Ear mounted cochlear hearing devices / Medel_Austria

This product, an ear worn digital cochlear processor, was and continues to be a real innovation since it first came on the market in 1996.

The project was born as a result of an outstanding technical innovation in digital processing technology which enabled fully deaf people to hear again via a cochlear implant.

The industrial design part followed an intensive period of ergonomic and user research. Previously the unit was worn like an old “Sony Walkman” on the hip.

Advances in digital technology enabled the entire unit to be mounted on the head. The main technology limitation was the 4 stainless steel Lithium-ion Button batteries. Weight and ear fit was a key issue so the ear clip came in 3 different mouldable sizes.  A separate battery housing unit had to be designed for kids as the unit and much attention was placed on designing the very tactile but small controls.