Brief
To develop an all-in-one hearing aid audio solution for the hearing impaired that can:
– Utilize noise-cancelling functions
– Be controlled by a mobile app
– Charge via wireless charging case
– Utilize multiple audio profiles for user comfort
– Function using gesture and voice control
– Alert user to hearing health vulnerabilities (Loud volume, prolonged noise exposure)
– Utilize everyday music through an earphone audio profile setup
– Have a pleasing aesthetic that conveys the look of any casual earphone,however, is actually a hearing aid device as well
Project Introduction
One of today’s many societal norms is putting earphones in your ears and listening to your favourite music whilst you’re completing assignments, cleaning the house, out exercising or just having a chilled-out day. However, this is a problem for people with in-ear hearing aid devices. Generally, hearing-aids don’t have any adjustable audio profiles and aren’t tailored for listening to music. This makes it extremely difficult for the hearing impaired to listen to their favourite music, especially if they don’t want to disturb others.
Earphones can be quite harsh on ear drums if the volume is too high. They are also inadequate when it comes to having a broad variety of audio profiles so that the user can hone the experience to their needs and requirements. There are usually 2 or 3 main audio profile pre-sets and that is it. The audio profiles can be of a huge benefit to the hearing impaired, if done correctly. Hearing aids can be quite difficult to hone and make comfortable for the user. This generally involves several trips to a hearing expert, which is time in-efficient and costly. The aim with this device is to cut out the hearing expert and allow the user to adjust the hearing device right from their own fingertips on a smart device such as phone or tablet.
The majority of hearing-aids are also very noticeable, ugly to look at and are very easy to point out. This can have a negative effect on the users overall mental state as they are seen as different to people with normal hearing capabilities. The current market is very limited in adjustable audio profile listening devices and is primarily restricted to over-ear styled headphones, hence there is a market for a hearing aid device that can do more than just its main purpose.
Economical Estimation
Initial manufacturing costs of the all-in-one hearing device are quite large due to the start-up of a manufacturing line. The moulds for the device would be in the region of $20,000.00 to $25,000.00 per mould package, which would have up to 10 sets of the device being injection moulded, at once. A similar price range is also expected forthe wireless charging case.
Material used for the body of the hearing device would be made out of ABS, costing around $0.20c to $0.50c per set of hearing device and the case would have a
Polycarbonate shell costing $0.50 to $0.80c a mould. The silicone ear tips would cost around $0.05c a pair. Overall cost for the initial start of manufacturing would be in the region of $200,000to $250,000 for a small start up company. This includes moulds, materials, electronics, pre and post processing and packaging, as well as miscellaneous costings.
