This document describes a wearable device called VisAural that is intended to help people with impaired hearing better locate sounds. It summarizes that sound localization is important but challenging for those with hearing impairments. The device aims to address this by moving sound location information from the ears to the eyes. The document outlines formative studies that were conducted with participants to evaluate prototypes and provide feedback on the device's design.

1. VisAural A wearable sound-localisation device
for people with impaired hearing
Benjamin Gorman
University of Dundee, Scotland

2. VisAural A wearable sound-localisation device
for people with impaired hearing
Benjamin Gorman
University of Dundee, Scotland

7. 1 in 6 people
Action on Hearing Loss Information
2011 (UK)

9. Only 14% of people with hearing impairments
regularly use hearing aids
Action on Hearing Loss Information
2011 (UK)

16. VisAural

17. VisAural

19. Formative Study

20. Formative Study

21. Formative Study

22. Formative Study
Output
Evaluation
Input
Evaluation

23. Formative Study
Output
Evaluation
Input
Evaluation

24. Formative Study
Output
Evaluation
Input
Evaluation
VisAural

25. Formative
Study
14 Participants, evaluated
prototype through a sound
localisation task

26. Formative
Study
14 Participants, evaluated
prototype through a sound
localisation task

27. Formative
Study

28. Formative
Study
“ Could become
second nature ”

29. Output
Evaluation
12 Participants, evaluated 3
types of feedback with and
without distractor tasks

30. Output
Evaluation
No significant difference
between Audio and Visual
Tactile feedback produced the
most almost 10% with distractor

31. Input
Evaluation
Aim: To evaluate user-directed
microphone array techniques

32. VisAural
Solution
Will be evaluated using
participants with and
without impaired hearing

33. Summary

34. Summary
Sound localisation is important

35. Summary
Sound localisation is important
People with impaired hearing find it challenging

36. Summary
Sound localisation is important
People with impaired hearing find it challenging
I’m moving sound location information from the
ears to the eyes to help with this