Introductory Client: Herb Harmison 2692 Meadow Glen Road Ames, IA Faculty Advisor: Edwin Jones Jr. Team Members: Hassan Qureshi CprE Hamdan Al-Mehrezi CprE Trong Do EE Nathan Veen EE Abstract Advancements in circuit design and electrical devices, like microphones, have molded modern hearing aids to become smaller and better attuned to an individual’s needs. Along with these advancements has come a hefty price to pay for hearing aids. Many people cannot afford the high cost of these devices and will struggle through life trying to hear the noises around them. Many people also shy away from hearing aids because society today views them as a major fault unlike eyeglasses. Producing an effective, acceptable, and inexpensive hearing aid is the goal of this design team. The hearing aid device will resemble that of a CD player or a cell phone with a wire connect earpiece and microphone, devices that are accepted in our society today. The approach will be to first design the necessary circuit, then to test the circuit and implement a design to coincide with standards in today’s society. The hearing aid device will help many who struggle with hearing loss because they cannot afford the cost of advanced hearing aid devices. Problem Statement Develop a hearing aid device that is affordable and fashionable by understanding the functionality of the ear and integrating components to produce great sound and look good. Operating Environment Indoor and outdoors Typical weather conditions found in Midwest Should not be dropped or thrown Intended User(s) and Use(s) Men and women of any age who have experienced noticeable hearing loss Improve performance of an individual’s hearing in several environments Assumptions Wires connect headphone and microphone to the main unit User can adjust volume, frequency response, and microphone levels Limitations Cost in the range of $100 - $200 Weight of main unit is less than 5 oz. Expected End Product Main unit with circuitry, controls, and battery Microphones attached to clothing Headphones designed to attach to eyeglasses User’s manual with instructions, technical support and specifications Project Requirements Design Objectives Dependable and easy to use Design a compact and low cost solution Battery power system Functional Requirements Amplify normal sound to a level appropriate for user Controls on main unit used to adjust volume, microphone intensity, and frequency response Design Constraints Size limitation of main unit of 5 x 2 x 1 inches Weight limitation of main unit of 5 oz. Stereo sound with fashionable design Measurable Milestones Technology Considerations and selection Develop a working circuit Build main unit to incorporate circuit and be fashionable Develop design to connect headphones and microphones End product testing and demonstration Proposed Approach and Considerations Proposed Approach Research, test, and integrate components in design Design a prototype and test Analyze feedback from faculty advisor and client Develop end product Technologies Considered Use two microphones to create stereo sound Design amplifier to cutoff the noise and distortions to,.increase sound quality Use analog circuit Use AutoCAD to make a circuit board and the main.,unit Testing Considerations Testing the gain at a particular input signal Testing the output signal Client demonstration testing Estimated Resources Closing Summary Currently, over 28 million Americans are hearing impaired. The solution to this impairment is to use some hearing aid device that helps them understand surroundings better. Due to advancements in technology, many people cannot afford the high cost of state-of-the-art hearing aids. By that reason, the team will develop another way to design a new modern hearing aid, which has the quality sound at a lower cost. The design will have good sound quality that is adjustable to meet the needs of each individual user with a nice shape that people can hide and be comfortable wearing. Schedule Figure 1. Block diagram for hearing aid operation Figure 2. Sample hearing aid device that shows the basic components and operation Figure 3. Personnel effortFigure 4. Required resources Figure 6. Project Schedule Figure 5. Project Cost