RNID

website: rnid.org.uk

Challenge
The Royal National Institute for the Deaf (RNID) is the largest charity representing the 9 million deaf and hard of hearing people in the UK. Focused on changing the world for deaf and hard of hearing people, RNID launched ‘Project HearWear’, with the challenge of reinventing the hearing aid and a brief to design a concept for a hearing aid of the future and transform this vital aid into a stylish product.

Insight
Hard of hearing people want style-led desirable devices that remove the stigma, yet remain discrete. Gesture is part of our everyday life, people ‘talk’ with their hands, play with spectacles, our body language is a universal form of communication.

Solution
Aimed at young to middle-aged women, our solution mimics a beautiful piece of white-gold jewelry, which drapes elegantly around the neck, frames the face and draws the eyes downward. A sculpted amulet houses the technology and batteries whilst two earring-like earpieces catch the sounds around you. The necklace uses natural hand gestures, the same way you might play with your tie or necklace, to adjust ambient sound settings by pulling the necklace through the jewel like centre piece.