New Devices Like Solar-Powered Hearing Aid Help Poor
From: Product Design & Development - 09/12/2011
By: Maria Cheng

Instead of the usual donated medicines and health equipment, some experts are
inventing new products for the poor, like a solar-powered hearing aid or a
motorcycle ambulance. 

The solar-powered device was designed by Andrew Carr, a mechanical engineer
in Cambridge, who noticed most hearing aids donated to Africa don't help
because they treat a different type of hearing loss more prevalent in the
West. The hearing aid Carr developed must be held close to the ear to work,
but doesn't have to be worn inside. 

Carr's device has an internal solar-powered battery and can be looped into a
necklace or attached to a hat so it's next to the person's ear. "It blends in
with local tribal cultures better than the light pink hearing aids for
Caucasians that get donated," Carr said. Carr is in talks with some charities
about testing the hearing aid in Africa and hopes to secure more funding to
mass produce the device. 

Read the entire article at:
http://pddnet.com/news-new-devices-like-motorcycle-ambulances-help-poor-091211/

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/life/health/to-help-the-poor-experts-invent-solar-powered-hearing-aids-motorcycle-ambulances-129636133.html