Alice Eamsherangkoon
Alice Eamsherangkoon
Closeup with HA.png

Eargo Neo

Charging case for hearing aids

OVERVIEW

Over 48 million Americans suffer from hearing loss but less than 20% actually do anything about it. One of the biggest reasons is social stigma. 

Eargo’s discreet hearing aids and elegant case help individuals sidestep this fear of stigma, empowering them to re-engage with their surroundings and live life to the fullest.

 

COLLABORATORS

Tom Bergner,
Jonathan Aase

ROLE

Industrial Design,
Mechanical Engineering

AWARDS

  • 2021 IDSA IDEA Awards

    (Jury Chair’s Award, People’s Choice Award, Bronze in Health & Medical)

  • 2020 Edison Award (Silver)

  • 2019 Good Design Award

 
 

THE CHALLENGE

Build on the original charger’s pebble form factor and enhance the user experience for customers to easily store and charge their Eargo Neo hearing aids on the go.

 
 
 

CONCEPT IDEATION & REFINEMENT

I explored different ways to streamline the charging cradle interface and incorporate subtle features to secure the hearing aids in place, while maintaining the exterior pebble form of the previous generation.

 
 

RAPID PROTOTYPING

 

3D prints were used to compare different form factors. The lid magnetic closure was prototyped with magnets of varying strengths to achieve a satisfying snap.

 
 

THE RESULT

EASIER ASSEMBLY

 

Parts were consolidated whenever possible to improve ease of assembly and reduce assembly time. The new redesign reduced total part count by 44% while improving part quality and finish.

 
 
 

improved charging reliability

A combination of physical features to hold the hearing aids in place and indicators to alert the user if they’re not properly inserted in the case reduces the occurrence of charging issues.

 
 

DESIGN FOR DELIGHT

Upon first glance, it appears that the exterior of the Neo charger is one smooth continuous surface. When the lid is removed, previously hidden light pipes light up to indicate how much charge is left in the Neo hearing aids and charging case. The cradle pockets also light up to indicate that the hearing aids are properly seated.

 
 
 

RESULT

Eargo Neo was launched in early 2019 with an annual production of ~30K units. Users who upgraded from the previous version complimented the new charging case form factor, improved charging reliability, and intuitive LED indicators.

The charging case design was also carried over to the following generation, Neo HiFi, released a year later.