Empathy Device

What is it like when you start losing your hearing?

To highlight the uncomfortable fact that hearing damage affects increasing numbers of young people every year, this empathy-building device works by reversing the function of a normal hearing aid and gives real-time auditory experience of what it is like to live with hearing loss and tinnitus. Why? As any empathy tool, its purpose is to raise our awareness and put us in touch with a particular feeling or condition experienced by someone else, thus encouraging better behaviour. In this case, the protection of our precious, irreplaceable ears.

Equipped to integrate an existing pair of headphones, it cancels noises, distorts sounds and mimics common hearing damage-induced nuisances. The design, thought to resemble that of modern in-ear around-ear headphones, provides a snug, comfortable fit and an optimal non-hearing experience.

Developed with love at Frolic studio for Dutch health insurance company Anderzorg.