SoundGuard
A design solution for people with hearing difficulties.
Design Brief
“Iteratively conceptualise, design and prototype a solution which is clearly linked to one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals identified by the United Nations. Your solution must include a combination of digital interfaces and physical elements, i.e it can’t just be an app. You can use any interaction design tools you wish, but the relationship between the digital and the physical must be considered.”
Problem space
The Sustainable development goal chosen was, ‘Reduced inequality’. After researching possible problem spaces, the group decided to create a design solution to reduce the problems faced by people with hearing difficulties. The following problem statement served as the basis for our design project:
‘Individuals who are hard of hearing are at a higher risk of accidents in everyday life.’
Compatible platforms
SoundGuard is used on both mobile and smartwatch. The incorporation of SoundGuard as a smartwatch application is vital as the use of smartwatch vibrations is used to alert users of sounds around them.
How does it work?
Extensive amounts of both primary and secondary research was conducted to create the final prototype, including user testing conducted at a university based, user testing fair. Iterations were continuously made as the prototype increased in fidelity. The target user for the final product is users with hearing difficulties. The app is used to alert users of sounds for safety purposes but exteneds beyond this; allowing users to be alerted for sounds such as pet noises, doorbell sounds etc. This aims to make everyday life easier for the target user.
Smartwatch use
Users will get a vibration on their smartwatch notifying them of nearby sounds and the direction the sound is coming from. The sounds they want to be notified of can be customised in the mobile app and users can customise a unique vibration pattern for each sound.
Drive Safety
The drive safety feature is an add on to google maps and aims to improve the safety of drivers with hearing difficulties. When the add on is activated users will feel the vibration of their watch as the notification that an emergency vehicle is nearby. The user is able to look on their map on their phone and see where the emergency vehicle is. This aims to reduce any possible safety problems that could arise from difficulty or inability to hear sirens when on the roads.
