According to the World Report on Hearing published by the World Health Organization in 2021, approximately 1.5 billion people worldwide (20% of the population) are affected by hearing loss, and this number is projected to rise to 2.5 billion by 2050. As the population with hearing loss continues to grow, the ways of perceiving sound have expanded beyond the traditional auditory domain, with touch gradually becoming an important alternative sense.

At present, the hearing-impaired community faces three major pain points:

Limitations in perceiving sound: Inability to perceive musical rhythm, frequency, and emotional nuances through hearing.

Difficulties in social participation: A tendency to feel isolated during musical activities, with limited sense of involvement and opportunities for interaction.

Insufficient emotional connection: Difficulty in sensing the atmosphere of music in the moment, resulting in hindered emotional resonance.

To address these challenges, we designed TouchTune, a wearable device that transforms sound into multi-frequency vibrations. This device not only enables people with hearing loss to experience the rhythm and frequency of music but also enhances their participation in social activities, offering a richer sensory experience and deeper emotional connection.

Product features include:

Music-to-vibration module: Three independent vibration modules that simulate diverse types of music.

Emotional interaction and sharing: Using light and vibration modules to convey musical experiences to others, fostering communication and participation.

Personalized music experience: Recording emotional responses and integrating with an app to replay the atmosphere of the moment, creating a unique and customized music experience.

Link to Awarded Website：https://www.undesignawards.com/winners/view/no/332.html