Centenario reimagines the look of hearing aids with the goal of removing negative stigma associated with wearing medical devices.
The Problem
After watching Aimee Mullin's Ted Talk, "My 12 pairs of legs", I was inspired to create an object that solves a problem by merging utility with aesthetics. I brainstormed issues that directly affect myself and the people near me, thinking of ways design could help solve these issues.
During this time, I realized that my grandfather is someone that could greatly benefit from good "prosthetic" design. He, like many others of his age and demographic, is hard of hearing and needs to wear a hearing aid. However, as an old-fashioned Hispanic man, he feels disdain for these devices. He refuses to wear them, likely because of the accompanying notion of aging with the device.
I wanted to propose a change to this idea for my grandfather and many other Hispanic men who have the same disdain toward these medical devices. Instead of feeling shame, I want his demographic to think of their hearing aid as an accessory. Like glasses, hearing aids should become an accessory that even those without hearing difficulties would want to wear.
Thus, the design problem I faced was the following: How do I create a hearing aid that older Hispanic men will feel proud wearing?
Empathize
Because my target demographic is older Hispanic men, I drew inspiration from cultural "ranchero" style objects like belts, sombreros, and even horse saddles.
Mexican print on metal
Mexican Centenario: a 50 peso coin, in this case adorned as jewelry
Patterned horse saddle
Traditional Mexican sombrero
All of the objects referenced are heavily patterned and tend to use gold, bronze, or silver as highlight detailing. These patterns are often embroidered or branded into leather.
Ideate
I drew an initial sketch for what I wanted my earpiece to look like. This sketch is based on the general shape and design of a hearing aid. Later, I swapped this design since it felt too bulky, and instead opted for something more akin to a singer's earpiece. Instead of having a battery on the back of the user's ear, I imagined a smaller battery embedded into the earpiece for sake of sleekness.
Initial earpiece sketch
Prototype
I brought my idea into the 3D sphere using Rhino modeling software. I wanted to ensure a comfortable and ergonomic fit, so I followed my reference model's ear shape for the initial base that would then become a leather piece.
Afterward, I built a battery encasement within the ear. I had the idea to make this metallic early on, so I wanted a stiffer look to this piece. To do this, I projected my curves onto a planar surface and then used offset to create a general shape. On this encasement, I then carved a pattern using curves.
Since the earpiece needed to be useful for everyday wear, though I created chains and different detailed patterning for the piece, I ultimately kept it simple for easy styling.
Ghosted rhino viewport
The Solution
The name 'Centenario' refers to now defunct 50-peso coins from Mexico, most of which have become valuable collectors' items. Centenarios are heavily patterned symbols of Mexico's history that are now used as jewelry. There is a certain authority that comes with owning a Centenario, associated both with its rarity and its age.
Like wearing a Centenario, my redesigned hearing aid is meant to be showcased proudly. The final rendering of the piece uses a soft leather base to ensure the wearer's comfort beneath a metal battery encasing. The battery encasement is adorned with a simple yet traditional inspired pattern carved into metal. The overall shape of the hearing aid is ergonomic and brings semblance to a singer's earpiece rather than a medical device.
The design is familiar to older Hispanic men, resembling an accessory to fit right into a ranchero-style wardrobe. Instead of feeling disdain or shame that may be associated with aging, the Centenario calls for the wearer's return to authority.
