Project Step 1: (Homework 3)

1. LEARN - Competitive Product Survey

   A study was made of all the leading hearing aid manufacturers such as Siemens, Phonak, Sonic Innovations, etc. There were many features common to all these products and few features different from others. All these products have stressed their ergonomic designs and making the hearing aid look "invisible". The latest hearing aids come with noise cancellation technology, adaptive software, and a few other user friendly features.

   Current products and their features.
   CENTRA from Siemens SoundSmoothing technology - instantly recognizes and reduces annoying noises like rustling paper, clanging dishes, and breaking glass, while preserving the sound of voices and conversations DataLearning - learns based on your volume changes, and automatically adjusts itself to match your preferences e2e wireless communication - keeps your instruments properly balanced at all times, so you can easily and naturally tell where sounds are coming from. Also makes instruments easier to use by enabling you to control the volume and program of both instruments at the same time Adaptive Feedback Cancellation - reduces or eliminates the high-pitched whistling common with many other hearing instruments eWindScreen - an electronic wind noise reduction system that detects wind conditions and adapts automatically to reduce annoying wind noise Directional Microphone System - so advanced it automatically adapts to your listening environment and can reduce multiple noise sources. This makes it easier to focus on what really matters - like speech and conversations. ePocket - remote puts complete control of the instrument at your fingertips with convenient readouts for volume setting, program number, and battery status
   ComforTec from GN ReSound Design - A mini-BTE tube and dome design makes it easy to insert the instrument and stay in place no matter how active you are. The unique dome uses multiple vents to keep your ear canal open eliminating the plugged up sensation experienced with more traditional hearing aid designs. Noise Reduction - Noise Reduction technology improves listening comfort and reduces listening fatigue in noisy environments. This technology quickly responds to reduce undesirable sounds in between syllables of speech without degrading the speech signal.
   eShell from Phonak eShell is the new precision, laser-made hearing instrument shell. eShell benefits from the use of a digital 3D-model of your own ear. The precision of the digital process making eShell an accurate replica of your ear impression Good retention in the ear Soft, comfortable, silk-like touch Strong shell, with even thinner walls Highest biocompatibility due to hypoallergenic nylon
   Savia from Phonak Savia is the first hearing instrument that recognizes the presence of an FM signal. Once this is recognized, Savia activates the FM program automatically. This breakthrough feature will make the outstanding benefits of FM appealing to a wider range of users. Savia switches to the selected telephone program (either T-coil or acoustic phone) when the telephone receiver is placed near the instrument. The Feedback Phase Inverter ensures feedback-free conversations. EasyPhone is also compatible with wireless and cellular phones.
   Delta from Oticon Delta's unique, triangular shape also ensures maximum comfort when sitting behind your ear. Weighing less than two grams, Delta delivers big benefits via a light and comfortable design. Unique triangular shape ensures optimal position for two state-of-the-art microphones Ultra thin transparent sound wire is virtually invisible when worn Placed in the ear canal to offer unmatched performance and comfort

   
   
   
   

   Latest Developments in Hearing Aids

   Technical advances such as digitization and miniaturization are likely to erase the social stigma often associated with wearing a hearing aid Use of software to control the hardware in hearing aids to provide user specific needs. Hearing aid software, which consists of complex algorithms, or mathematical formulas, fine-tunes itself to a patient's specific hearing loss, listening and working environment, and personal listening preferences. The advantage is that as new software becomes available, it can be downloaded to the chip and outdated software deleted. The patient doesn't have to buy a new hearing aid. Siemens Hearing Instruments made the world's first application of nanotechnology to the manufacturing of hearing instruments . Using particles as small as 100 nanometers in size, Siemens developed an ultra-thin, anti-adhesive coating for the company's latest models. Containing both oleophobic and hydrophobic properties, the instruments' nanocoated housings repel water, sweat and other adherents Siemens Hearing Instruments introduces, C-Guard, a wax protection in hearing aids. C-Guard effectively seals the receiver of custom instruments with a membrane-like barrier to protect from cerumen and moisture.

   
   
   
   

   Latest developments in Headphones
   Bluetooth Headphones A Bluetooth head phone allows you to enjoy a wireless experience whilst listening to music and loads of other stuff. A lot of the Bluetooth headphones are compliant with various audio players including iPods, they can be used to make and receive phone calls, chat via online messengers, etc. The HP Bluetooth Headphones for example provide easy controls so you can just raise your right hand up to your ear and can easily adjust the volume controls, power on/off, play/pause, and track fwd/back controls for controlling audio devices.
   Waterproof Headphones The H20 Audio Waterproof Headphones provides water protection and the the innovative coiled headphone cable helps prevent tangles and the durable neckband keeps the headphones in place during swimming or skiing activities.
   More... For further reading on headphones to best suit your musical needs, see here .








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2. LOOK - Still Photo Survey

What is the importance of Style/Fashion/Looks versus Functionality?
What does the type of headphones say about a person?	Is bigger better?
	One ear to two? What if we need to hear the world around us while listening?
Why must we have cords that tangle?
Can I still live normally? Am I having fun?	Large? Medium? Small? ...Extra Medium? Do we need to see them at all?
Will it grow with me? Can I still swim/play/be a kid?	Do I need to remove it? Can it be permanently installed?








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3. ASK - Extreme User Interviews

An extreme user interview was conduced with Jacob Stringart, the young son of a group member's co-worker. He is an example of an extreme user -- one extremely accustom to hearing aids. He wears a Phonak Savia 111dSZ Hearing Aid, which is a customizable, digital and extremely expensive product. The cost is amplified by his age, since he is growing very much and requires refitting every few months.

The following procedure was performed in the interview process:

1. Explain to Jacob why I am doing this interview, how the information will be used, and what expectations we have in our project
2. Request his permission to use the information, photos, and video – commit to confidentiality
3. Let Jacob kow he is free to decline to answer any question if he wishes.
• Schedule for session:
1. ASK – User Interview – 30 minutes
1. HOW: Identify individuals who are extremely familiar or completely unfamiliar with the product and ask them to evaluate their experience using it
2. WHY: These individuals are often able to highlight the key issues of the design problem and provide insights for design improvements
3. Set up video camera – check to be sure Jacob is okay with it
4. Set up still camera in case opportunity for series of stills presents itself as interview is taking place (this is planned to be separate section but may merge)
5. Questions – see next page – ask Jacob to show what its like to put them in and take them out and what its like to actually use them as we talk:

   
   

   Videos of Extreme User Interview

   Interview Questions: Tell me about yourself in general – activities, what you like, what you don’t - - just some background What led to wanting to get hearing aids? Do you recall why you wanted to them? Was there anything you worried about in getting them? If so, how did you overcome those concerns? What was the experience of getting them like? Can you walk me through the steps you took (tests, trials, selections) and what you might have been thinking as you went through the process of getting them? What things were important to you? What was the first use like – can you remember it? What did it feel? What do you like about the hearing aids? What do your family, friends, classmates like about them? What did you dislike about them? What would change in their design? Is there anything else you’d like to tell me about?




2. LOOK – Still Photo Survey – 10 minutes
1. HOW: Follow a planned shooting script and capture pictures of specific objects, activities, etc..
2. WHY: The team can use this visual evidence to uncover patterns of behavior and perceptions related to a particular product or context, as well as structure and inspire design ideas

   Photos of the Interviewee / Hearing Aid




3. WHY session: 10 minutes
1. HOW: Ask “Why?” questions in response to five consecutive answers
2. WHY: This exercise forces people to examine and express the underlying reasons for their behavior and attitudes

"Five Whys" with Jacob Stringart

Why?	Listen:
...Do you think Phonak is a good manufacturer of hearing aids?	answer.mp3
...Have you not tried other manufacturers?	answer.mp3
...Does your audiologist say Phonak is good?	answer.mp3
...Does your audiologist say it will last a long time?	answer.mp3
...Do you want them now?	answer.mp3




Interview with the other extreme -- a user very unfamiliar with hearing aids: Kate Tsoi
• Do you have problems with your hearing?
  
  • No, my hearing is about the same as when I was a kid, and it's pretty good.
• Do you or someone you know use a hearing aid?
  
  • No I actually do not know anyone that uses one. Neither of my parents do, but their hearing has gotten worse when they got older.
• Do you ever listen to headphones, and if so are you careful with the volume?
  
  • I don't listen to them very much, but when I do I don't listen very loud. I dont listen to that much music either, just mostly in the car.
• Do you listen to music in the car loud, and if so does it make it hard to hear the traffic?
  
  • Sometimes I listen loud, just usually loud enough to hear it over the driving and traffic noise. It sometimes makes it hard to hear the traffic, but it hasn't been a problem for me.
• Do you enjoy listening to headphones?
  
  • Not really. I dont like earbuds, they don't fit me and are uncomfortable and keep falling out. The bigger ones are ok, but I dont listen to music much. Sometimes I use headphones to chat with Skype or MSN.
• Do you care about protecting your ears?
  
  • Yeah -- I don't want to hurt my ears, but I don't really try to protect them.
• Would you wear a hearing aid if you needed to hear with one?
  
  • I guess I would have to, but I don't like how they look and they look uncomfortable.








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4. TRY - Bodystorming
• One collection of bodystorming ideas:
  • Headphones:
    As we know headphones can be used to prevent other people from hearing for privacy purpose or to prevent disturbance. Headphones (also known as earphones, ear buds, stereo phones, headsets, or by the slang term cans) are a pair of transducers that receive an electrical signal from a media player or receiver and use speakers placed in close proximity to the ears (hence the name earphone) to convert the signal into audible sound waves. In the context of telecommunication, the term headset is also commonly understood to refer to a combination of headphones and microphone used for two-way communication, for example with a mobile phone.

    Headphones work much like a loudspeaker does. The amplifier sends out a signal. This signal propels a light diaphragm in the speaker. The diaphragm vibrates air in the ear canal. This describes headphones at their crudest, though, for headphones have evolved in an effort to recreate the breadth and depth of the original sound. There are several different classes of headphones. Circumaural headphones feature big soft ear pads that seal the external ear, and are often bulky and heavy. Supra-aural, also known as velocity, headphones merely rest on the outer ear, with minimal foam cushioning for comfort.

    But there are many situations where the priority keeps changing. At one moment of time the user would like to listen to headphone but at other he/she would like to listen to the outer world. So think of the way when the users have the choice of handling both the situations without removing the headphone.

    For e.g. a person traveling in the train is listening to the music and all of a sudden an announcement is made for all the passengers, at that moment it will be very difficult for the headphone user to pay attention to the announcement.

    Another situation could be thought of as when a person is listening to the headphone and if there is somebody waiting outside the house and ringing the door bell or if there is a telephone or mobile call, the priority of the user should not be listening to the headphone rather attending the other situations.

  
  
  
  • Hearing Aids:
    Hearing-Aid is used to help hard-of-hearing people hear sounds better. It is an electronic device that fits into the wear's ear. Unfortunately not everyone (especially those without money or health insurance) can afford such devices, and are unable to hear (at least as well as others that wear hearing aids). Such devices are either in-the-ear or over-the-ear and are worn whenever the user has to be able to hear. They can become unfaultable when worn for prolonged periods of time, and must be kept clean and free of rust. This requires work on the part of the user, rather than allowing them to enjoy hearing as though they have no hearing loss whatsoever.

    There can be several situations where hearing aid needs lot of improvement.

    For e.g. an elderly guy wearing hearing-aid goes for swimming where he is compelled to take out his device, after which it would be difficult for him to listen to any external voice, and probably for a situation when he has started learning swimming under an instructor.

    Hearing-aid is also a problem when a person does not want to listen to any loud voice, and to reduce the sound he has to use the controller. For e.g. a person visiting an automobile industry where the voice generated is of different pitch will have to use the controller every time. Same would be the condition when a person is crossing a heavy traffic and wants to avoid the loud noise of vehicles but at the same time he should be able to hear the horn of the vehicle behind his car.

  
  
  
  • Ear Protection:
    One in 10 Americans has a hearing loss that affects his or her ability to understand normal speech. Excessive noise exposure is the most common cause of hearing loss.

    The damage caused by noise, called sensor neural hearing loss or nerve deafness, can be caused by several factors other than noise, but noise-induced hearing loss is different in one important way, it can be reduced or prevented altogether.

    There are different verities of noise protector:

    • The President Hearing Protector reduces the volume of loud sounds by approximately 26 decibels, and folds away neatly when not in use. Handy for everyday portability, or for packing into your carry-on luggage. Stainless steel headband is covered with vinyl.

    You can view many other varieties here .

    But noise protector has its own pros and cons. For example a person in an airplane wearing noise protector is not able to pay attention to the announcement made for the passengers. In such situation the user should be informed in a different way. So imagine of a noise protector with some short of sensor which makes the noise protector sensible to the announcements made.

    Lot of people wear the noise protector for concentration and meditation, which again has its own draw back, as the normal supply of air is cut out from the ear and can cause different problem in long run.





• Another collection of bodystorming ideas:

  • Description of Hearing Phones:
    • Summary
      1. Product doubles as hearing aid and headset all in one with remote control
      2. Protect from damage by environment or other harmful inputs
      3. No doze - x,y,z move alerts
      4. Use bluetooth
      5. Multi-function - listen to all sources
      6. Fine user controls via cellphone (or similar device)
      7. Language conversion
      8. Downloadable
      9. Power by wearer motion
      10. Water proof
      11. Expandable to match changes for youth wearers
      12. Stability on head during violent movements (sporting activities)
      13. Diagnostics for communication with audiologist

    • Detail
      • What: Earphones both protect and enhance your own ears. They block outside sounds, and use the mics within them to provide sound to your ears. If the sound is too loud (machines/construction or loud concerts) the operator can turn the volume down and make it clearer, and if the sound is low (low talk, etc), turn it up and make it clearer. This can be controlled manually or be set to adjust automatically. Different listening modes are available for particular types of listening (live music, conversation, recorded music, classroom environments, etc). The devices have bluetooth so that devices can transmit sound to your ears (music, phone, everyday sounds -- meetings, classes, etc, etc) and they replace the need for multiple devices such as headphones, cellphone ear pieces (do not have to hold cellphone to your ears), hearing aids, hearing protection, etc.
      • Operation: the devices can be controlled with settings manipulated through use of cellphones or other similar devices. They can be operated as a playback device for mp3s, videos, CD's and other electronic sound sources. They have the capability of converting from one language to another. Much of the computing which feeds the devices is done through the use of a Bluetooth enabled PDA, cellphone, or other wearable device that connects wirelessly with the hearing phones. If bluetooth is a cancer concern, the user can run a (flesh colored) wire from the ear to the hip. The hip is where the Bluetooth transmission/receiving occurs.

    • Extra Features:
      1. X Y and Z water canals (like the inner ear, which are used for equilibrium) into them to sense equilibrium in order to determine if someone is falling asleep, and play a sound to keep them awake. During class, amplify whoever is talking and play sounds to keep them focused and awake.
      2. Enable the "cellphone" can download "programs" for the earphones, just like current cellphones (verizon): download games, etc.
      3. One example of a downloadable program -- keep people awake if the earphones sense you are falling asleep.
      4. Converting one language to another. This particular idea means that companies can make money off these programs -- i.e. incentive for them to adopt the technology. otherwise such programs could be freeware, etc.
      5. Water proof for wearing in extreme weather conditions
      6. Super fit to remain in place during extreme movement (sports)
      7. On board diagnostics with remote communication to audiologist or other care provider - including 911
      8. Growth fit - to accommodate youth wearers whose body size will change
    • Power:
      • Power the devices with something analogous to the "shake" flashlight (http://www.nightstar1.com/), where your own movement powers (and recharges the batteries) to the earphones.
    • Other:
      • Obviously much, much more can be designed for this, but in general, it is a supplement/replacement for current ears (can be permanently installed or temporary and can be disabled temporarily to listen to real speakers/sounds, etc) and is "networked" with devices in order to receive (also send...?) data.
    • Sketches:
      • Sketches would look like today's hearing aids behind the ear electronics with in the ear microphone and mini speaker

  
  

  • Visualization of the Hearing Phone
    • The audiologist receives the package from Acme Hearing of Lowell MA. It arrives at her office in a box with a patient information packet being the first thing seen upon the box. All the data concerning the intended user and the manufacturing specs verifying conformance with user's parameters is present. The phones look great - professionally packaged, clean, well placed in the their containers. Instructions for both audiologist and wearer are enclosed - along with a pretest package to ensure the device is operational before the user visits the office.

      They test out fine - all functions are operational. The devices look great - artful in shape, texture, and finish - ready to go.

  • The General Experience Imagined
    • Appearance - My Hearing Phones are beige with a bright blue accent color. As most of the device is hidden behind the ear, I feel they fit with most everything I wear. The part that can be seen seems more akin to well styled jewelry than to oversized electronics - they're cool and look good. Acme Hearing has gone so far as to make part of the outer skin interchangeable so if I wish, I can but in the shiny reflective surface patch when I think its appropriate - a little too flashy most of the time, but on special occasions its nice. I don't think anyone can really see the earbud section unless they really look hard - and that's unlikely. All in all they look just the way I'd hoped they would.
    • Feel - My Hearing Phones feel pretty good now. They were only uncomfortable for the first week or so and my audiologist had told me it would be that way. I'm in my 50's and new things are a bit tough to get used to - - but the radically improved hearing is worth it. And now I feel kind of funny when they're not in place. I'm amazed at how light they are - - and yet they don't go flying off my head during sudden movements. I remember when I last played doubles in tennis, I had to jerk my head out of the way at net on a hard return - and the Hearing Phones stayed right with me - loved hearing that score when we won. Not that I wouldn't have heard it before - - but now I can hear it well enough to revel in its sound. They still hurt if I forget to take them out at night (sometimes I fall asleep reading) but that's my fault and I know it.

    • Where Used - I use my Hearing Phones instead of the broad collection of listening devices I used to use- its my Hearing Phones and my cellphone and that's it. I use my Hearing Phones everywhere - that's one of the best things about them. I listen to "Audio Books" during commute down Rte 93 every morning - I can ear the sounds clearly without that bothersome 'white noise' of the automobile - and I can program the Hearing Phones by using my in car Bluetooth cellphone - its great. While at work, I use the single conversation mode during one on one meetings and the group conversation mode when that's appropriate. My job takes me into the city occasionally - I could have used my Hearing Phones to tune out construction sounds back when all that racket from the Big Dig was going on. After the work day is done we often go out to dinner - and the Hearing Phones are a god send. I used to really have a tough time hearing what Kathy (my wife) was saying. Even though we were only a few feet apart, the din of the background noise was deafening - at least to me. No more. I just tune in the single conversation - and I have a special setting optimized for Kathy's voice - and just like that its like we're talking at home.

    Like I said earlier the Hearing Phones are great during tennis - and my other sports like sailing and skiing - although sometimes when skiing I do like to take them out. They're virtually crush proof so I don't have to worry too much - and if take a spill a little melted snow won't hurt them.

    • In Action - My Hearing Phones are constantly in use except when I sleep. Not surprisingly, the times I appreciate them the most is during activities where hearing is crucial. I've already mentioned the dinner conversations and tennis. Another time that's quite enjoyable is when I working in my home office and listening to my music. My tastes are eclectic - everything from 2002 to Ackerman Bilk (clarinetist) to Mark Knopfler (guitar) to Vangelis and a host of sound tracks from a wide variety of feature films - - the sounds are clearer than they've ever been. And because I can program the Hearing Phones through the use of my Acme Tuning Program on my laptop (Bluetooth enabled) I can shape the filters on different ranges of frequencies. I hear things I couldn't hear before. On occasion I like to play some pieces at higher volumes (some compositions are just not meant to be played softly) - -and the safety programming on the Hearing Phones lets me know when I'm entering a danger zone. I can choose to have an automatic ceiling put on the sound or I can choose to control it manually. I can also set the Hearing Phones so that if I have an incoming call my recreational listening can be interrupted to take the call (or not). The caller ID is of course in audio. As I've been known to fall asleep while listening I can set the Hearing Phones to sense my head position and give me a gentle wake up if necessary. While I don't use this much in listening to music, I do use on long auto trips where I'm driving for long hours into the night. When I had just turned 20 I fell asleep at the wheel in a mountainous section of Pennsylvania and but the caring act of another motorist I could well have met an untimely end to my days - my Hearing Phoness safe guard alert is capable of monitoring head position and sending an alarm to awaken me - wish I'd had that 30 odd years ago.

    
    Summary - the Hearing Phones have raised the level of my hearing experience radically. I never would have guessed I'd make as much use of them as I do. My friends are all intrigued by their flexibility and capability - I get compliments all the time - and I know it won't be long before they're wearing Hearing Phones too.