A pair of hacked hearing aids allow Frank Swain to hear wifi. After partnering with artist and programmer Daniel Jones, writer Frank Swain used his progressive hearing loss to turn the data waves that surround us into a tangible form one can observe with their senses. In addition to being able to hear wifi, Swain reached out to photographer Stefanie Posavec so make them visible too.
The altered hearing aids are Bluetooth-enabled Halo ones which provide the grounds for the experimental Phantom Terrains, a platform to showcase sonic frequencies resulting from wireless data. The goal behind this project is to use "hearing as a platform for augmented reality that can immerse us in continuous, dynamic streams of data" and to reposition hearing aids as an enhancement to surpass natural human hearing rather than a prosthetic.
Sonic Wifi Experiments
Frank Swain Can Physically Hear Wireless Data With His Hacked Hearing Aids
Trend Themes
1. Augmented Reality Hearing - The development of Phantom Terrains highlights the potential of using hearing as a platform for augmented reality that immerses us in continuous, dynamic streams of data.
2. Hacked Wearable Devices - The hacked hearing aids are an example of the potential for modifying wearable devices to enhance human capabilities beyond their original intention.
3. Data Sonification - The audio representation of wireless data through Phantom Terrains highlights the potential for sonification of data as a way to make it more accessible and meaningful to users.
Industry Implications
1. Hearing Aid Manufacturing - Manufacturers of hearing aids can explore the potential of integrating wireless data detection and sonification features to provide users with a more inclusive and immersive experience.
2. Artificial Intelligence - The integration of AI in hearing aids can enable the development of advanced features such as dynamic noise cancellation, speech recognition and audio-based augmented reality experiences.
3. Data Visualization - Data visualization companies can explore the potential of sonification as an alternative way to represent data and enhance the accessibility and impact of their visualizations.