10 products for deaf people or hard of hearing

Aug 29, 2023

Kieron Marchese

Kieron is a freelance writer and Digital Consultant who doesn't consider himself a design lover but a user of design - which to him is more than enough.

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Deaf History Month

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The World Health Organization estimates that 1.5 billion people live with some degree of hearing loss of which 430 million people require habilitation services. This is why we decided to dedicate this article to people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

One of the main impacts this has is on spoken language requiring new and innovative ways of communicating with one another and the advancing technological world around us.

As Deaf History Month (March 13th to April 15th) draws to a close, we are taking a look at the many ways design can help address these needs and create a more inclusive experience of the world for everyone.

So, we’ve rounded up 10 of the best design projects inclusive of deaf and hearing-impaired people, including a pair of smart gloves and a shirt that converts live music performances into a fully haptic experience.

This AI robot was designed as an alternative to hearing dogs.

Called Hearingbot, it uses a microphone and camera to translate sound and sign language into text, which it then displays onto flat surfaces via a built-in projector.

Designed by Korean-based Fountain Studio, the colourful concept device comes with several features including a vibrating alarm clock, self-charging and a pairable smart watch that keeps users alert about dangerous situations, public transport, or if someone is at the front door.

Designed for parents with kids that are learning sign, the Parenting Communication Companion also converts sign language into text, displaying subtitles on an integrated screen.

It also uses facial recognition, which recognises the emotion of the person signing before reading it out in a tone that matches their physical expression.

"In this way, the parent can increase the child's auditory stimuli without having to turn to external factors like television and radio," the studio explains.

Commu is a two-part concept gadget that supports hearing-impaired users with pronunciation whilst also making sure their vocal muscles don't atrophy with lack of use.

It works by capturing vocal-cord vibrations and translating them into speech.

One half of the Commu sits on the throat and captures the nuances of the waves.

Meanwhile, the other half docks a phone and displays speech waveforms guiding the user through the process of enunciation and pronunciation.

Artificial intelligence determines if the pronunciations were correct, becoming easier over time and with practice.

Curious to know more about products catered to specific needs? We have rounded up 10 of the best autism-friendly design projects.

Although still in its developmental stages, Sign-iO is an assistive wearable technology that translates sign language to speech.

Created by Kenyan engineer and innovator Roy Allela, it comprises a pair of smart gloves connected via Bluetooth to a companion mobile application, which captures the sign language gestures.

The mobile app then vocalizes the signed gestures in real-time, enabling seamless communication between sign language users and non-sign language users.

Japanese graduate student Tatsuya Honda has developed Ontenna, a hairpin that uses vibration to relay sounds to the wearer.

The white compact device looks just like a hairpin but with integrated sensors that register noise in the surrounding environment.

Each one carries a mini-computer that conveys vibration with the objective of enabling the wearer to associate certain levels, rhythm and patterns with certain sensations, thereby finding it easier to navigate without being able to hear.

Unsatisfied with the stereotypical hearing aid, British designer Craig McGarrel has designed a discreet alternative.

With contact charging instead of fiddly batteries enabling a minimal, earpod-inspired design, Listen Carefully aims to offer a premium yet accessible experience.

Dubbed "headwear" instead of "hearing aid", McGarrel has designed several versions in premium machined metals including gold, rose gold and silver, to give the object a jewellery-like finish and value.

Korean designer Ian Bok has designed Light Bell to inform hearing-impaired users when there's a visitor at the door.

The device triggers a light signal using a Bluetooth connected bulb, which can be easily installed on any fixture or lamp, providing an intuitive and simple solution to an everyday occurrence.

Vibeat devices are jewellery-like devices that use vibrations to allow deaf and hard of hearing people to experience music.

Designed by Liron Gino as an alternative to headphones, the collection features a necklace, bracelet and pin with circular modules which translate music into vibrations at various levels of intensity.

Once the Vibeat pieces have connected to a music source via Bluetooth, internal motors inside react to the varying frequencies and cause them to vibrate at multiple speeds.

CuteCircuit's Sound Shirt was named one of Time's 100 Best Inventions in 2020.

The tech-infused garment brings music to life using a series of haptic sensors that are built into the material.

The shirt features 30 micro-actuators embedded in the fabric of the garment that translate sound into motorized vibrations in real time, allowing deaf and hard of hearing users to feel music.

This record-shaped speaker is the result of an exploration into the relationship between music and people that are hearing-impaired.

Designed by Pureunyi Kim, the Oh! Speaker converts sound into visual patterns that are emitted via LED lights embedded behind the perforated cover.

Interested in knowing more about inclusive designs? Check out how Simon Dogger is creating more inclusive forms of communication.

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