Project
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Rezonance
Year
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2024
Category
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Designer
Rezonance is a wireless bone conducting hearing aid, that attaches to the bone of the user through adhesive docking. This allows for improved sound quality as well as functionality for a wider population. This is a collaborative design project whose brief was to tackle the issue of auditory impairment.
Problem Domain
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Auditory impairment in the elderly.
Methodology
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Empathize
Define
Ideate
Prototype
Test
Empathize
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Field study
(Old age home), and personal interviews.
A large number of users do not admit to having a hearing issue, and even if they do, they accept it as a part of old age and do not seek any remedies.
A section of the user base wants hearing aids but fails to procure them due to the difficult and tedious nature of the process of acquiring hearing aids.
In case a user manages to obtain a set of hearing aids, they generally get a 2-part machine (outdated model) and quickly stop using them, because their user experience isn’t good. They find the machine irritating to use.
When asked, most users said they would use aids if they obtained a one-part machine (Newer model).
The most major issue in obtaining a newer model of hearing aid is the cost.
Most hearing aids available in the market today use proprietary components such as batteries and require expert knowledge to ensure proper settings.
The interface present on most mainstream hearing aids is very easy to accidentally interact with, thus leading to changes in the customized settings set by a medical professional.
Insights from personal interviews
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Ideate
Concept
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Rezonance is a wireless bone conducting hearing aid, that attaches to the bone of the user through adhesive docking. This allows for improved sound quality as well as functionality for a wider population.
To bypass the requirement of a clamping force for a bone-conduction audio transmission medium, an adhesive docking pad is used. The adhesive pad has properties similar to sports tape and can be waterproof and reusable.
Prototype
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We were able to make this working prototype for a cost of $8 USD , proving one does not require tens of thousands to make a decent hearing aid.
The components of the prototype
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500 mAh 3.7 V LiPo Battery,
TP4056 Charging module/BMS,
Electret Condenser Microphone,
PAM8403 Audio Amplifier,
Bluetooth Stereo Module,
1.5-3V Drone Motor,
35mm Piezoelectric transducer.
Rezonance
Collaborative Design Project
Industrial Design
2023-24
India
By:
Jitendra Kakade: info@jitendrakakade.com
Nikhil Srikrishnan: niks2103@gmail.com
Riddhiman Dutta Choudhury: rdcign20@gmail.com