Sound reducing headphones

by Holly Darge

Final design resolution; modular headphones with interchangeable ear cups, ear cushions, and accessories to maximise customisability.

Project Description

Autism spectrum disorder is estimated to occur in 1 in 70 children born in Australia; of these, up to 70% also experience varying degrees of hypersensitivity (extreme sensitivity) to sound.

The aim of this design-led research project was to reimagine an innovative and inclusive product design concept for noise reducing and noise cancelling headphones to improve the quality of life for children from age five until the age of 18. Literary research uncovered an notable gap in the consumer market for headphones that can accommodate varying degrees of auditory sensitivity as well as a range of different environments — the classroom, playground, the home.

The final design resolution is a modular and customisable pair of headphones with interchangeable ear cups and cushions as well as playful accessories and colours. Each ear cup is designed to contain different sound dampening qualities to suit a range of environments, while some are imbedded with sound cancelling technology. The interchangeable ear cushions allow for either 'over the ear' or 'on the ear' variations, depending on the preference of the individual. Another element of customisation is the 'theme', or the interchangeable accessories and colour options. A design framework largely adopted by this project was 'Emotional Design' popularised by designer Donald A. Norman. To encourage children and young adolescents to feel more comfortable and wear the headphones consistently, the design of the headphones needs to be able to ‘grow’ and ‘adapt’ to all the major cognitive, social and environmental milestones in a young person’s life, thus building a strong emotional connection between user and product through aesthetics; this is critical to design success.

The rail feature of the headband allows modular ear cups to be adjusted to suit each individual and to adapt as children grow. It also allows accessories to be attached and adjusted via a small rubber connector.

Ear cushions and cups are interchangeable using ball and socket snap fits, providing a secure connection while still being easy to pull apart by adults and children alike.

‘Magical’ themed headbands, designed with ‘snow-globe’ ear cups, where designed to glitter with movement, making the earmuffs almost interactive and inspiring the ‘magic.’

‘Superhero’ themed headbands designed to inspire the ‘inner-superhero’ in all of us, championing individuality as our own unique superpower.

Bio

As a practitioner of creative practice and transdisciplinary collaboration, I am a passionate, recently graduated Product Designer who thrives on solving complex real-world problems. My talents particularly flourish when designing products, experiences, and service systems that adopt an inclusive and user-centred design approach. I’m passionate about understanding and designing for people from diverse social, cultural, and ethical backgrounds and empowering them through their own sense of creativity and unique expression.

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