Waveband
Disability aid
This thesis project set out to empower people born deaf or severely hearing impaired in their everyday lives. The whole process was continually inspired by and validated with the target group: three people representing the wide spectrum of hearing impairment, a tinnitus group, and the youth center DUKiS for the hearing impaired in Stockholm. The close interaction with the users inspired the problem statement and allowed for lots of ideation, testing and physical prototyping. This resulted in a wearable that enables users to seamlessly get eachother’s attention through haptics - and if desired - take part in the everyday soundscape.
Hearing impairments can decrease quality of life by limiting the scope for communication. Assistive technologies have the potential to help. A haptic wearable can help solve common problems of people with hearing impairment. With the smart wearable waveband, a vital need for communication is met, creating a positive experience in the daily life of people with hearing impairments.
UNIVERSITYUmeå Institute of Design – Umeå Uni
Umeå, SE