From Concept to Reality: How Our Users Shaped the ACETT Device
We started the ACETT project with a simple but ambitious goal: to enhance auditory communication through the sense of touch. But we knew we couldn’t do it alone. From day one, ACETT was developed using a User-Driven Design (UDD) approach, ensuring that the product we built was not just for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community, but with them.
A Partnership with Our Users
Our UDD philosophy wasn’t just a buzzword. It was a hands-on, iterative process. We invited deaf beta-testers to our labs month after month to test our earliest prototypes. They provided the crucial, real-world feedback that guided the entire design and development of the device.
This close collaboration was essential. Our beta-testers didn’t just find bugs; they shared their enthusiasm and helped us see the real-world potential of ACETT.
Honing Our Method: Evolving the Test Protocol
It wasn’t just the device that evolved; our testing methods did, too. As we moved from early alpha/beta tests to formal pilot clinical trials, our process became more rigorous .
We learned quickly, for example, that our first pilot trial’s design was flawed because it used different word lists for each condition . We immediately corrected this in the second trial by using the same, randomized word lists for comparison . We also refined the test’s difficulty to better simulate real-world conditions, adjusting the conversation volume from 70dB down to a more realistic 65dB.
What Our Testers Are Saying
Here’s a snapshot of what they’ve told us during this journey:
Tester 1: “In general, the device has improved a lot over the years… it is nice to see that our recommendations were considered through this process.”
Tester 2: She is “excited about ACETT and looks helpful.”
Tester 3: He “values the idea of the product alerting him when someone is nearby, helping him pay more attention.”
Tester 4: During the clinical trials, she noted simply that “ACETT was pleasant.”
Tester 5: This interest was echoed by another tester, who stated, “She is interested in ACETT” and wants to be informed if it comes to market.
Tester 6: Perhaps most powerfully, he encouraged us to “Continue the effort… and I believe that it will become a must for every person with an acoustic disability.”
This feedback has been our guiding light, confirming we are on the right track.
The Payoff: Improving Word Comprehension
This rigorous testing allowed us to truly validate ACETT’s potential. Our final pilot trial focused on the most challenging scenarios, including audio-only comprehension in a noisy environment with background “babbling” .
The results were clear and promising. In this difficult audio-only condition, participants’ average word recognition success saw a significant increase when using the ACETT device. The average success rate jumped from 2% without the device to 8% with the device .
This is a powerful indicator of the device’s ability to provide crucial environmental and speech information. We found this improvement even with minimal training , and we conclude that with more extended, structured training, users would see even greater benefits in their daily lives.
From Feedback to Features: The ACETT Evolution
Our users gave us honest, specific feedback, and we listened. Early tests identified key areas for improvement. Users told us they wanted:
- More distinct vibrations, with a clearer “break” between words rather than a continuous, muddled sensation.
- More intense feeling in the music mode.
- Better distinction of high-frequency sounds, such as sirens or bicycle bells, which were less clear than low-frequency sounds.
We are incorporating this feedback directly into our next-generation firmware and hardware.
This user-centric approach has also validated our market strategy. In our June 2023 beta-test, we received strong positive feedback on key metrics:
- Likelihood to Recommend: 4.33 out of 5 .
- Overall Satisfaction: 3.67 out of 5 .
- Price Satisfaction: Crucially, when asked about their satisfaction with a potential price point of €400, our testers gave a positive score of 3.67 out of 5 .
Validated by Leading Professionals
To ensure the highest standard of validation, our clinical study was conducted at a certified audiology center. We are incredibly grateful for the vital contribution of esteemed professionals Dr. Astero Constantinou (Speech and Language Pathologist) and Prof. Chrysoula Thodi (Audiologist), leading professionals in Cyprus with international recognition, who helped guide and oversee this process.
The Future is Continuous: An App and Ongoing Updates
Our UDD journey doesn’t end at launch. We are now developing a dedicated mobile application that will allow us to continue this collaboration with our users. The app will serve two main purposes:
- A Training Module: To provide users with structured training exercises, helping them learn to interpret the vibrotactile sensations more quickly and effectively.
- A Firmware Updater: This will allow us to get continuous feedback from users in the real world and push regular updates to their devices, improving everything from sound processing to vibration patterns.
The ACETT device is a testament to the power of collaboration. It was built with the deaf and hard-of-hearing community, for the community, and we are excited to continue this journey together.