Product Design: Design Example: Evolve Design Solutions’ Hearing Aid

Evolve Design Solutions was chosen to design a compact and ergonomic plastic wireless handheld remote control for hearing instruments, manufactured by Smart Control. “The main objective was to create an innovative and distinctive new design which would appeal to an older group of end-users,” said Aldo Balatti. “Since low eyesight, loss of fingertip sensation, and arthritis are common factors associated with the end-users’ age group, the design had to incorporate tactile elastomeric user interface touch areas, a large button keypad, colour and graphics contrast, as well as an illuminated keypad.”

The Smart Control housing components utilized a new decorative plastic resin system called EF technology from Sabic Innovative Plastics. “The user interface touch areas are produced by inserting the top housing in a mold and overmolding the elastomeric substrate onto the plastic housing,” Balatti continued.