ARCAS

Do czego to służy

ARCAS is a next-generation hearing aid that intelligently adapts to your world. It enhances, filters, or cancels sound based on your needs, always learning and growing with you. It also integrates AI to assist with daily tasks and provides directional hearing.

Twoja inspiracja

I tried to convince my mother to finally wear a hearing aid. Despite her clear need, I was met with the familiar refrain, "I don't need a hearing aid, I'm not that old. Besides, those things look ugly." So I went into research about when hearing loss occures and the many benefits of hearing aids. Soon after, I met my friend Evin, who is hard of hearing. They too refused to wear hearing aids, even with a family history of dementia, which can be linked to hearing loss. The traditional approach to hearing aids was not working. I decided to take matters into my own hands and create a more accessible solution.

Jak to działa

ARCAS combines advanced acoustic engineering with AI to create a highly adaptive hearing experience. It uses multiple sensors to enable directional hearing, distinguishing relevant sounds from background noise. The device offers three main modes: Full Hearing, which enhances all sounds; Quiet, which filters background noise; and Full Silence, which cancels out sound entirely. Its voice assistant can help users navigate cities, manage daily tasks, and follow spoken commands. Each device is custom-modelled for the user’s ear, ensuring a perfect fit and comfort. Additionally, it features a metallic, jewlery-like finish and a flat, traceable surface for non-vocal interaction. The exterior can be removed, melted and molded into a new exterior, if you grow out of your model. By blending advanced function with appealing form, ARCAS redefines hearing aids as tech-luxury items rather than medical devices. It makes you feel proud and confident about your hearing aids.

Proces projektowania

The design process of ARCAS began with a focus on combating the stigma around hearing aids. Research showed that even if offered for free, most people would still reject hearing aids due to associations with aging and disability. This insight led to a core design goal: to make hearing aids stylish, desirable, and empowering. Initial exploration involved studying the shape of the ear and experimenting with both traditional over-ear forms and more innovative open designs that wrap around the antihelix. Three main prototypes, made from playdough, emerged from these studies, prioritizing comfort, stability, and a visually appealing form. The first protype was similar to a mini pojector, that was supposed to project subtitles infornt of the person wearing it, I discarded the idea because it might be too hard to use with longer hair. The second prototype was a ring that followed the shape of the anti helig, it looked similar to a standard hearing aid but inside of the ear. I went with the most comfortable protype, which was the third prototype that roughly the shape that defines ARCAS now. I improved the design with a flat surface that you can trace to easily find the touch pad that sits above the ear channel.

Jak to się różni

Unlike traditional hearing aids that are often hidden and stigmatized, ARCAS embraces visibility and style to boost user confidence. It addresses the psychological and social stigmas, like ageism and abelism, that prevent many from adopting hearing aids. ARCAS stands out by offering adaptive modes (hearing, quiet, silence), while most competitors focus solely on sound amplification. Therefore it can be worn with mildly increased hearing and earbuds functions early on, when you still have the majority of your hearing. Its integration of AI-powered voice assistance—helping with schedules, navigation, and commands—transforms it into a multifunctional device. The design is intentionally jewelry-inspired, moving away from the medical look and instead celebrating individuality. This reframing of hearing aids from “invisible necessity” to “visible accessory” helps reshape public perception and encourages broader adoption, even among younger demographics.

Plany na przyszłość

ARCAS can evolve from a uni project to a startup. In the future i want to work closely with engineers and acousticians to get ARCAS out in the world. ARCAS boosts the confidence of disabled people, thereby crucially aiding in their societal inclusion and self-perception. I want to make this as accessible for as many people as possible. Additionally I want to work closer with people that refuse to wear hearing aids and refine ARCAS, making it grow with the wearer. It worked with my mother, who would wear ARCAS immediately if it existed, I want to broaden that. My goal is simple: I want people to actually like wearing their medical devices.

Nagrody