Iterative Prototypes as ‘Boundary Objects’: Facilitating Interdisciplinary Collaboration of a Modular Hearing Aid

Abstract

ABSTRACT This article investigates the use of iterative prototyping to facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration in the design and development of an innovative self-fit modular hearing aid. The design process for the hearing aid generated over 200 iterative models, each of which was additive manufactured in plastic, polymer, plaster or metal. The team developed a system for understanding the contribution of prototypes by situating these as variously propositional, material, mechanical, experiential or behavioural. Throughout the design process the hearing aid prototypes operated as boundary objects at the intersection of disciplines. They assisted the interdisciplinary team to integrate their domain-specific knowledge and collaborate across boundaries. The paper argues that boundary objects are a helpful way to collaborate in innovative projects.

Keywords:

• iterative prototypes
• hearing aids
• collaboration
• boundary objects
• small wins
• additive manufacturing
• biomedical design
• human centred design
• hearing loss
• socio-material practice

Acknowledgements

The author would like to acknowledge Blamey Saunders hears for the opportunity to be involved in this project; the Australian Government's Accelerating Commercialisation Grant; and Professor Robyn Healy and Associate Professor Paul Beckett as members of the supervisory team.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Leah Heiss

Dr Leah Heiss is an RMIT academic and practicing designer working at the nexus of design, health, and technology. Her practice traverses device, service and experience and her process is deeply collaborative, working with experts from nanotechnology, engineering and health services through to manufacturing. Her health technology projects include jewellery to administer insulin through the skin for diabetics; biosignal sensing emergency jewellery; swallowable devices to detect disease; IoT wearables to assess for loneliness; and new forms for hearing technologies. She is interested in how therapeutic technologies can be humanized through interdisciplinary collaboration, meaningful user engagement and a more holistic view of the role of prototyping in the design process.