Design and implementation of a hearing aid development board

• Ano de defesa: 2025
• Autor(a) principal: Carlet, João Victor Colombari
• Tipo de documento: Dissertação
• Tipo de acesso: Acesso aberto
• Idioma: eng
• Instituição de defesa: Biblioteca Digitais de Teses e Dissertações da USP
• Palavras-chave em Português: aparelho auditivo; assistência auditiva; código aberto; development kit; hardware; hearing aid; hearing assistance; hearing loss; kit de desenvolvimento; open-source; perda auditiva; processamento de sinal; signal processing; vestível; wearable
• Link de acesso: https://www.teses.usp.br/teses/disponiveis/18/18155/tde-31072025-082100/

Hearing loss is among the most prevalent global disabilities, often linked to social stigma and serious conditions such as dementia and hearing aids are the primary intervention. However, in Brazil, their high cost and limited public funding leave a large portion of the population without access. While several open-source solutions have emerged to mitigate this issue, most target research environments, relying on single-board computers with minimal constraints on power, size, or cost. Few initiatives focus on practical, end-user devices with modern features, revealing a significant gap in the literature. To address this, an architecture was proposed using off-the-shelf, low-power, and compact components, followed by the design of a dedicated Printed Circuit Board (PCB). The system integrates a Nordic nRF5340 processor, an Analog Devices ADAU1787 audio codec, a Bosch BMI270 Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), transducers and sensors from PUI Audio and Knowles, and a rechargeable power system based on the Nordic nPM1100. The complete hardware development cycle was undertaken, including schematic design, PCB layout, and mechanical form factor definition for wearable applications. The resulting open-source platform provides a practical foundation for future research and real-world implementations aimed at broadening access to hearing healthcare.