Making Voice Accessible
Redesigning A Voice Amplifier
2018
Vocifer is a voice amplifier that aims to give a better voice and tackle the stigma associated with current amplifiers used for people who have Parkinson's with soft voice conditions. It is designed as a wearable glasses for people to wear comfortably everyday and to help communicate better with their loved ones.
Problem With Existing Voice Amplifiers
Conventional voice amplifiers are not designed in consideration for people with Parkinson’s or for those whose device needs to be integrated into everyday lifestyle. The form language of the device implies a medical device, portraying user as a disabled person, which removes a person’s dignity and personality. Many will not use the product and instead choose to have difficulties in speaking. Abandonment rate is 40%
A Contact Microphone
Built-In Voice Amplifier Speaker
All In A Wearable Glasses
Who The Product Is For
Parkinsons
Parkinson’s is a condition in which parts of the brain become progressively damaged over years due to decreasing amount of dopamine, a chemical that sends signals and enables body to move. 10 million people have Parkinson’s with 60,000 people diagnosed per year.
Experience With Soft Voice Condition
Losing a voice greatly affects a person’s lives. It becomes difficult to have a casual conversation with someone, express one’s emotion and clearly state one’s opinion, an everyday interaction that we take for granted.
Soft Voice Condition
Soft voice is one of symptoms of Parkinson’s. There are four stages to voice condition levels and it is the last 3 to 4 stage when a person needs to use voice amplifier. That is roughly 2 million people worldwide. 89% of people of Pd will develop soft voice condition over lifetime.
