A directional alert device for
deaf individuals

Cochlea Cap detects sound and specifies the direction using haptic feedback, giving users 360-degree situational awareness without the need for expensive surgery.

70 Million people worldwide are deaf.

High Cost of Implants

Solutions for deafness such as Cochlear Implants cost more than 1 crore 23 lakh BDT. Additionally, not everyone is eligible for this highly invasive surgery.

Affordability Crisis

80% of deaf individuals belong to low and middle-income families who simply cannot afford these expensive medical procedures.

Accessibility Gap Illustration

A simple, effective solution.

Deaf people can understand almost everything happening in front of them when they keep all their attention forward. They are often pro-observers and can read lips. The same would happen for left, right, and back if they only focus on a single direction.

Armband in Use

Directional Haptic Feedback

Cochlea Cap detects a sound and specifies the direction with four vibrators which are attached to an armband. This allows the user to immediately know where a sound—like a car horn or someone calling them—is coming from, keeping them safe on the streets.

Tested in Dhaka, the noisiest city on earth.

  • Background Noise: Intensity ranged from 50 dB to 85 dB.

  • Speed & Intensity: Vehicles with high speed usually have high-intensity horns. Trucks run faster and have more intense horns than local buses.

  • Smart Threshold (95 dB): By setting the threshold to 95 dB, the device only signals for loud, approaching vehicles, filtering out the constant <85 dB background crowd noise.

Sound Measurement Chart

Glimpse of the past 4 years

3

Working Models

Iterated through Cochlea Cap 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 to perfect the directional feedback.

10

Awards Won

Secured 10 prizes among 13 participations, including 1 international award.

01

Research Paper

Documented feasibility and acoustic studies in a published research paper.

Cochlea Cap 1.0
Cochlea Cap 2.0
Awards

Future Plan

Our Companion App

A real-time dashboard displaying sound levels, device status, and emergency SOS alerts mapped to GPS coordinates.

Cochlea Cap 4.0

Using advanced INMP441 sensors and integrating Machine Learning to specifically classify sounds (e.g. sirens vs horns). Field testing directly with deaf individuals.

Cochlea Cap 5.0

Utilizing Lidar Sensors to scan surroundings and present a real-time 3D map on our app, similar to autonomous vehicle vision systems.