatory Framework
10.7
Conclusion
pg.91
REFERENCES
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A
Supplement
Ergonomics Data
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01.1
INTRODUCTION
Problem Statement
Current hearing aids (behind-the-ear) are not compatible to the modern way of life.
Incompatibility to cell phones due to signal interference (technology), incompatibility with
outdoor activities (not secures enough to go trekking with or waterproof enough to do sea
sports). As a result of its limitations in technology and current design, many activities, both
work and leisure, are restricted from the hearing impaired.
01.2
Background
All hearing aids are based on the principle of sound amplification from the surrounding
into the ear. From the earliest ear trumpet (circa 1700s) to the most advance digital
hearing aids, most hearing aids are worn around the ear because the amplified sound is
transmitted through the ear. However, there is an alternative to hearing via the ear (also
known as conductive hearing). The alternative is known as Bone Conductive hearing (also
known as Bone Resonance Hearing). Bone Conduction works when the sound waves are
passed through the skull and/or jaw as vibrations, directly stimulating the auditory nerves
in the inner ear, totally by-passing the outer and middle (ear drums) ear. Bone Conductive
hearing presents an alternative hearing method that allows hearing aid to be designed
away from the ear.
01.3
GOAL
To achieve by design, a non-surgical implant solution that empowers the hearing-impaired
to freedom of activities like any regular person without any stigmatization.
01.4
DESIGN STRATEGY
The design will be guided by 3 main tenets and they are, Universal Design, Normalcy and
Portability.
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Universal Design is the design of products and environment to be usable by all people, to
the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design.1
Normalcy is to help the disabled, in this case the hearing-impaired, to attain independent
living without any stigmatization.
Portability is the attribute that determines how easy a product can be carried and brought
along by the user and also implies usability on the move.
Design Strategy Schematics
1
Ronald L. Mace, Design Intervention: Toward a More Humane Architecture,
W.E. Preiser, JC. Vischer, E.T. White (Eds.). Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1991
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02.1
RESEARCH
Methodology and Direction
The research phase is conducted using literature research that includes internet-based
resources; interviews conducted with professionals in the audiology discipline and personal
observations/ field study. Experimentation follows with the making of models for usability and
ergonomic testing.
Research is starts from the macro level, which covers the background, trends, market
segmentation and positioning etc to the user micro level, which pertains more to user profiles,
human factors and usability issues.
The research directions are as follows:
1. Hearing-Impaired
2. Audiology
3. ICT Trends
The remainder of this chapter shall cover each direction in depth.
02.2
Hearing-Impaired
02.2.1 Physiology of hearing
In normal hearing, sound passes along the ear canal to the eardrum making it vibrate. These
vibrations are then passed to the 3 small bones in the middle ear, the ossicles. This process is
called air conduction. These vibrations are then passed across the oval window to the cochlea
and the fluid it contains. Movement in this fluid bends the tiny hair cells along the length of the
cochlea, generating signals in the auditory nerve. The nerve signals are then passed on to the
brain, which interprets them as sound.
The conventional hearing aid amplifies sounds and delivers them to the ear canal. These
amplified sound are then heard through air conduction, in the normal way.
Figure
1: Mechanics of hearing. Source: RNID Factsheets, 2002
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fig 1: The ear. Source: RNID Factsheet 2002.
There are basically 2 main kinds of deafness: Conductive deafness and sensorineural
deafness. Conductive deafness occurs when sound cannot pass through the outer or the
middle ear. Sensorineural deafness occurs when the cause of the deafness is in the cochlea
or in the auditory hearing nerve. Hearing aids are more often used in aiding patients suffering
from sensorineural hearing losses. Conductive hearing loss are often rectified by minor
surgeries or by medication.
The commonest cause of acquired hearing loss is ageing. Some illnesses, such as mumps,
measles and meningitis, and severe head injuries may also cause deafness. Very loud noises
of any kind – for example machinery, explosions or repeated exposure to loud music – may
also cause hearing loss.
There are other reasons for deafness. One or two children per thousand are born with
significant, permanent deafness. Of these, an estimated 50% have a moderate loss, and 50%
are severely or profoundly deaf. There are many reasons why a child may be born with a
hearing loss – over 90% of deaf children are born into families where both parents have good
hearing.
02.2.2 Profiles
Deafness can be categorized into 4 categories2 and they are: Mild deafness, Moderate
deafness, Severe deafness and Profound deafness. Hearing loss is usually measured by
finding the quietest sounds someone can hear using tones with different frequencies but
2
As defined by both American Medical Association and Royal National Institute of Deafness (RNID) UK, 2002
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heard at different pitches. The person tested is asked to respond, usually by means of
pressing a button, when he or she can hear a tone. The level of tone will be adjusted until they
can just hear it. This level is called the threshold.
Thresholds are measured in units called dbHL (decibels, dB, hearing level, HL). Anyone with
threshold level between 0 and 20 dbHL across all audible frequencies is considered to have
‘normal’ hearing. The higher the threshold level, the worse is the hearing loss.
Mild Deafness – People with mild deafness have some difficulty following speech, mainly in
noisy situations. The quietest sounds they can hear in their better ear average between 25dB
to 39dB.
Moderate Deafness – People with moderate deafness have in following a speech without a
hearing aid. The quietest sounds they can hear in their better ear average between 40dB to
69dB.
Severe Deafness – People with severe hearing loss rely a lot on lip-reading, even with a
hearing aid. The sign language might be their preferred language. The quietest sound they
can hear in their better ear average between 70db to 94dB.
Profound Deafness – People who are profoundly deaf communicate by lip-reading. The sign
language might be their preferred language. The quietest sounds they can hear in their better
ear average 95dB or more.
02.2.3 Facts and figures
There is currently no compiled data on the total number people there are in the world. World
Health Organisation has just started their survey and is expected to be completed in late
20033. The only data available is from Royal National Institute of Deafness (RNID), United
Kingdom. They have released yearly figures and the figures in this report are based on
information released on September 2002.
There are estimated to be about 8.7 million deaf and hard of hearing people in the UK. The
number is rising as the population ages. About 673,000 of these are severely or profoundly
deaf.
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Sensory Impairment Survey Initiative, World Health Organisation, 2002.
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Most of the 8.7 million deaf and hard of hearing people in the UK have developed a hearing
loss, as they get older. This is a natural aging phenomenon. Only about 2% of young adults
are deaf or hard of hearing. Conversely, around 55% of people above 60 are deaf and hard of
hearing.
Table 1: Estimated percentages of the UK population who are deaf or hard of hearing
United Kingdom
16-60 years
61-80 years
81+ years
Mild deafness
4.6%
28.1%
18.4%
Moderate deafness
1.6%
16.5%
57.9%
Severe deafness
0.2%
1.9%
13.2%
Profound deafness
0.1%
0.4%
3.6%
All degrees of deafness
6.6%
46.9%
93.2%
Source: RNID Information, September 2002
Table 2: Estimated numbers of deaf and hard of hearing adults in the UK
United Kingdom
16-60 years
Over 60 years
Total
Mild/moderate deafness
2,213,0000
5,754,000
7,967,000
Severe/profound
102,000
571,000
673,000
2,315,000
6,326,000
8,640,000
deafness
All degrees of deafness
Source: RNID Information, September 2002
02.2.4 Hearing Impaired Users’ desires (in general )
The hearing-impaired are generally satisfied with the assistive products that are currently
available. However there are still desires4 left unfulfilled and they are follows:
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Compiled from personal communications with Singapore Deaf Association.
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1.
Rejection of Medical Aesthetics found commonly in assistive products. They feel
that the medical aesthetics tend to stigmatize them, highlighting their own
disabilities.
2.
They want to be able to use the same products as ‘normal’ people and not special
products. Most mildly deaf patients do not feel that they are disabled and thus
want to use ‘normal’ products
3.
They want products that instead of hiding their disabilities proclaim it to the world.
The products should be a statement of their spirit of independence and will power
to lead lives.
4.
They want to be able to participate in activities that are culturally and traditionally
barred from them such as sea sports and outdoor trekking.
02.3
Audiology
Audiology is the science of identification, assessment, habilitation/ rehabilitation of people with
auditory and vestibular impairments and the prevention of such impairments.
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02.3.1 Hearing Aids
A hearing aid is essentially a device that amplifies sound so that the hearing-impaired are able
to hear better in many situations and make conversation easier.
There are different types hearing aids and they are classified by the way they are worn. They
are namely, the body worn (BW), behind-the-ear (BTE), in-the-ear (ITE) or in-the-ear canal
(ITEC)
Figure 2: Conventional Hearing aids (left to right) : ITEC circa 1980s, ITC circa 1970s, Digital
BTE circa 1990s Source from www.soundandfury.com
Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids have an ear mould, which sits inside your ear. The
hearing aid itself rests behind your ear and a plastic tube connects it to the ear mould. They
are the most common type of hearing aid and most people who get NHS hearing aids get one
of these.
In-the-ear (ITE) and in-the-canal (ITC) aids have their working parts in the ear mould so the
whole aid fits into your ear. They tend to need repairing more often than BTE aids. Some ITE
aids can be seen from the side. The smallest canal aids fit right inside your ear canal, where
they cannot be seen. If you have severe hearing loss, or very small ear canals, canal aids will
probably not suit you.
Body-worn hearing aids consist of a small box that you clip to your clothes or put in your
pocket. It is connected by a lead to an earphone and ear mould. They are not often used but
are less fiddly than smaller types. Some body-worn aids are very powerful. Bone conduction
hearing aids are for people with conductive hearing loss or people who cannot wear a
conventional hearing aid. They deliver sound through the skull by vibrations. One type
involves a small operation behind the ear to fix a vibrating part.
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CROS/BiCROS hearing aids are for people with no hearing in one ear. CROS hearing aids
feed sound from the side with no hearing to the good ear. BiCROS aids amplify sound from
both sides and feed it into the ear that has some hearing.
Disposable hearing aids may be an option for you if you are wondering if a hearing aid will
help you. They are suitable only for people with mild to moderate hearing loss. They can be
thrown away when the battery runs out, usually after six weeks. You can buy them from some
branches of Boots, the high street chemist.
Waterproof and water-resistant hearing aids are hearing aids that have a thin membrane to
stop water – but not sound – getting into the aid. Waterproof aids are suitable for swimming
and water-resistant ones for other water-sports
They may also be described according to the technology they use to process sound, analogue
or digital. Analogue aids are older and is the most commonly in used at the moment5.
Analogue aids are essentially sound amplifiers that picked up sounds and amplify them into
the ears of the hearing-impaired. Digital aids contain a tiny computer that can be tailored to
suit the user or the situation the user is in.
As well as these types of hearing aids, there are also implantable hearing systems, devices
that are surgically fixed inside the ears (middle ear implants, cochlea implants) as well as
those anchored on the skull (Bone Anchored Hearing Aid). These hearing aids are generally
more expensive and require higher level of maintenance. Surgical implants are generally
reserved for patients with severe hearing lost and not for patients suffering from mild to
moderate hearing lost6.
02.3.2 Implants vs. Conventional Aids7 (non-implant)
5
according to a RNID survey conducted in 2001, most of the hearing aids used in the UK are analogue ones,
however the digital ones are gaining in popularity due to decrease in price and higher funcationality.
6
All you need to know about hearing aids, RNID Factsheet, 2002.
7
Compiled from wide range of sources including RNID Factsheet 2002, Siemens Hearing web-page:
www.hearing.siemens.com, Oticon wep-page: www.oticon.com as well as interviews with Singapore Deaf Association
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Table 3: Advantages of both types of hearing aids. Source: RNID information Sept 2002
Implant
1. Invisible on the outside
2. Usable by patients with incomplete
or malformed ears or ear canals
Non-Implant
1. Cheaper compared to surgical
implants.8
2. Easier to maintain
3. Less prone to ear canal infection
3. Less Fragile
4. May used by patients with eczema
4. Longer Battery Lifespan ~250 hours
in the ear canal
5. Own voice does not sound
5. Easy to remove to send for repairs if
needed
unnaturally loud because ear canal
is not blocked (unlike conventional
aids)
6. Less prone to whistling (feedback)
Table 4: Disadvantages of both types of hearing aids. Source: RNID information Sept 2002
Implant
Non-Implant
1. Risk of surgery
1. Not water-proof only splash proof
2. Very pricey
2. Visibility of hearing aid a cause of
3. Effects of long term used on body
is not well studied.
4. Unable to perform a brain scan
without having prior to detached
part of the hearing aid
5. Hearing is not ‘Back-to-normal’
after implant.
stigmatization (only for BTW, BTE
and ITE)
3. Have to remove when
bathing/showering
4. Mounting not secured enough for
sports and/or vigorous outdoor
activities.
6. Users have to be above 18.
5. Risk of Ear Canal Infection
7. Have to remove external audio
6. Not suitable for patients with
processor when showering
8. Shorter Battery lifespan.
9. Incompatible with most cell phones.
malformed or deformed ears and/or
ear canals.
7. Incompatible with most cell phone
02.3.3 Peripherals
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Price of a digital BTE hearing aid is approx. 10 times less than a surgical implant – source from RNID Factsheet
2002.
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Besides the hearing aid itself, there are also other assistive listening devices to aid the
hearing impaired in everyday life.
Induction loop system
Induction loop system is a method of helping hearing aid users hear better in a variety of
venues, such as theatres, cinemas, places of worship, meeting rooms, conference halls and
lecture rooms. They can also be found in airports, shopping centers and bus and train stations.
The induction loop works by replacing the sound path between the sound source and the
listener with an inductive (magnetic) signal that acoustically and sonically independent. The
listener than uses an inductive receiver, found on most hearing aids, to convert the inductive
signal back to sound. The system enables users to hear from anywhere covered by the
system and people without a receiver are unaffected.
The inductive loop is a cable that encircles the audience area, be it conference hall or just
around a person. It is then fed by a loop amplifier that gets its signal by means of a direct
connection to a sound source (e.g. a microphone or an audio system). The resulting electric
current in the loop produces a magnetic field corresponding to the sound source. This
magnetic field can then be picked up by anyone in the area of the loop if they switched their
hearing aids to the ‘T’ (telecoil) setting.
Radio Aids
Radio aids are listening aids that improves the clarity of sound by allowing a human voice or
any other sound source to be fed electronically into the listening device.
Unlike the inductive loop system, there is no need for any infrastructure investment. All that is
needed a transmitter worn by the person speaking and a receiver worn by the listener. This
system is wireless, can be worn discreetly and allows for complete freedom of movement.
This system is compatible hearing aids, implants as well as headphones.
02.3.4 Bone Conduction Aids
Bone conduction of sound is heard when sound vibrations are transmitted directly from the
skull and jawbones, skipping the outer and middle ears. People can always hear their own
voice through this process. Hearing through bone conduction however is not as efficient as air
conduction but it is a possibility for people who are unable to hear in the air conduction
method.
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There are 2 main types of bone conduction hearing aid, the traditional type and the implanted
Bone-Anchored Hearing Aid9 (BAHA)
Traditional bone conduction aids transmit sound to the ear via a vibrating pad located behind
the ear. A head band is usually worn to keep the pad in place. Sometimes, the aid can also be
fitted inside the spectacles. The vibrating pads have to be held tightly to the head in order for
effective sound transmission, thus these aids are generally uncomfortable to wear. Side
effects include headache and soreness from the pressure of the vibrating pads.
Figure 3: Traditional headband (BAHA) Source: www.entific.com
Bone-Anchored Hearing Aid (BAHA) is an implantable alternative to the traditional bone
conduction aid. A BAHA consists of a titanium implant that is inserted directly into the mastoid
bone, just behind the ear in a process called osseointegration. A screw is connected to this
fixture through the skin.
Source: RNID Factsheets, 2002
The external part of the BAHA contains a microphone, battery and processor is then
connected to the screw. Sound vibration is picked up by the microphone and transmitted via
the mastoid bone to the cochlea.
The advantage of this method is that users generally report fewer ear canal infections or
soreness and very little feedback from the BAHA as compared with an air conduction aid10.
9
Pioneered by Entific Medical Pte Ltd in 1970s
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Sound quality is also better due to the fact that the vibration is transmitted directly to the bone
and not through the skin.
02.4
Technological Trends
Technology has been forging forward in recent years and there are several dominant trends.
These trends will now be discussed.
02.4.1 Miniaturization and Integration
Research done by Philips Design in 199711 indicate that consumers wanted to
connected and equipped with tools for every possible use, without the inconvenience
of having to carry around multiple devices. Consumers also associate miniaturization
with sophistication and progress, and were demanding smaller products with an
increasing array of functionality.
In another separate survey conducted by CEA Market Research titled Convergence in
the Consumer Electronics Industry in 1999 found that when wireless phone owners
were asked about their preferences for converged versus stand-alone products, more
than half wanted a combination wireless phone and personal digital assistant (PDA),
in other words, a PDA with wireless connectivity12
Since the 1st Palm Pilot in 1997, manufacturers have added more features into their
PDAs in order to differentiate them from their competitors. This has changed PDAs
from an electronic organizer into a 2-way interactive wireless communication device
with cell phone features, email and Internet access, digital imaging, games, GPS
navigation, e-Commerce shopping unit and streaming audio and video. Ipaq by
Compaq and Handspring Treo are just 2 out of the many examples available in the
market now. Mobile phone manufactures like Nokia and Motorola also introduced
Mobile phones with PDA-like functions. (Nokia Communicator and Motorola Accompli)
02.4.2 Wearable Electronics
In 1997, Philips initiated the New Nomads project which looked at the integration of
electronics into clothing. Wearable electronics in itself is not a new idea. The MIT
10
Bone Conduction Hearing Aid, RNID Factsheets, 2002.
Marzano, Green, van Heerden, Mama, Eves, 2000. New Nomads: an exploration of wearable electronics by
st
Philips.1 ed 010.
12
.5 Technologies to watch, CEA Market Research, Aug 2002
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Media Labs had been studying into the possibility of ‘wearable computing’ with their
efforts culminating in the MIThril. The MIThril. The vision of MIThril is to create a “truly
functional, wearable and flexible research platform for context aware wearable
computing research”13. For Philips however, the focus is on consumer electronics
application. The result of this project are 5 proposed wearable applications: perform digital suits for professional business people
work out – electronic sportswear
enjoy – interactive playsuits for kids
connect – wired streetwear for youth
embody – enhanced body care and adornment
source: New Nomad: an exploration of wearable electronics by Philips, 010
Publishers, 2000
Figure 4 : MIThril (source: MIT Media Labs)
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Figure 5 :Interative playsuits for kids (source: Philips Design)
On 25th of July, 2002, Infineon AG of Germany announced the successful
development of a 30 x 30mm audio module that can be woven into clothing with
ribbons of conductive wire. The module includes a 5 x 5 mm Controller unit, MMC
card which can store up to 4 gigabyte worth of data, earphones, microphone and
13
The MIThril Vison, MIT Media Labs. online. available from: http://www.media.mit.edu/wearable/mithril/vision.html
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touch sensor switches14. This is the first product that is designed to be integrated into
clothing, along the lines dictated by Philips Design’s New Nomad project.
Frog Design and Motorola today unveiled the "Offspring"15 concept design for a set of
wearable devices. The individual pieces communicate via Bluetooth. A central device
- the WDA - serves as the hub, and provides a wireless connection to an iDEN
network. The design is only a concept at this point, although Motorola is preparing for
user testing, and plans to bring a product based on the design to market within two
years.
Figure 6: Offspring 2003, (Frog design) Source: www.frogdesign.com
Combining the results of pervasive-computing research at MIT Media Lab with
Motorola’s iDEN® technology has enabled frog to design an array of compatible
modular wirelessly connected devices that may provide unprecedented interaction
with the users. The futuristic devices include: glasses, ear buds, digital cameras,
pens, and wrist bands.
The family of futuristic products utilizes the latest advances in miniaturization and
wireless connectivity technology to enable entertainment, business, and securityrelated communications and broadband applications. The devices each have an
independent power source and memory, and are individually designed to be worn as
fashionable accessories. The futuristic family of modular devices is wirelessly
connected, allowing each device to share information with other devices and the user,
operating as a seamless personal network
Xybernaut Corporation introduced the POMA, a wearable multimedia computer in
2000. The POMA consist of a lightweight processor unit with a head-mount display.
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Eetimes, 25 July 2002, online. Available from: http://www.eetimes.com/sys/news/OEG20020723S0042
Frog Design Press Release March 10, 2003
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Figure 7:The Poma, Wearable PDA, 2000 . Source:
Xybernaut Corporation
0.2.4.3 Smart Materials
Textile
SOFTswitch Ltd is a company that develops a new technology that enables fabrics to
function as electronic interfaces. Essentially this means that soft flexible fabrics can
be used in place of conventional hard plastic keypads and switches. This technology
is called SOFTswitch and was first showcased at Tomorrows’ World Inventors Fair
2000, London. The range of prototypes on display demonstrated some potential
applications for SOFTswitch technology including a fabric musical keyboard,
computer control pads and wearable electronic interfaces16.
Figure 8: Burton Amp Jacket, 2002 Source: www.softswitch.co.uk
Magnetostrictive Material
Newsland Scientific Pte Ltd introduced the Feonic17 technology that powers the
Olympia Soundbug in 1995. Feonic utilizes a rare material Terfenol-D, a
magnetostrictive material originally developed by the US military for sonar
applications. When stimulated by a magnetic field, Terfenol-D expands and contracts
at a very high frequency and with dramatic force. The Soundbug harnessed this force
and transfers it to the surface to which the Soundbug is attached, vibrating the surface
and effective turning that surface into a sounding board. The Soundbug is
commercially available as of July 2002.
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17
Anon, 2000 SOFTswitch Ltd press release,
Anon, July 2002 Olympia press release
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Figure 9: Olympia Soundbug, 2002. Source: www.soundbug.com
O.2.4.4 Personal Audio
Brief History of Personal Audio
1963 - Philips demonstrated its first compact audio cassette using high-quality BASF
polyester 1/8-inch tape that ran at 1-7/8 ips; sold the next year in the U.S. with the
Norelco Carry-Corder dictation machine, but the demand for blank tape used for
personal music recording was unanticipated by Philips.
1979 - Sony introduced the TPS-L2 Walkman portable audio cassette player,
inaugurating a new era of personal music listening; the Sony family of portable
personal music players would grow to include over 500 models, from the original
pocket-sized 14-oz Walkman to the D-88 Pocket DiscMan of 1988 to the DAT
Walkman TCD-D3 of 1991 to the MiniDisc of 1992 to the digital Discman of 1999.
According to Sony's press release18, in the 20-year history of the Walkman devices,
100 million units were sold in the U.S. creating a $1 billion industry. By 1983, more
pre-recorded audio cassettes (236 million) were sold than LPs, a decline in the big
vinyl discs that was accelerated in the 1980s by the compact disc digital revolution.
1982 - first digital audio 5-inch CD discs marketed, merging the consumer music I
industry with the computer revolution
In 1992, Sony introduces the Mini-Disc as a true digital heir of the compact tape
cassette. The MD is a combination of the CD and the cassette: it is a digital storage
18
Anon, 1999, Sony Walkman Personal Stereo Turns 20 Years Old: The Evolution of Portable Audio's Past, Present
and Digital Future, Sony Press Release, 1999.
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media like the CD but also has the recordability of the cassette. Sony and
subsequently Panasonic and Sharp also introduced their MD portable personal audio.
In 1997, MP3.com is founded by Michael Robertson; MP3 is a digital file compression
format that is 12 times smaller than the CD file format (either WAV or Cda) while
retaining a reasonably high audio quality. Which the advent of the MP3, PPAS has
moved into a truly new domain where the physical size is much smaller due to the use
of solid state memory as the storage media. This shall be further elaborated in the
next section.
1997 also marks the beginning of Philips Design’s wearable electronics project. It is a
further development upon one of the themes explored by Philips Design’s earlier
project, ‘Vision of the Future’. Philips instigated a ‘fresh approach to future lifestyle
and fashion by creating a multi-disciplinary team to look at the integration of
electronics into clothing’19 Philips looked into a number of consumer electronic trends,
fashion design and consumer behavior and formed the backdrop to their Wearable
Electronics Project. Wearable Personal Audio is also one of the many applications
explored by Philips in addition to Personal Data Assistants (PDA) and body care
enhancing wearable products. The Philips Design New Nomad will be further
discussed in Case Study 2: New Nomads – A wearable electronics project by Philips
Design. The project ended in 2000 with the publication of a monograph by 010
publishers titled New Nomads: An exploration of wearable electronics by Philips.
In 1998, riding on the waves of the growing popularity of MP3 introduced in 1997,
Diamond Multimedia introduces the first portable MP3 player in the USA.
25th of July, 2002, Infineon AG of Germany announced the successful development of
a 30 x 30mm audio module that can be woven into clothing with ribbons of conductive
wire. The module includes a 5 x 5 mm Controller unit, MMC card that can store up to
4 gigabyte worth of data, earphones, and microphone and touch sensor switches20.
This is the first product that is designed to be integrated into clothing, along the lines
dictated by Philips Design’s New Nomad project.
19
Marzano. Green, van Heerden, Mama, Eves, 2000. New Nomads: An exploration of Wearable Electronics by
st
Philips. 1 ed. 010
20
EE Times 25 July 2002, online. Available from http://www.eetimes.com/sys/news/OEG20020723S0042
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July 2002 also witness the launch of Olympia’s Soundbug21. The Soundbug is a
portable alternative to loudspeakers or headphones. It can connect to most portable
audio player via the standard 3mm mini-jack and its suction cup to any hard glossy
surface. Once connected, the Soundbug utilizes the signal and creates a sounding
board out of the surface to which it is attached. The technology that enabled
Soundbug to function is known as Feonic technology created by Newsland Scientific
Pte Ltd in the United Kingdom.
Case Study: Sony Walkman
The Sony Walkman “completely changed the way the world enjoyed music, providing
a reliable and portable music source people could take anywhere”22 said Bob Neil.
vice president of personal audio marketing for Sony Electronics' Consumer Products
Marketing Group.
The Sony Walkman, introduced in 1979, empower users with the freedom to ‘enjoy
music anytime and anywhere”23. The success of the Walkman is dependent on 3 key
factors:
1. The Compact Cassette
2. Dry cell batteries
3. Lightweight stereo headphones
The smallness of the compact cassette allows smaller lightweight battery-operated
devices to be built, a dramatic reduction in size from the reel-tape players that are
briefcase sized.
Dry cell batteries provide enough power to operate the Walkman and it is cheap
enough to be disposable and easily replaced. The small AA and AAA size dry cell
allowed for small battery-operated devices to be built.
In order to achieve a substantial quality of playback while not compromising mobility
and portability of the Walkman, Sony R&D completed the development of H.AIR, a
compact stereo headphone that weighs less than 50 grams. Before H.AIR, the
headphones are bigger than the initial Walkman prototype.24
21
Anon, July 2002 ‘Tomorrow’s World Exhibition, Olympia press release. Online. Available from:
http://www.soundbug.biz/news.asp?lang=en
22 22
Anon, 1999, Sony Walkman Personal Stereo Turns 20 Years Old: The Evolution of Portable Audio's Past,
Present and Digital Future, Sony Press Release, 1999.
23
ibid
24
st
Kunkel. P, 1999, Digital Dreams: the work of the Sony Design Center,1 Ed Laurence King, 1999.
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The Walkman created for the first time a personal listening experience on the move.
“This is the product that will satisfy those young people who want to listen to music all
day. They will take it everywhere, and won’t care about not being able to record” –
Akio Morita (then chairman), February 1979
The Walkman defined the Portable Personal Audio and becomes the benchmark that
future Portable Personal Audio is measured up against.
The Walkman embodies the spirit of independence and freedom in music and mobility
and celebrates individual self-expression.
From hindsight, the Sony Walkman heralds a new age in portable consumer
electronics and changes the way of how people think of not only about music but also
about portability. Size does matter. That in itself is obvious; however the Sony
Walkman Case Study serves to highlight what are the enabling factors of audio
portable size. It is essentially the guide in designing for portability with the
identification of 3 key factors in the success of portable audio product technology,
power source, media and user interface dimensions.
The Walkman is also the first consumer electronic product to be so ingrained into the
personal life of a consumer, a cultural symbol universal worldwide; the first personal
lifestyle product. It has become the model of how future consumer electronic lifestyle
product should be designed and aspires to be.
Conclusion
The study of technological trends indicates the emergence and growing acceptance
and popularity of products of convergence. Products of convergence are defined as
products that perform a range of multi-disciplinary functions. A good example would
be the Sony Clio PDA. It is at the time, a personal organizer, a mini-computer, an
audio player, a mobile phone, a voice recorder and a digital image recorder at the
same time. A Nokia 3630 mobile phone also serves the host of multi-disciplinary
functions. The HP Pavilion Media Centre is a PC setup that also doubles up as an
entire home entertainment system. Soon there will be no more distinctions between
mobile phones, computers, audio players, television and cameras. All these will be
once-separated and discrete products will all be packaged as under-one-roof, into a
single lifestyle companion that nobody “should do without”. This indicate a paradigm
shift in the thinking first brought about by the digital revolution and cybernetics where
everything that we perceive, behind their facades are the same. They are all
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information, datum. This shift in thinking allows multi-disciplinary products to be
visualized and the progress in semi-conduction and wafer fabrication makes all this
possible.
The next shift in thinking of what a product should be comes with the idea of wearable
computing first mooted by MIT Media Labs back in the 1980s. The MITthril project is
the first attempt at ‘wearing’ the computer and even though it may appear crude to the
eyes now, it sets and defines the idea of wearable computing as a product that has
contextual awareness and is part of our everyday attire. The Nomad project by Philips
takes it a step further and integrates the lifestyle companion into our clothing, into
fashion and thereby rendering the product invisible. Motorola’s Offspring 2003 project
is not as radical in the sense of totally ‘disappearing’ the lifestyle companion but
integrating its various functions into its complimentary lifestyle product, such as a
watch and a pair of sunglasses.
It is almost certain that this trend of 10-in-1 lifestyle companions will continue with
more and more functions being co-op into a product, in the process creating an
electronic version of the lifestyle Swiss army knife. The physical appearance of this
new product might bear no semblance to its previous single-function-dedicatedproduct incarnation.
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03
03.1
ANALYSIS
Opportunity Identification
There is a fundamental problem facing Assistive products is that it is often not compatible with
mainstream consumer electronic products. Assistive products like hearing aid are designed
with for a very specific purpose often very functional. A hearing aid is design to assist the user
in hearing better and that is its primary purpose. However, the aspect of living and using the
product for a lifetime is often not very well addressed in current design solutions. Hearing aids
designs currently focused heavily on the fundamental aspect of hearing but overlooks softer
issues of such as lifestyles of the user and the socio-cultural effect of the hearing aid on the
hearing impaired. The problem with current aids stems from 2 aspects in its design.
Firstly, the technology used for hearing aid. Current hearing aid technology is very advanced
and very competent in performing its task effectively and efficiently. However, the problem lies
with the fact that the technology developed for hearing aids is developed without consideration
for integration with the mainstream consumer electronics. Hearing aids need to attach special
adaptors with their hearing aid to allow it function with cell-phones and personal audio
equipment making it a hassle for hearing aid users to integrate into ‘modern’ way of life.
Secondly, current hearing aids, even implants, do not support the hearing impaired leading an
active lifestyle. Only BTE hearing aids are waterproof25 but only against cleaning, perspiration
and rain, not for swimming or water sports. ITE and ITEC hearing aids are not waterproof and
some can only be wiped clean26 Hearing impaired are thus prevented to enjoy water-sports or
to do so at their own risk. Current design also doesn’t allow hearing impaired to engage in any
activity more vigorous than brisk walking27, thus sports such as rock climbing are out.
Hearing aid design can ‘borrow’ from consumer electronics as well as other genre of
consumer products in order to renew itself to stay relevant to the needs of the hearing
impaired.
25
Rion hearing aids from Japan. www.rion.co.jp
RNID factsheet 2002
27
ibid
26
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Figure
10 : Schematic
of synthesis of technology
03.2
Summary
of Requirements
03.2.1 Functional Analysis
Table 5: Functional Analysis of Hearing aid.
Primary Function – Assist in Hearing
Secondary Function – Empower the hearing-impaired
to lead a fulfilling life
1.
Hearing
1.
Use in Work
2.
Operation
2.
Use in Outdoor activities
3.
Maintenance
3.
Use in Social Function
4.
Visibility of product on the user
4.
Use for Leisure
03.2.2 Scenario
New hearing aid design has to be able to support the user activities for both work and leisure.
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03.3
Market Positioning
Current Product Matrix (based on perceived value and not on usability)
Digital BTE
Figure 11: Current Product Matrix
Most of the existing hearing aids are in the Traditional-Visible with only the newer Digital BTE
having more innovative styling with use of colors and materials.
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03.4
Market Segments (User Profiles)
Table 6: User Profiles
User
Professionals
Age group
20s – 40s
Profile
Desire
IT savvy knowledge
Able to communicate and work with
workers who require
digital assistant.
maximal communication
capability
Fashion Leaders
Teens to early
Nights out at the club or
Having the dilemma of wanting to be
40s
chilling out in a lounge to
able to hear and still be trendy but
be seen
doesn’t want to be seen with a
hearing aid.
Sports – Active
Children
Teens to 30s
0 – 12
From gym go-ers to
Able to engage in sports activities
snowboarders to hikers,
while still retaining sense of hearing,
members of the exercise
without fear of losing or damaging the
community
hearing aid.
Children growing up and
Help children accept their disability
learning to cope with
and prevent them from ‘sticking out’
their disability
from other children and getting
ostracized (parents’ desire)
Senior Citizens
> 55
A natural aging
To regain hearing capability that they
phenomenon, elderly
used to enjoy.
learning to cope with
failing in hearing.
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04
PROPOSED CONCEPT DIRECTIONS
Based on the analysis done in the previous chapter, 3 conceptual directions have been
explored and proposed.
04.1
Concept Direction 1
0.4.1.1 Unique Selling Point
Hearing aid users can do ‘multi-task’ hearing. Multi-task hearing refers to the ability to listen
both to the music as well as still be able to listen out to the surrounding.
For people with no hearing loss, this is often taken for granted. For them, it is simply a
question of volume level of their headphones. If they want to still hear the surrounding, they
just have to adjust the volume control till equilibrium is reached.
For the hearing-impaired, multi-task hearing is almost a dream come true. With the hearing
aid on, they can only hear one thing at a time and they have to make the choice. If they
choose to listen to the music, no matter what volume they adjust, they still cannot hear the
surrounding. At its most serious, this poses a safety hazard, at its least severe; it will be an
obstacle to conversation.
In order to achieve multi-task hearing, a bone conduction headphone has to be used. By using
the bone conduction headphone to play the music, the hearing aid can continue to be used to
listen to surrounding.
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04.1.2 Scenario
04.1.3 Description
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04.2
Concept direction 2
The 2nd concept direction makes use of an existing feature of most hearing aids, the ‘T’ coil, to
enable the hearing aid users to listen to music from a dedicated induction loop player.
04.2.1 Unique selling point
This concept incorporates the hearing aids as the control unit of an induction loop personal
audio system, making the control unit an accessory of the hearing aid.
This concept works by the induction loop method of converting audio signals into magnetic
field and reconvert back into audio signal by the hearing aid.
There are many advantages to this system. One of them is that the audio signal can be
shared by other hearing aid users with the ‘T-coil” function. This sharing function can be
incorporated into future headphones for non-hearing aid users and integrated into future
portable personal audio. Another advantage is that it is a wireless transmission of music and
it’s a lower cost solution compared to blue-tooth, being relatively ‘low tech’.
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04.2.2 Scenario
04.2.3 Description
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04.3
Concept Direction 3
Concept direction 3 pursues the aim of maximum low cost benefits for hearing aid users in the
form of add-on accessories to turn currently non-hearing aid friendly personal audio hearing
aid friendly.
04.3.1 Unique selling point
The unique selling point of this concept direction is that it is compatible with most personal
portable audio system.
A wireless transmitter (infra-red or radio wave) is plugged to the portable audio system via the
3mm headphone jack. Audio signal is goes from the audio system to the transmitter via the
3mm headphone jack and is then converted electronically and fed to a compatible hearing aid
or headphones.
This is a low cost solution compared to the previous 2 directions because the design solution
is an accessory to existing audio equipment. There is no need to invest in a new audio player
or special headphones if the user’s hearing aid is RF or IR compatible.
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04.3.2 Scenario
04.4.3 Description
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05
EVALUATION
From the 3 proposed concept directions, a final concept direction is to be derived after
evaluation.
05.1
Evaluation criteria
Evaluation is done based upon criteria set by the 3 main guiding tenets, Universal Design,
Normalcy and Portability. On top of that, users’ desires of the target user groups (hearingimpaired and fashion/opinion leaders) have to be taken into consideration as well.
The evaluation criteria is a follows:
Primary objective – A Universal solution that is usable by all.
Secondary objective – Normalcy is achieved.
Tertiary objective – Added functionalities such as audio playback that improves the quality of
life.
05.2
Evaluation result
Table 7: Results of Concept Directions evaluation
Concept
1
2
3
Primary (/100)
80
65
70
Secondary (/100)
75
60
65
Tertiary (/100)
50
60
60
Personal Bias
X
Concept direction 1 is chosen as the final conceptual direction because it ranked the highest
amongst the 3 concepts.
Concept 1 scores the highest for the primary category because it is truly the only direction that
provides a universal audio solution to everyone without the hearing-impaired having to adapt
to ‘regular’ consumer electronic products or vice versa. Concept 2 scored the lowest because
the “T-coil” function is only found presently in products designed for the hearing impaired.
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Concept 1 scores the highest for the secondary objective because normalcy is achieved when
the product used by both hearing impaired and the ‘regular’ consumers are the same. There is
nothing in the product that mark out the hearing impaired from the ‘regular’ consumer.
Concept 2 score the lowest because it cannot work without the hearing aid.
Concept 1 scores the lowest for tertiary objective because it’s the only concept not to feature a
wireless solution. Wired headphone’s cable management is an issue that most consumers
find a hassle according to Keith Tan, product designer, Philips Design, Audio group. (personal
communication, Oct 2002) and wireless feature seems to be a solution to wire hassles.
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06
FINAL PROPOSED CONCEPT DIRECTION
The final proposed concept is a refined version of the original concept 1.
06.1
Unique selling point(s)
Hearing-impaired: Enables the hearing impaired to have multi-task hearing.
Regular user: helps to prevent conductive loss due to long period of using conventional
earphones.
06.2
Scenarios
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06.3
Description
Current portable personal audio devices do not cater to the hearing impaired, forcing them to
adapt to devices not designed for them. A universal portable personal audio device designed
for the hearing impaired can be also be used by ‘regular’ people.
Hearing-impaired does not equate to deafness. Music is actually more easily understandable
than speech because of its varied frequency and usual intensity. Music helps the hearing
impaired enhance their residual auditory.
The targeted market segment will guide the form aesthetics of the design. The initial target
group when the product is launched will be the Fashion /opinion leader. The form aesthetics
will be a statement of independence and will power, synonymous with the hearing-impaired’s
desire of getting to terms with their disability and leading an independent life.
Using assistive technology in consumer electronics will incur a probable cost premium.
Positioning in the fashion/opinion leader segment helps to offset this cost as the market size
of this segment is larger than that of just the hearing-impaired, mild and moderate; the fashion
leaders are more willing to adopt, accept and pay a premium for new products; if the product
met with success with the fashion leaders, a trend might be started and influence the
mainstream element of the market.
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07
DESIGN BRIEF
The design objective is to achieve a communication device system for the hearing impaired
with functional expandability guided by the 3 tenets, Universal Design, Normalcy and
Portability.
Besides these 3 guiding principles, the design should also take other factors into
consideration.
Complexity
The functionality of various electronic devices is often complicated and inaccessible. Control
interfaces are codified and complex, and while these products promised to simplify our lives,
they tend to do the opposite and complicate our lives instead. And as they become smaller
and more complex (looking at the trend of mobile phones, PDAs and digital imaging devices)
they become too intricate to use. Less complex and codified and perhaps interface that are
adaptable and configurable are needed. One direction is wearable solutions were the device
have to adapt to the user’s preference and not the user adapting to a new complex interface
each time he/her uses a new device.
Human Factors
The ergonomics of using a hearing aid system has to be considered fully. How the system is
carried around, how is it being operated are all crucial to successful User Centered Design. If
the bone conduction technology is to be used, the method of securing the vibrating pad to the
skull or jawbone will be critical. Long-term usage has to be considered as well.
Fashion trends
To be able to follow the current fashion trends aid in predicting the future and set future trends.
Knowledge of this will help in designing for the fashion/opinion leaders, deciding in the
finishing style and material of the product. To be also able to determine what is the commonly
accepted style of fashion by the society now in order to design a product that is subtle enough
to be employed for everyday use and not just a design with shock value.
Technology Trends
Keeping abreast of latest developments in all fields of technology, not only on consumer
electronics will be useful. The wearable electronic solution is possible because of key
developments in smart textiles, microprocessor, battery and material innovations.
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Consumer Electronics Trends
It is always important to know where the industry is headed and who the possible competitors
are.
The above-mention factors are by no means exhaustive, but are key factors to consider
before arriving at the design solution.
Target user
Hearing impaired users suffering from mild to severe hearing impairment. However, the
design should not be limited for usage by only the hearing impaired. People who are not
hearing impaired should be able to use it as well.
Therefore the primary target users are patients suffering from mild to severe hearing
impairment between the ages of 13 to 60.
Operational consideration
Primary operational procedures for this product should be as simplified as possible, without
placing control totally beyond the user and into the hands of digital algorithms and artificial
intelligence.
Secondary operational procedures (actions not directly linked to the control and manipulation
of the device, egg. Maintenance) should be simplified without complex maneuvers.
Operation under alternative conditions (outside of urban context) are to be considered.
Manufacturing consideration
Origin of the key components (whether made in-house or outsourced), housing, cost of
assembly and extra tooling, cost of finishing are some of the manufacturing concerns.
Choice of material and the sustainability of the product has to be looked into as well.
Cost28
Currently the cost of a digital programmable BTE hearing aid ranges lies between USD 1999,
00 to USD 2399, 00. ITC and CIC hearing aids also lies in the upper limits of USD 2000, 00.
28
Price of hearing aids compiled from 6 brands of hearing aids. They are Siemens, Oticon, Phonak, Starky, Sonic
Innovations and Widex. Implants cost and operation cost comes from RNID Information September 2002 as well as
personal communiqué with Resident Audiologist, Singapore Deaf Association.
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Prosthetic implants themselves cost in excess of USD 5399, 00, the operation costs is in
excess of USD 20, 000,00. This does not include monthly maintenance cost.
Therefore the product has to lie between the range of USD 3000, 00 and below not to be
priced out of the market.
However, government grants (up to 40% in UK) as well as medical insurance do cover part of
the sum required for buying a hearing aid, thus, the after-subsidy cost of the hearing aid
maybe as low as USD1200, 00.
Technical specification
The materials and components used come with relevant technical specifications to support its
usability.
Design Summary
The communication device is a basic platform where functionality can be added to it. Its
primary function is to help the user hear better. Its secondary function(s) are to assist the user
achieve normalcy in work, leisure or play in the modern 21st century.
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08
08.1
CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT PROCESS
A brief discussion about the rational of concept development process
Based on the final conceptual direction and data gathered from the research phase and
following the guidelines set by the design brief, the concept development phase begins.
There are altogether 3 stage of concept development before arriving at the final concept stage.
Each development stage proposes 3 – 4 solutions that are follows the brief. Evaluation of
each stage then follows. After stage 3 of development, an overall evaluation is conducted to
capture the desirable attributes that will be incorporated into the final concept.
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Design
Brief
Proposal 1
Proposal 2
Concept
Development
Stage 1
Proposal 3
Stage 1
Evaluation
Proposal 1
Proposal 2
Proposal 3
Proposal 4
Concept
Development
Stage 2
Stage 2
Evaluation
Proposal 1
Proposal 2
Proposal 3
Concept
Development
Stage 3
Stage 3
Evaluation
Overall
Evaluation
Figure 12: Flowchart of concept development process
08.2
Stage 1 is the preliminary step into deriving the final concept. The 3 proposals put forth are
mainly initial explorations into different niche markets, targeting at different market segments.
A few themes of design are also explored as well. Emphasis is placed on the fashion aspect
of the hearing aid, the aid as a fashion statement as well as a functional object.
The secondary functions of the hearing aid, using it as a 2 way communication device,
portable audio player are not explored in-depth, although they are taken into consideration.
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08.2.1 Proposal 1 (Executive)
Proposal 1 targets the hearing impaired amongst the working executives. Hearing
impairment leads to diminished communication abilities and this may have serious
implications on the working capability of the hearing impaired executive. Having a
conventional hearing aid itself is not a good solution because current hearing aids are
not fully compatible with most of the available digital communication devices such as
the cell phone. However the situation is more likely to be the reverse, that the design
of digital communication devices did not take hearing aids into considerations.
Key features
The integration of a blue-tooth module into the hearing aid to allow the hearing aid to
be program settings to be adjusted wirelessly. This makes it convenient to change the
setting of the hearing aid to suit the hearing-situational context of the user. Even
though all digital hearing aids have a few pre-set algorithms to suit different general
hearing environments (egg. Office, Restaurant, Personal Conversation, etc), the
sound received by the user may not be of adequate quality and he may need to fine
tune.
An adjustable swing hinge allows the hearing aid to be fitted more comfortably on the
user.
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Figure 13: Stage 1 Proposal 1
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08.2.2 Proposal 2 (Fabric)
Fabric looks at the integration of the hearing aid into clothing itself. Fabric fully
exploits of the advantage of bone-conduction hearing technology because you can
still hear when the hearing aid is away from your ears. (as long as the hearing aid is in
contact with any part of your skull and/or jaw.) as well as smart textiles such as
Sensatex (smart fabric interwoven with conductive fibres forming a conductive grid
complete with nodes).
As headgears such as beanies and headbands become more socially acceptable as
part of your everyday fashion, more and more people wears them. By integrating the
hearing aid into the beanie, the user can more effectively camouflage their impairment.
Another advantage is that the hearing-impaired can also engaged in more physical
activated without fearing that their hearing aids of dropping.
Last but not least, such a hearing aid will provide hearing impaired users without outer
ears a much lower cost alternative to surgical implants and CIC hearing aids.
Key Features
Adjustable vibrational pads to allow user to place the sound playback on any predefined nodes.
Fabric electronic interface from Soft-Switch provides an alternative to plastic switches.
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08.2.3 Proposal 3 (Flaunt)
Flaunt explores the direction of transforming the hearing aid into a fashion accessory,
with the ultimate aim of becoming a piece of art jewelry. Wearing such a hybrid
jewelry – hearing aid which has more in form than function is as a cultural statement
as fashion one.
Flaunt addresses the cultural and lifestyle issue of a hearing aid. The current hearing
aid form has been around since the 1970s and has acquired a cultural identity linked
to disability. Moreover, public misconception of hearing impairment (linking it directly
with deafness) added additional stigma to wearing a visible hearing aid. However,
implantable hearing aids, ITC and CIC hearing aids come at a higher cost and not
everyone is medically suitable for one. An alternative to the sterile medical aesthetics
which are much maligned is by having very expressive aesthetics that seem to shout
to the world their disability. Helping the hearing impaired to ‘come out of the closet’
and face society on their terms.
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All 3 proposals marked different exploration directions into different genres. Proposal
1 focuses more on the functional aspect of the problems facing hearing impaired and
tries to make it more usable. Proposal looks at alternatives in how to wear a hearing
aid. Proposal 3 focuses on the cultural aspect of hearing aids.
All 3 directions requires more in-depth exploration as well as form creations.
Technical specifications and dimensions should be taken into account as well.
08.3
Stage 2 is a reiteration of stage 1 but with more in-depth exploration. 4 target segments has
been clearly identified and defined. They are the working executives, the active-sporty, the
fashion leader and children. Each segment has their own requirements and each of the
proposals reflects this need. Stage 2 proposals also come complete with technical
specifications.
08.3.1 Proposal 1 (Work IT!)
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59
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Figure 16: Stage 2 proposal 1
Technical Specification
Table 8: Technical Specification for proposal (Work IT)
Battery voltage
Battery type
Current consumption
Frequency range
Peak OFL at 80 dB SPL
Harmonic distortion (THD60)
Equivalent input noise
Electrical input sensitivity (1 mVRMS)
Electrical input equivalent to an
acoustic input of 70 dB SPL
Input impedance
Weight
Size (diameter<h) –minus antenna
Outer casing material
Antenna material
1,1–1,5 V
675
0,7 mA (in silence), 3,5 mA
(at 60 dB SPL, 1 600 Hz)
300–6 500 Hz
113 dB rel 1 µN
103 dB rel 1 µN
Below 3% above 600 Hz
24 dB SPL
85 dB rel 1 µN, 1 600 Hz
10 mV, 1 600 Hz
18 kΩ
14 g incl. battery
33mm < 22mm
Anodised aluminum
Silicone polymer composite
Executives and professionals with hearing impairment are the targeted segment. This
hearing aid acts also as a communication tool that connects the professional not only
to her colleagues but also with her high-tech gadgets.
Following where proposal Executive left off, Work IT has integrated more function into
the hearing aid. Work IT allows the hearing impaired to use their hearing aid to
function as a Bluetooth hands-free companion to their mobile phone courtesy of the
directional microphone in the hearing aid. Users can also use this Bluetooth
connectivity to issue voice commands to their computer or digital assistants equipped
with voice recognition software.
Using single chip DSP (digital signal processor) platform, the number of key
components has been reduced dramatically, thus the overall dimension of the
components are smaller.
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Bendable Bluetooth antenna functions also as the ear hook. This antenna/ear work
has memory-retentive properties and is made from a Silicon based polymer
composite.
08.3.2 Proposal 2 (Flaunt)
Where the relationship between form and function blurs. Flaunt! Exhibits more
expressive visual language designed to drop the jaws of anyone who lays their eyes
on it.
Flaunt! is a follow-up to original flaunt proposal and in this iteration it is in the
integrated into a pair of sun glasses. Shades or sunglasses have a distinctive cultural
identity and connotations of ‘coolness’ and ‘hip-ness’. The recent popularity of Oakley
sunglasses with its distinctive ‘wrap around’ looks is the definition the look of the late
90’s and is looked upon as a ‘flaunt object’. By using sunglasses as a metaphor for a
hearing aid, proposal 2 aims at integrating with functional objects and not only pure
cosmetics.
The visual semantics of Flaunt! is to create an eye candy that creates a distinct
identity that will not be easily forgotten. A shiny badge of hearing impairment as a
medal of honor rather than a sign of shame.
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Table 9: Technical Specification for proposal (Flaunt!)
Battery voltage
Battery type
Current consumption
Frequency range
Input impedance
Weight
Size (l<w<h)
Outer casing material
1,1–1,5 V
675
(at 60 dB SPL, 1 600 Hz)
300–6 500 Hz
113 dB rel 1 µN
103 dB rel 1 µN
24 dB SPL
85 dB rel 1 µN, 1 600 Hz
10 mV, 1 600 Hz
18 kΩ
23 g incl. battery
65<36<21mm
Anodized aluminum
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08.3.3: Proposal3 (Play!)
A hearing aid for children with role-playing elements to aid them in growing up with
their disability. This is to ease them into learning and coming to terms with their
disabilities through role play and the hearing aid in this case is a prop. This proposal
is targeted at pre-school kids between the ages of 2 to 6.
Children as a segment was not explored in the previous stage and this is a new
direction to look into. Play uses the same technical platform as the rest of the stage 2
proposals.
Play utilizes a conductive fixed rail that doubles as a head band to incorporate the
hearing aid. The main hearing aid module containing the DSP and battery is separate
from the playback source that can be attached to any of the fixed nodes along the rail,
depending on the user’s preference.
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Figure 18: Stage 2 proposal 3.
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Table 10: Technical Specification for proposal (Play)
Battery voltage
Battery type
Current consumption
Frequency range
Input impedance
Weight
Ring material
Casing (External Processor)
1,1–1,5 V
675
(at 60 dB SPL, 1 600 Hz)
300–6 500 Hz
113 dB rel 1 µN
103 dB rel 1 µN
24 dB SPL
85 dB rel 1 µN, 1 600 Hz
10 mV, 1 600 Hz
18 kΩ
46g incl. battery
Anodised aluminum dip molded in PU
Polystyrene
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08.3.4: Proposal 4 (Aktiv!)
Waterproof, shockproof, extreme hearing aids designed to withstand punishment.
Empowering the hearing impaired to engage in outdoor activities and giving them
confidence to lead a lifestyle that is not constrained by their disability.
Sports-aktiv is a further development of the Fabric proposal from stage 1. There are
basically 3 sizes of the sports-aktiv hearing aid as in T-shirt sizes; S, M, L; small,
medium and large. The idea is borrowed from Nike’s Presto shoes which also comes
in T-shirt sizes. The 3 different sizes of denotes how wide the fabric band is. L can be
worn as a beanie (not shown); M can be worn as a neck warmer and S as a
headband.
Using the same technology of Sensatex fabric and Softswitch interface, sports aktiv is
suitable for sports and outdoor activities where maximum perspiration is to be
expected. The water-proof nature of the fabric allows the user to engage in wet
activities and the wash-proof fabric ensures that the hearing aid can be reused.
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Table 11: Technical specification of proposal (Sports-aktiv)
Battery voltage
Battery type
Current consumption
Frequency range
Input impedance
1,1–1,5 V
675
(at 60 dB SPL, 1 600 Hz)
300–6 500 Hz
113 dB rel 1 µN
103 dB rel 1 µN
24 dB SPL
85 dB rel 1 µN, 1 600 Hz
10 mV, 1 600 Hz
18 kΩ
37g incl. battery
Weight
Sensatex Smart Textile
Textile
Casing (External Processor)
Silicone Rubber
08.3.5: Stage 2 Evaluation
Stage 2 developments have identified 4 main archetypes of users in the broad
spectrum of hearing impaired users. 3 of the archetypes however can easily be
defined as the same user but in different circumstances. A hearing impaired who’s an
executive by profession requires the Work IT hearing aid, the Sports-Aktiv when he
goes for his weekly gym sessions and the Flaunt! when he goes out partying during
the weekend. It is unreasonable to ask the user to buy all 3 hearing aids, thus a
solution that addresses the multiple needs of a single user.
The form aesthetics of all proposals are too striking, unconceivable to be worn as an
everyday-use unit.
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All 4 proposals utilizes the same technical platform with a slight difference in the Work
IT proposal (it uses a lithium ion battery instead of a zinc oxide battery for the higher
power consumption of the embedded Bluetooth module.). Proposals 1 and 2 are
equipped with a fixed vibrational playback unit and Proposal 3 and 4 are equipped
with swappable vibrational playback unit. Perhaps a more modular system with a
whole range of family of products and accessories are needed. A modular system
with a standard unit can cater and adapt to various needs via, attachments and
extensions.
08.4
Stage 3 of the development phase takes a macro view on the systems level to explore the
various ways multiple uses by a single user can be achieved.
There are more archetypes than what has been identified previously and one conspicuous
archetype is that of the senior citizens. Senior citizens tend to be more conservative in their
taste and preferences, choosing the familiar over the strange.
In order to design a product that can be adaptable to various needs, macro system concepts
need to be explored.
08.4.1 Proposal 1 (Playback)
Playback is similar who the technical platform used in proposals 3 and 4 of stage 2
development. The playback unit is available separate from the main housing of the
hearing aid. Most of the electronics, including DSP and battery are in the housing of
the hearing aids and they come in various models to suit various needs of different
users. Housing are available in a variety of makes that are different from others in
terms of appearance as well as function. Examples of the different housings in the
family of products can be fabric housing such as proposal Sport-Aktiv and rigid
housing such as Play.
First time users will purchase a housing bundled together with the playback unit.
However users can then subsequently purchase other housings as their need arises.
Example, user A might have purchased the starter kit that is suitable for everyday use.
However, user A might be an avid jogger and the starter kit is not suitable for jogging
as it might not be secure enough or not ‘sweat-proof’ or simply not comfortable for to
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wear during sports. Thus he can just purchase the sports kit sans the playback unit to
save cost. This allows the user to buy as he need at a lower cost.
This modularity allows users to upgrade their playback unit when the need arises and
also allows for easier replacement of faulty or damaged parts.
Figure 20: Schematic diagram of stage 3 proposal 1
Standard kit
housing
Personal
portable
audio kit
housing
Modular
play back
unit
Formatted: Font: (Default)
Helvetica, 10 pt
Sports
fabric
kit housing
Formatted: Font: (Default)
Helvetica, 10 pt
Bluetooth
enabled IT
kit housing
08.4.2 Proposal 2 (Cartridge)
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Cartridge is similar to the previous proposal but borrows a page from the Nokia and
the cell phone industry. Instead of making only the playback unit modular, the entire
electronic platform is now modular. The cartridge comes in different models, from
lower end to higher end depending on the hearing needs and preference of the user.
By incorporating all the electronic components (DSP, playback unit, battery,
directional microphones, etc) into one package the housing becomes a simple piece
of injection molded casing with little or no electronic components. Thus, the user can
buy at low cost new casing for their hearing aids at their whims. This is similar to the
current cell phone phenomenon where users change their casing when a nicer one
comes along. However, the difference in various hearing aid casings are not purely
aesthetics like cell phone housing but they add value to the hearing aid by enabling it
to used in a new context like outdoor or for sea-sports.
This modularity allows greater freedom for the users to free engage freely in almost
activities, by using the appropriate casing for their need. Since the cost of a new
casing is only a small fraction of the cost of the hearing aid itself, buying a new casing
is as easy as changing a new cover for your cell phone.
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Casing for
sports
Casing for
fashion
Casing for
Work
Starters
casing with
modular
cartridge
Casing for
leisure
Casing for
Play
Figure21: Schematic diagram of Stage 3 proposal 2
Proposal 3 (Discrete)
Discrete proposes using the same standard parts and components but in custom
arrangements that is particular to each housing, in order words no modularity.
This comes from an understanding of the fact that in different applications the
arrangement of the internal components cannot always be the same. Modularity
restricts the available form permutations of the hearing aid and restricts the hearing
aid to a minimum size and shape. In order to the form to fit the function, this size
limitation is not desirable.
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Modularity is the best low cost compromise for the problem of addressing the multiple
needs of the user. As demonstrated earlier, a single user may have multiple needs
and a general purpose design might not be able to meet all the needs adequately.
Jack of all trades but master of none.
Using accessories as well as different casing to add value(s) to the modular product is
the direction to follow.
08.5
Testing models and overall concept development evaluation
Other than concept development through CAD and sketching, physical testing models are
also made as part of the exploration efforts. Physical models are important to give a feel of the
actual size of the product as well as important for ergonomics consideration such has the
wearability aspect as well as operational aspects of the product.
Overall Concept Development Evaluation
After the 3 stages of concept development, a list of requirements for final concept ahs been
compiled. The final concept has to be modular in nature in order to address the multiple needs
of a single user. A user has different needs at different times and it is an outdated model to
segment the users into specific niches such as sports and expect them to be engaged in
sports all the time. A lifestyle interest in sports does not mean a user wants to carry his
‘sports-styled’ product all the time and neither is it appropriate for all occasions. As lifestyle
choices and interests increases the user options and affects the taste in fashion, hearing aid
has to adapt to this change and integrate itself as part of the lifestyle cultural costume of the
hearing impaired.
3 main lifestyle themes have been identified (Fashion, Sports and IT savvy) and many more
may come still and dominate the fashion opinions. Adopting a modular approach facilitates the
transition of the hearing aid from one lifestyle interest/choice to another depending wholly on
the whims of the user without the heavy financial burden.
From the manufacturer’s point of view, using standard, replaceable parts is a cost effective
measure and increase the product differentiation rate while keeping the same technology
platform.
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User Evaluation
There are all together 3 users who tested both Stage 1 and Stage 2 conceptual foam models
as well as CAD and sketches. Stage 3 is a schematic development; user evaluation is derived
through Q &A session. The criteria for evaluation are, comfort, wearability and security. There
are 2 rounds of experiments conducted, 1 for each stage of development. The experiment is
conducted as such:
1. The user is introduced to the various models and concepts. After which, he is required
to put on the model himself. He will be timed and comments on the ease of wearing
the model is seek.
2. The user is then questioned as to the initial 1st impression of the feeling of the model
upon them.
3. The user is then put through a series of head movements (rotations and turns) to test
the fitting of the model.
4. The user is then asked to walked, run and jump to test the fitting of the model.
5. The user is then required to remove the model and then debriefed for additional
comments with regards to the model.
Stage 1
Proposal 1 sits best on the ear and the allowance for adjustment is sufficient for all 3 users to
fit both their left and right ear. However it is the least secure amongst the 3 and it is the
easiest to drop off the ear. This might be an issue of the almost weightlessness of the foam
model.
Proposal 2 is the most secure of all 3 proposals and no adjustments what-so-ever are needed.
However more than 30 minutes wearing leads to discomfort around the head. It is the opinion
of all 3 users that it should come in different sizes to fit users with different head dimensions.
Proposal 3 does not sit very well on the ear; however it is more secure than proposal 1. It is
the most difficult of all 3 proposals to put around the ear, requiring the most time.
Stage 2
Proposal 1 has a flexible ear hook that can be bend to fit the comfortably the ears of each
user. The rubberized grip of the ear hook makes it secure on the ear.
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Proposal 2 has difficulty staying up on the face of the user. The in-availability of good suction
caps that provide enough grip to hold the model against the face of the user results in the
shades sliding down the nose bridge of the user once too often.
Proposal 3 fits nicely around the crown of the head as it is flexible. However there is a balance
issue when the user starts walking around. The model will tilt down the back of the head as
that’s where most of the weight lies.
Proposal 4 comes in 3 different sizes and the one that covers the whole head fits most
comfortably amongst the 3 and the one that sits round the neck tends to be slightly suffocative.
Stage 3
Proposal 1 involves the attaching and removing of a potentially fragile key component of the
device and this is an issue that makes all 3 users apprehensive about it. The potentially small
size of the playback unit also suggests to all 3 users the intricacies involve in the actual
attachment and removal to be too challenging for the average user and not to mention the
high chance of actually losing the part “because you simply dropped it29”.
Proposal 2 is popular with all 3 users if and only if the removal of the cartridge from the casing
is as simple as “removing a CD from its jewel case”30 Even if it is at the difficulty level of
changing the cover of a Nokia cell phone, it might be too much of a hassle.
Proposal 3 is potentially the one that will fit the user best in terms of performing a specific
function and not too much to worry about as it is a single unit dedicated product.
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30
Personal communication with user 1
personal communication with user 3
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Figure 22: testing models
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09
09.1
FINAL CONCEPT
Final Concept Schematics
The final concept adopts a combination of proposals 1 and 2 of stage 3 in the macro systems
level design. The foundation level is the basic everyday hearing aid unit that is very neutral in
design answers the primary requirement of the hearing aid as a means to boost the
diminished hearing capability of the user. This modular basic is modular in 2 ways. Firstly, the
key electronic components are assembled and packaged into a single cartridge form that can
be easily removed from the casing. Secondly, the basic unit casing can also be modified by
means of accessories.
Other casings, compatible with the cartridge, are with additional functionalities are available as
well as functions expanding modular accessories.
Figure 23: Final Concept Schematics
Additional Casings
Alternative
Casing 1
Alternative
Casing 2
Alternative
Casing 3
Cartridge
Basic Unit
Original
Casing
Accessory
1
09.2
Family of Products
Accessory
2
Accessory
3
Accessories
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The initial product launch will not be just the basic everyday unit alone. 3 alternative casings
that provide added functionalities to the hearing aid are also introduced as well. Standard
accessories include Data Cable for hearing aid programming, a traveler’s charger and a
carrier. Optional accessories include, charging-programming 2-in-1 cradle, Bluetooth adaptors
for PC and PDA without a built-in Bluetooth module.
09.2.1 Cartridge
Cartridges come in 3 models, MK I, MK II and MK III.
Figure 24: Cartridge
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Table 12: Comparison of 3 models of Cartridge
MK I
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Real 4-channel filter
bank parallel
processing for high
flexibility hearing loss
equalization.
Speech Comfort
System with automatic
situation detection and
excellent noise
reduction algorithm.
2 mode program
feature for individual
settings in microphone
and telecoil mode
Automatic, highly
effective, feedback
suppression.
Automatic audioboot
detection
Omni mic for all
round signal pickup
Built-in 3V lithium ion
battery
Single Chip DSP
platform capable of
processing MP3 as
well raw sound signal.
MK II
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Automatic, adaptive,
directionalmicrophone system.
bank parallel
processing for high
equalization.
Speech Comfort
excellent noise
3 programmable
modes feature for
individual settings in
microphone and
telecoil mode
Automatic, highly
effective, feedback
suppression.
Automatic audioboot
detection
2 directional mic for
signal pickup
battery
Single Chip DSP
platform capable of
processing MP3 as
MK III
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Automatic, adaptive,
directionalmicrophone system.
bank parallel
processing for high
equalization.
Speech Comfort
excellent noise
Multi program feature
for individual settings
in microphone and
telecoil mode
Automatic, highly
effective, feedback
suppression.
Automatic audioboot
detection
4 directional mic for
maximum signal
pickup
Built-in 128mb solid
state memory
Built-in Bluetooth
module
battery
Single Chip DSP
platform capable of
processing MP3 as
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Cartridges
Original
Casing
Alternative
Casing
Standard
Accessories
Optional
Accessories
Formatted: Font: Times New
Roman, 10 pt
Formatted: Font: 10 pt
3 models
7 color
options
Executive
Traveler’s
Charger
Jet Black
USB Data
Connection
cable
Mk1
Bronze
MKII
Silver
MKIII
Red
Metallic Red
Metallic Blue
Blue
Orange
Active
Black
Flesh tone
Fiery Orange
Flaming Red
Cerulean
Blue
Music
Cradle for
charging and
programming
Bluetooth
module for
PC (USB)
Carrier
Software for
programming
the hearing
aid.
(Windows,
Mac,Window
s Ce and
Palm OS
compatible)
Bluetooth
module for
PDA
(PCMCIA)
Formatted: Font: 10 pt, Underline
Bluetooth
Module for
Portable
Audio
BTE ear
hooks with 5
color options
Ear hook with
integrated
microphone.
5 color
options
Brushed
Bronze
Himmel Blau
Passion Red
Figure 25: Family of Products
Original Casing
The Original casing is made from injection molded PC with 7 color options to choose
from. There is 1 jog-dial for volume and it is also the power switch. The other button
changes the mode from Microphone to Bluetooth to Tele-coil. The ear hook is
detachable and can be replaced by a hook attached with ear mike and coupled with a
MK3 cartridge; user can use their hearing aid as a handsfree kit for their cell phone.
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Figure 26: Original Casing with cartridge
Executive Casing
The executive casing comes with built in Bluetooth module, an addition inbuilt Lithium ion 3v Battery and 128 mb onboard memory. The Standard ear
hook given has an integrated microphone. The standard accessories are the
same as the basic unit. The casing is made from injection molded PC and
anodized aluminum.
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Figure 27: Executive Casing with Cartridge
Active
The Active casing is injection molded PC dip molded in Silicon for the
additional environmental protection. The casing comes inbuilt with 128mb of
memory for audio playback and includes controls for the audio player onboard.
A special rubber cord firmly secures the hearing aid around the ears of the user
preventing it from dislodging or dropping during vigorous physical activities.
An additional 3V lithium battery is in built as well.
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Figure 28: Sports casing
Music
The Music player casing made out of anodized aluminum and injection
molded PC comes with an onboard 512mb memory with full manual controls
for the audio player. Onboard memory is upgradeable to a maximum of 1
gigabyte. Music files management can be done via Bluetooth module that is in
built as well. An additional 3v Lithium battery is built in with the casing.
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Figure 29: Music player casing
09.3
Additional Usage Scenarios
Other than improving hearing, there are basically 2 other added functionalities to which the
communication aid can perform, namely Bluetooth connectivity and audio playback.
09.3.1 Bluetooth Connectivity
Cell phone
handsfree
conversation
Handsfree conversation with cell
phone requires Bluetooth module
with Ear hook with attached mic.
However talk time is limited
without addition Lithium battery
found in the 3 alternative casing
Wireless
connectivity
to PDA,
PC,etc.
Bluetooth connectivity can be
achieved by using MKI & MKII
cartridge with all 3 alternative
casing , or a MKIII cartridge with
any casing.
Bluetooth
module
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Figure 30: Schematic of Bluetooth connectivity,
09.3.2 Audio Playback
The single chip DSP used to process sound signal can also be used to process audio
files such as MP3 and WMA. There are 2 ways the hearing aid can receive music.
Firstly, it’s direct streaming via Bluetooth from an audio source, be it a d-player or a
PC. Secondly, it can play of onboard memory found in cartridge MK III and the
alternative casings.
Direct
Streaming
Audio
Playback
Direct
playback
Wireless connectivity to any
audio source. Using the control
software, the playback can be
controlled. However playtime is
limited without addition Lithium
battery found in the 3 alternative
casing
Direct playback from onboard
memory possible however there is
only direct audio playback controls
on the Music and Sport casings. For
original and executive, control is
only possible via control software.
Fig 31: Schematic of Audio Playback
09.4
Strategic Market Implementation
09.4.1 Opportunity
Currently in the market, hearing aids are still being designed and produce as a
medical aid product and not as a lifestyle product. Existing hearing aids do not
enhance the life of their user beyond the mere primary functional aspect that is
improved hearing. However, there are many other concerns that trouble the hearing
impaired not being addressed by current hearing aid solutions. These types of
problems are lifestyle problems because they prevent the hearing impaired from
enjoying a quality of life on par with the normal hearing people. The use of modern
electronic communication devices is mostly barred from them and this is a serious
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problem in terms of work for the users. Hearing aid also prevents the user from
leading the lifestyle of their choice.
Using bone conduction technology has its advantages for the normal hearing people
as well. Using bone conduction hearing will not lead to damages in hearing like your
normal conductive hearing devices like ear phones.
A whole new genre of universal communication products can be created bridging the
gap that causes the stigma of hearing people with normal hearing people.
09.4.2 Product
A universal communication product that can be used by all but the deaf. Added
functionalities that are useful to both normal and hearing impaired is a healthier
alternative for normal hearing users and for the hearing impaired, it is a bridge for
them to achieve normalcy.
09.4.3 Marketing Plan
An effort to secure a company that produces both consumer electronics and medical
equipment as a collaborative partner is the first step in the marketing plan. Siemens
and Philips would be ideal collaborative partners.
The ultimate plan is to market these products as universal products and sell them on
the mass market and not only solely through medical equipment outlets. The
economies of scale achieved in production would be able to bring the cost down to
affordable levels for everyone.
First step is to introduce this product to the hearing impaired with the initial offerings of
the standard unit with the plethora of alternatives as stated in the Family of Products.
A soft launch is targeted at early adopters and fashion leaders to lead the trend in
using this product.
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010
attractive
safe
Consumer
appeal
Valueadded
service
suppliers
Organization
easy
safety
Communication
Device for the
Hearing-impaired
Services &
Facilities
SYSTEM
Regulatory
subsidies
Features
Function
Alternative
casings
cartridge
CONCEPT ASSESMENT
hearing
audio
Accessories
Bone
conduction
bluetooth
comfort
User
Acceptance
cultural
consequences
Fig 32: Cultural Ambience of the Communication Device for the Hearing-impaired
The interaction between a new technology and the existing system can create tension and
barriers can obstruct its introduction. M. Staudenmaier, a historian of technology, used the
concept of “the cultural ambience” to highlight the “atmosphere” which permeates a
technology and without which it cannot survive31. In fact any novelties should find the own
space in the system, having difficulty in doing so because they are different significantly from
the technologies in the existing system.
Hård and Knie adopted this thesis evaluating failure in the automotive industry, saying that
market success requires that the inventors either accommodate the existing cultural ambience,
or that elements of this ambience are modified to accommodate the novel device. In both
cases, strategies have to be developed to open up the appropriate space within the
ambience32. The cognitive patterns and practical routines are stressed here as important
factors.
In order to create an implementation strategy, according to the “strategic Niche management”
approach, new radical solutions require protected areas within which to develop a momentum,
called Technological Niches33. In general, innovation experiments fail for any number of
reasons. These include technological barriers, policy failures, the underdevelopment of the
31
Staudenmaier J.M. Technology’s storytellers: reweaving the human fabric Cambridge, the MIT press, 1984
Hård M., Knie A. The cultural dimension of technology management: lessons form the History of the automobile,
Technology Analysis & Strategic Management, vol. 13, n. 1, 2001
33
Kemp, Rene, Schot J., Hoogma R. Regime shifts to sustainability through processes of Niche formation: the
approach of strategic Niche management, Technology analysis & strategic management, vol 10, n. 4, pp. 545-566,
1998
32
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market and the infrastructure, uncertainties about environmental or other benefit of new
technologies and an attachment to the values associated with existing ways of doing things,
such as the flexibility and freedom of the private car. Consequently successful innovation
towards sustainable development in transport is a matter of technology but also a matter of
socio-economic context, mental frameworks of individual behavioural, institutional and
organizational patterns34.
This same model has been re-adapted and is now used to assess the potential of new
communication devices for the hearing-impaired as well. The implementation of the bone
conduction technology (even though it is not new, it is still not mainstream and little known
outside the circle of audiology) into the existing system of assistive hearing devices, creates
the same tension mentioned above might obstruct the success of the proposed final concept.
10.1
Consumer Appeal
The initial product launched carries a more conventional styling approach with forms that are
familiar to the users. The semantics are not revolutionary but rather evolutionary, with styling
cues taken from hearing aids; Bluetooth enabled hands-free kit for cell phone as well portable
audio devices. This is to deliberate in order to maintain a sense of continuity with the current
hearing aids design, paraphrasing Raymond Loewe, “survival form is maintain and preserved”.
The use of socially acceptable icons of executive, sports and music-aficionados as product
diversification variants as part of the initial product launch is to inject a sense of kinship with
both assistive products and consumer electronics. The aim is to bridge the gap between these
2 genres of products to the benefit of the hearing impaired.
10.2
Functions
The primary function of hearing augmented by the secondary functions of Bluetooth
connectivity and audio playback adds values to the product giving space for user-initiated
modification and configurations that gives more life to the concept. 3rd party products may
initiate a popular following for the concept.
10.3
Features
The alternative casings, accessories and various cartridges gives the users more choices to
choose from and shape their decision based on their personal constraints (needs, budget, etc)
34
L. Berchicci, P. Vergragt. Assessing the potential of new artifacts for sustainable mobility systems: The Mitka case.
2003 (as yet unpublished)
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10.4
User Acceptance
For an artefact to be accepted by potential users, it is necessary to convince them that the
item can be easily and advantageously integrated into the routines of daily life. To reach
public acceptance, it is of utmost importance that the new technology acquires meanings and
connotations that make it possible to comprehend and comment upon it35.
The image of hearing aids as well as a host of consumer IT products can be seen from the
form of the final concept. The potential users may find it refreshing to behold and use. As long
as the interaction of the new product is at least on par with that of the old one, the external
aesthetics can make a crucial difference.
In general, for potential users the communication device for the hearing impaired should be
compatible with the existing values, norms, beliefs and past experiences with the existing
hearing aid as well as the PDAs and audio players. Shifting from the current hearing aids to
the new communication device in daily usage should reflect this consistency. For instance, the
The new communication product should perform like the regular hearing aid, almost invisible
to the user while performing its duties as well as fulfilling other functions like audio playback
and easy to use. An innovation that is perceived complicated and not consistent with these
characteristics by potential adopters diffuses very slowly or is even refused 36.
10.5
Organisation
In order to have a successful technology, it is necessary to create a manufacturing
organization and to construct networks of firms and authorities that are devoted to the
continuous maintenance of the technology and its sub-elements37.
A chicken-egg problem is related, from a demand side, to the price and, from the supply side,
to the mass-production. Innovative technologies are often too expensive due to the small
production and on the other side the mass production is a risky and long process. Thus, it
would be ideal for a company such as Siemens with a broad portfolio of expertise to be
engage with the introduction of such a product into the market
35
35
Kemp, Rene, Schot J., Hoogma R. Regime shifts to sustainability through
36
Roger E.M. Diffusion of innovation, the Free Press New York, 1996
37
93
94
10.6
Regulatory Framework
The government can subsidise the cost of purchasing the communiation device as it is still
under classification an assistive device. This can offset some of the premium the user may
incur.
10.7
Conclusion
There are multitudes of factors in determining the success of the communication device for
the hearing impaired and the cultural ambience model is a method of assessment of potential
success. The design of this concept has to be accepted by the users and further evaluation is
only possible after the launch of the product range and user feedback is received.
94
95
011
REFERENCES
•
Ronald L. Mace, Design Intervention: Toward a More Humane Architecture,
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W.E. Preiser, JC. Vischer, E.T. White (Eds.). Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1991
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LINN Product, 2002, audio system hierarchy. Online. Available from: http://
www.linn.co.uk (12 Sept 2002)
•
Anon, 1999, Sony Walkman Personal Stereo Turns 20 Years Old: The Evolution of
Portable Audio's Past, Present and Digital Future, Sony Press Release, 1999.
•
Marzano. Green, van Heerden, Mama, Eves, 2000. New Nomads: An exploration of
Wearable Electronics by Philips. 1st ed. 010
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EE Times 25 July 2002, online. Available from
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Anon, July 2002 ‘Tomorrow’s World Exhibition, Olympia press release. Online.
Available from: http://www.soundbug.biz/news.asp?lang=en
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Schoenherr.S, 30th Oct 2002, History of Recording Technology, latest revision,
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Laurence King.
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Anon, 1999, Sony Walkman Personal Stereo Turns 20 Years Old: The Evolution of
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wearable electronics by Philips.1st ed 010.
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http://www.media.mit.edu/wearable/mithril/vision.html
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96

Communication Aid for the Hearing

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