BHEAR: Hearing aid for future

B - H - E - A - R

BEYOND - HEARING - EXPERIMENT - OF - ADHEAR

YUHANG HE / RCA DESIGN PRODUCT

BEYOND - HEARING - EXPERIMENT - OF - ADHEAR

YUHANG HE / RCA DESIGN PRODUCT

DECISION OF MICROTIA DECISION OF MICROTIA

Prior to the unveiling of this project, it is essential to recognize the considerable aid we've received from numerous individuals and groups. The journey of crafting this design has been deeply heartening and profoundly inspiring. As a person who lives with microtia myself, it wasn't until this project commenced that I discovered a supportive charity community like Microtia UK, a space for people to gather, exchange ideas, and share experiences. Moreover, it's been a unique opportunity to collaborate with a technological partner like Medel, striving together to enhance the group's experience and address their challenges.

Most importantly, this project has given me the privilege to connect with numerous resilient and generous families. Their contribution has made this community not only less vulnerable but also more self-assured.

This project, tailor-made for this community, aspires to assist a greater number of individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds across numerous countries and regions to confront microtia with strength and optimism.

THE DEPOLYMENT JOURNEY OF BHEAR

Yuhang He

FROM DESIGNING FOR SELFREFLECTION TO DESIGNING FOR THE COMMUNITY.

rove the contour of the user's deformed side of the ear：

/Experiment with materials and shapes other than the skin simulation style.

/Enhancing both the functionality and aesthetics of the artificial outer ear opening.

User

A DEVICE CAN LET YOU EXPERIENCE 3 PATHWAYS.

Patients under the present technology have three options:

ADHEAR: Use a nonimplantable bone conduction device as the start of the experience

EXPERIENCE SIMILATION WITH ADHEAR

The properties that existing hearing aid devices have are complex, with three levels of meaning and characteristics. However, from the user's point of view, these three points are not the most effective overview of needs or intuitive product attributes. The features required are more specific and complex in the eyes of the user, and the design process should help to reduce the difficulties of selection and simplify the psychological burden on the user and family.

Experience the capabilities of an implantable bone conduction device

The experience of using analogue prosthetic ears

A more complex design expectation s than the designer had planned

BHEAR: Hearing aids that help patients experience different treatment options

Unlike today's hearing aids, this hearing aid plug-in helps users experience the good and bad of facing microtia's other treatment options.

FUNCTION LIST OF B.H.E.A.R: INTERACTION IMPROVEMENT&ARTIFICIAL FORM

The two target directions of BHEAR are: firstly, to improve the experience of using non-surgical bone conduction hearing aids. The second is to improve the contour of the user's deformed side of the ear and provide emotional value.

INITIAL COMPONENTS OF BHEAR

1.Artificial external auricle

2.Buttons and Indicator Lights

3.Connection cable (in wired mode)

4.Indicator light

BHEAR is a set of bone conduction externals designed for the microtia group.

The BHEAR includes a replacement plastic prosthetic ear with an interactive outer ear assembly and a binaural hearing balance headset consisting of three parts (vibrating unit, Bluetooth, in-ear headset).

The kit is based on a non-surgical bone conduction device, the ADHEAR, designed by MEDEL Hearing. And Matthew, the director of MEDEL, who offered to provide me with an ADHEAR to help me continue to use the technology to design an experience that would help people with monaural deformities and deafness.

5.In-Ear Headphones

6.Vibrating auxiliary units improve the experience include： / Balancing the hearing effect in the right and left ear when wearing a hearing aid. This is because one side transmits sound through the air and the other through the bone. There can be a great imbalance in both touch and hearing.

/Maximise the use of bone conduction to improve everyday life and increase the flexibility of device control.

improve the contour of the user's deformed side of the ear： /Experiment with materials and shapes other than the skin simulation style. /Enhancing both the functionality and aesthetics of the artificial outer ear opening.

These electronic components are worn near the ears on the left and right side as shown.

Simulates the interactive experience and sound control features of an implantable hearing aid.

Simulating the shape of an artificial prosthetic ear and the experience of wearing it.

TOOL MODIFICATIONS FOR THE BEHEAR

Interesting preparation before the start of the experiment

Digital model making

So I tried to make a few things in total, some of which worked well and some I discarded：

1.modeling based on the 3d head templates

2.A 3d scanned avatar

3.A tin foil model of the right ear

4.Right ear made of silicone

5.Silicone anatomical model

6.DIY silicone head model (include ADHEAR)

Build physical model

Structural analytical modelling of the ear and of artificial prosthetic ears

The model of the right ear made of tinfoil and its silicone replica and the adapter that holds the hearing aid in place, respectively. These electronic components are worn near the ears on the left and right side as shown.

ENGINEERING STRUCTURES

How to rethink the 'structure of the ear' in terms of an artificial ear？

Left ear the deformed Side

The left ear is a deformed ear so it needs both functional and form modules.

Design from an understanding of the structure

This ear firstly makes a big difference in size and secondly devices such as hearing aids need to be set up around the ear.

How does the left ear need to be structured?

Here it is now a question of how to construct the left ear part of the prosthetic ear, is it to be formed in one piece or divided into multiple pieces? And what materials will be used for the prosthetic ear?

Next, how will it be connected and interact with the hearing aid device?

Although a normal healthy ear is formed in one piece, there is actually a difference between the inner and outer structure. The internal "Y" structure serves to stabilise the framework and, together with the external auricle, builds

How does the left ear need to be structured?

SIMULATE & RETHINK ABOUT PROSTHETIC EAR

"Choosing a hearing aid for yourself is basically the same as choosing a car", so let's make a concept car.

What should be the structural characteristics of an artificial external auricle based on a small ear?

For everyday use: what is the appropriate strength required for structural support?

External auricle - body - skeleton support

Construction of solidmicrotia ear models

External auricular junction shape -form

External auricular junction modelling - connection method

THE MATERIAL FOR AUDIO TECHNOLOGY & ARTIFICIAL EAR

Balancing the properties of materials

heavy

Foldability of hollow structures

hard

soft

External auricleinternal and external skeletal structure

light

A 3d printing pen was used to build a similar structure to simulate strength testing

Try a new choice of materials and product internals

External auricle - bodyone piece construction

External Auricular Prosthesis - Phase I Concept - Test Body 01

FUTURISTIC CONTROLING SYSTERM SIMILAR TO IMPLANTABLE HEARING AIDS

In the future, hearing aids will be wirelessly connected to a wide array of audio products.

Ear-to-Ear

Digital Wireless Technology

Connectivity

Control the volume balance, switch between modes and explore features that go beyond the human ear... Artificial ears can be more than simply decorative.

Rolling Positioning Concept

Just like the Logitech Wireless Trackball M570 ergonomically designed thumb trackball for right-handed use. Move the cursor by rolling the ball with your thumb.

Free-field polar patterns for beamforming (solid line) and a first-order directional microphone (dashed line).

Rolling Positioning Concept Sketches

STRING SYSTERM : INTERFACE CONCEPTS

Simulation of flexible multifunctionality

Interactive pages should not only be easy and straightforward, but also focus on the beauty of the styling.

The artificial auricle can take on a similar function to a remote control, interacting and giving feedback directly through touch.

Visual patterns: waves of sound

The sound wave float can be used to reflect changes in ambient sound as well as to switch the frequency of vibration in different modes.

Tactile sensation during interaction: plucking the strings

I find such manipulation gestures very natural and resilient and aesthetically pleasing.

Flexible screens woven from fibres

FORM THAT CONNECT THE SHAPES OF BODY AND DEVICES

Simply outline the lines.

The twisted curve represents the auricle.

Soft earlobes

Harder and more versatile ear bones

control panel

Patches linked to hearing aids

THE VR SKETCH FOR WEARABLE PRODUCTS

VR sketches I think are more appropriate

Accurate and sensible lines

Using VR headsets to design wearable devices can fit the body accurately in three dimensions. This helps me more in designing the curved form of the product.

Better control of size

The size of the hearing aid is very important, so it's very straightforward to keep track of the size of each component under vr.

The soft rubber material and streamlined structure work together to reflect the curves of the human body.

INSPIRATION FROM BIG DATA

Use VR as an extension of the imagination.

The transparent soft plastic shell and the endoskeleton are very technological. Making artificial fake ears can attract more tech enthusiasts.

Metallic colours for a decorative effect.

Very similar to the appearance of the ear structure.

CMF DEVELOP FOR A HEALTHCARE * TECHNOLOGY * ACCESSORIES

PRODUCT

How do I choose a cmf for a product that incorporates all 3 characteristics?

Skin-like pattern

Learn from nature and absorb the frictional benefits of the body's microscopic texture.

Learning through case studies

I have researched 3 examples of products that I think contain all three of these elements, the nothing ear stick and the apple vision pro and the GO by layer design.

Extract representative elements

The choice of each material and texture is related to the user's needs and can be cross-collated to organise the materials in the case.

/soft silicone

/Translucent material

/insulating material

/titanium

/White Grey

/circular pattern

/textile material

Human fingerprints are different from the pattern of the skin on the torso.

PRODUCT DETAILS DEVELOP

Discover potential parts of the product that can be enhanced.

Experiment with different materials to optimise the texture of the interface.

Rolling-Control Sphere

Ergonomically designed thumb trackball for right-handed use. Move the cursor by rolling the ball with your thumb.

Product texture similar to skin texture

The choice of each material and texture is related to the user's needs and can be cross-collated to organise the materials in the case.

Switching control system knob

It is possible to switch between different modes of use.

STRING CONTROL SYSTEM Light bar interface

The light bar flashes and changes according to the rhythm of the sound, while the parameters can be adjusted by plucking the strings.

Connection plate for ADHEAR

This component connects the BHEAR to a bone conduction device for synchronisation.

Device Connection Indicator Light

It can show the stability of the device connection and the safety index of vibration in real time.

PRODUCT DEPLOYMENT FOR BIGGER PICTURE

What are the flaws of this device in the opinion of the experts?

Dean Walson

Expert in Implantable Bone Conduction Hearing Aids

Cohear Hearing aid company Market Manager

"Maybe the interface of the operation needs to be more complex."

Matthew

Expert in noun Implantable Bone Conduction Hearing Aids

MEDEL Hearing aid company Market Manager

"The bone-conduction external vibration technology is not yet sure if it can be made this small."

Miss from South East Essex Prosthetics

Expert in Prosthetics medical service

South East Essex Prosthetics Doctor

"Acceptance of this shape of false ear can vary greatly from user to user."

WHICH PATHWAY NEXT?

LET’S SEE IN THE FUTURE OF THIS LIFE-LONG PROJECT.

Cyber upgrades to human function.

Make hearing aids the next glasses.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.