Design for Usher and beyond

Abstract

Assignment. The Usher Syndrome is a hereditary disorder, where people's sight and hearing degenerates over time. As a result, being socially involved with other people can be challenging, especially in rooms that are low-lit and that include background noise. The project was initiated to help people with Usher Syndrome to still be able to socially involved, regardless of such challenges. Hence, the project assignment is stated:

“To design a non-stigmatizing, portable and affordable product for people with Usher syndrome, that offers enhanced control over lighting and/or acoustics, with the goal of improving their sense of involvement in social contexts.”

Methods
Methods used in tackling this assignment are the classic design cycle by Roozenburg and Eekels, accompanied by the diamond model of Buijs. The design cycle entails evey step of the innovation process where in every step - by using the diamond model - information is gathered (diverging) and narrowed down subsequently (converging), steering many options to a single defined design outcome. Important steps are evaluating ideas and validating concepts with end-users, to ensure a meaningful product is realized.

Results. As a result of the deficits caused by Usher, having conversations with other people can be challenging. Especially, in a dark and noisy context like a bar or pub: the design context in this project. In understanding a conversation, speech contains the most information. By aiding the sense of hearing, speech intelligibility can be improved and in turn the sense of social involvement. Important functions to for a design for people with Usher is this context is separating speech from background noise, reducing the distance between the speech source and person with Usher, allow volume control over the speech source and enable a connection with the hearing aid(s) and/or cochlear implant(s) of the person with Usher. Current products do not offer such functionalities.

Functions and requirements are ultimately translated into a design proposal: a microphone system called Micall. Micall is a system of small microphones that can be divided among friends/family. These Mics can pickup sounds from each person individually rather than capturing an entire scene like current microphone aids do. Speech is now separated from background noise and is made more intelligible. Feedback received from validation tests shows that the project assignment is validated: Micall is a non-stigmatising, portable product with enhanced control over acoustics and improving sense of involvement in social contexts.

Conclusions. After a full design project has been performed, a solution is found to the project assignment: Micall.
Micall proves to assess the main functionalities as stated in the project assignment by the validation of the end-users.

Discussion. A realisable design proposal is made, which can be developed in the near-future. However, more focus is needed on the sound engineering and manufacturing sides. With more advanced models deeper use insights can be gained. Also, investment models should be researched in order to come up with viable ways of developing, producing and selling the product.