Singapore has a rigid regulatory environment for advertising of pharmaceutical products. Even when it comes to health-care devices, they need to be registered with the Health Sciences Authority. But there’s an exception. Certain low risk medical devices are exempted from product registration. Hearing Aide is a sound recognition app that turns smart phones and tablets into a warning device for the deaf. The app doesn't need any prescription from Healthcare Professionals and since it doesn't cure a person’s medical condition, it falls under low risk category. So developing and launching the app was never a problem.

The Deaf community is always at the disadvantage when it comes to reacting to critical warning sounds like sirens and alarms. Because of their inability to hear these sounds, they lag behind when it comes to running for safety or taking any action.

The Singapore Association of the Deaf wanted a tech solution to make the life of deaf people safer and easier. They wanted a device that can be made easily available to 360 million deaf people worldwide.

A mobile phone is one thing that most of deaf people carry with them all the time. We decided to empower them through their smart phones by turning it into a warning device.

We created Hearing Aide. A first-of-its-kind sound recognition app for the deaf. It identifies critical sounds that needs a deaf person’s attention and alerts them through vibratory alerts, push notifications and flashing lights.

The app was downloaded many times. It was featured on major news channels, newspapers, journals, blogs and technology portals. After its media launch, it generated SGD $ 340,286 in advertising value and SGD $ 1,020,858 in PR Value.

To make lives of deaf people easier and safer worldwide, without asking them to make any changes in their world. The app we created works on smart phones, which most deaf people carry these days. Plus, the added option of recording your own alert sound with the app appeals to each and every deaf person, anywhere in the world.

We created Hearing Aide, a sound recognition app that identifies critical sounds and warns the deaf through vibrations, visual message and flashing lights.

The app is easily accessible as it can be downloaded and used on any android-based smart phone or tablet.

We also added a recording feature with the app that helps deaf people record sounds they want to be alerted about. This feature makes it possible for the app to be used anywhere in the world.

Hearing Aide was well received by the Deaf community, as it has a positive impact on millions of lives worldwide. The app was featured on major news channels, newspapers, journals, blogs and technology portals. After its media launch, Hearing Aide generated SGD $ 340,286 (Advertising Value Equivalent) and SGD $ 1,020,858 (PR Value). The PR on various news and tech media channels has also put the spotlight on the needs of the Deaf community, while inspiring others to create more ideas that will help improve their quality of life.

Most deaf people carry smart phones these days. This is one device that’s always there with them. So we decided to find a solution that reaches them through this multipurpose device. We designed an app that uses the sound-capturing features of a smart phone and turns it into a personal warning device for the deaf.

Lives of 360 million deaf people worldwide are always at risk because critical sounds like war sirens, natural calamity sirens, sirens on emergency vehicles, fire alarm, etc. never reach them. It’s fine when there’s someone around to warn them and guide them to safety. But when they’re alone, they become very vulnerable.

They always lag behind when it comes to running for safety or taking quick action. Reason why, we’ve seen many deaf people losing their lives during natural calamities and wars.