Design and Development of a System to Wake Up People with Hearing Loss Based on Biodesign Methodology

Hearing loss represents 20% of the world's population, while in Colombia this condition reaches the 1,2%. It is a condition in which activities of daily living, such as waking up in the morning, can become a challenge. Some technologies have been implemented but difficulties such as the adaptability of the equipment, comfort regarding device design and effectiveness of the technology to wake the user remain in its use. Part of the success in the use of these technologies lies in a good needs identification stage, as is recommended for the Biodesign framework, a methodology to design and build health technologies. This work presents the design and development of an alternative system for the comfortable awakening of people with hearing loss, using the Biodesign methodology. The system obtained includes a tabletop device and a wireless portable instrument, with visual and tactile stimulation respectively. Preliminary results obtained show that the system is viable, and responds to basic needs identified.