Skip to main content
  • Accessibility
  • Headlines
  • Coronavirus-News
  • Get-Hooked
  • Technology
  • Education
  • Employment
  • Parasports
  • Ask Bhavna
  • NHBrandView
  • Independent Living
  • Lifestyle
  • NH Videos
×
Newz Hook – Changing Attitudes towards Disability Logo
  • Stories
  • Videos
  • Inclusive
  • NH Voice
  • Login
COVID-19 Notification by Government in Accessible Format

Accessibility Tools

Text Size:

Contrast Scheme:

  • C
  • C

Reset

  • Home
  • Technology
  • #FutureTech – Amplify, a smart hearing aid for people with hearing impairments

#FutureTech – Amplify, a smart hearing aid for people with hearing impairments

Image of a ear with Amplify
Technology July 17, 2020
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
0

If glasses can become fashion wear, why not hearing aids? That was the trigger for Alice Turner to start working on Amplify, a smart hearing aid that is pretty cool to look at too! That’s our focus on #FutureTech.

Glasses or spectacles, once seen as boring, have evolved into fashion wear. People wear them as a statement of confidence and style. That’s not quite true for hearing aids though. Many people feel conscious about wearing them and even try to hide them.

Alice Turner, a designer, is out to change that with Amplify. This is a hearing aid that uses bone conduction technology that converts sounds into waves. This way the hearing aid bypasses the eardrum and transfers the vibrations directly to the cochlea, allowing the user to hear.

Hearing aid with Bluetooth

Amplify provides users with high-quality audio for a more comfortable and wholesome sound experience. There is even a Bluetooth system integrated so the user can adapt to the smart world around. This will enable the user to control smart speakers, smart TVs, phones, and car audio devices.

Alice and her team hope Amplify will help boost the wearer’s confidence and lead them to showing it off as a fashion accessory rather treat it as a medical tool.

“In the ’60s, glasses were aids for a disability”, says Alice talking about her thought process in a media statement. “Now, glasses have evolved into ‘eyewear’, a fashion statement, and an extension of your personality. This shift made me question why the main innovation in hearing aid design is developing technology to make them smaller and more hidden”.

Person wearing Amplify aid and an image of the Bluetooth component.
Amplify prototypes in 3 different colours of gold, grey and white.

Trials of Amplify awaited

Amplify is still in the stage of a concept design and there is much work ahead in terms of prototype research and testing. What it has done is sparked off a conversation about making wearable medical accessories more aesthetic to boost user experience and confidence. Most of the available devices are pretty basic in their function.

Alice says the response has been encouraging. “I am so overwhelmed by the response ‘Amplify’ has received, both in and outside of the deaf community. Thank you so much for the feedback and kind comments, I am excited to keep pushing this design further”.

Also Read:

  • V-shesh courses aim to promote sign language communication, build deaf inclusion
0

Support us to make NewzHook Sustainable – Make a Contribution Today

We need your continued support to enable us work towards Changing Attitudes towards Disability. Help us in our attempt to share the voices of people with disabilities that enable them to participate in the society on an equal footing!

Contribute to Newz Hook

NH Videos

Healing pain through art - Dr. Anubha Mahajan, Founder Chronic Pain India

Read more on Newz Hook

  • Employment
    InReturn Strategies is redefining the way American companies talk about diversity & inclusion
  • Get-hooked
    Amanda Gordon, first U.S. National Youth Poet Laureate, does not see her disability as a weakness
  • Coronavirus-news,Technology
    Helpline support for special needs families during COVID
  • Education
    Evaluate Me by My Body of Work, Not my Body
  • Get-hooked,Lifestyle
    Perceptions and misconceptions about disability
  • Accessibility,Independent Living
    McDonald’s India unveils new EATQUAL packaging specially designed for customers with limited upper hand mobility
  • Accessibility
    Latest Dungeons & Dragons book to feature its first wheelchair accessible dungeon

Contribue to Newz Hook. Support us to make NewzHook Sustainable – Make a Contribution Today.

Newsletter

 Subscribe to our Newsletter

Want to feature your inspiring story or share an event with the disabled community? Write to:

editor@newzhook.com

Related News

Logos of Zoom, Teams, Slack, Webex and Meet with the words Top 5 accessible video conferencing platforms

Technology

Top 5 accessible video conferencing platforms for people with disabilities globally

Coronavirus-news

Helpline support for special needs families during COVID

Get-hooked

Perceptions and misconceptions about disability

Jim Atwater and Scott Brouilette, Co-founders of InReturn Strategies.

Employment

InReturn Strategies is redefining the way American companies talk about diversity & inclusion

Newz Hook - Accessible News

Download App Now!

Videos

View More

Get-hooked

#WonderWoman - Challenges bring out the tough side of Divya Sharma, a visually impaired content writer

Get-hooked

Undertsanding Toe walking

Get-hooked

#RareDiseases - Coping with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy powers Karan's passion to help others

Get-hooked

Grooming brand Wild Stone launches perfume tested by visually impaired people

Newz Hook Logo

About Newz Hook

Newz Hook is a media site focusing on Changing Attitudes towards Disability globally. We highlight stories that share insights into the lives of people with disabilities, offer solutions and create collaborations. Our focus is to have Inclusion Champions from across the globe who share knowledge about disability, inclusion & accessibility.

Lets come together to change attitudes towards disability!

Newz Hook is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Follow us on:

Related Links

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Partner with Newz Hook
  • Embed Newz Hook Timeline
  • Affiliate disclosure
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Contribute to Newz Hook

Our Awards

Zero Project Award Winner 2018
Back To Top
© 2019 All Right Reserved. Inclusive News India Private Limited.

Ask Bhavna

All fields are mandatory unless specified as optional.