Technology to improve the lives of handicapped people has brought us all kinds of incredible objects. From bionic body parts to inventive gadgets for the blind, inventors have been hard at work leveling the playing field for all humans. These devices for the deaf and hard of hearing help hearing impaired people communicate with the hearing world and keep up with all of the most important things in life.

Deafinite Style

Aimed at a youngish clientele, the Deafinite Style hearing aid provides a uniquely stylish way to augment hearing that was either damaged by loud noises or impaired from birth. The jewelry-style earpiece was designed by German firm DesignAffairs Studio and uses a wearer’s stretched earlobe piercings to hold the body of the hearing aid. Perhaps it would only appeal to a small segment of the hearing impaired population, but to those who resist hearing aids because of their ugly, utilitarian appearance this invention could be a perfect match.

Tactile Sound Alerts

Most of us in the hearing world take for granted the fact that we can hear a variety of events taking place around us. The Aria is an attractive bracelet with a hidden function: it lets the wearer know when certain aural events are going on. The bracelet has little plastic nubs on the inside that rub against the wearer’s wrist to alert him or her to a ringing phone, a baby monitor, a doorbell, emergency sirens, an alarm clock, or a smoke alarm. Associated lights indicate which sound has activated the bracelet, letting the wearer direct his or her attention to the appropriate place.

Speak Easy Phone

Before the proliferation of text messaging, many hearing impaired people had to rely on relay calls in order to communicate via phone. These calls can be uncomfortable for both parties since there is a third party listening in and translating between typed words and text. Designer Suhyun Kim took the relay operator out of the equation with her Visual Sound phone concept. The deaf user types her end of the conversation into the phone and the phone itself translates the text into speech. Those who already use text messaging or email to communicate wouldn’t get much use out of this invention, but older people who are not as comfortable with those options may find that this is an easier-to-grasp option.

Theater Translator

Have you ever thought about how hearing impaired people see movies in the theater? There are screenings with captions at many theaters, but they are often scheduled at inconvenient times. These captioning glasses, being developed by Sony, will let hearing impaired movie-goers see captions for movies while everyone else in the theater watches a caption-free showing. The text for the movie will be transmitted directly to the glasses, which will be available for rent at theaters soon.

Seeing the Signs

For those who use primarily sign language to communicate with the world, getting a message across to someone who does not know sign language can be a frustrating endeavor. The Gestics system, envisioned by designer Luise Pescheck, is a portable sign language translator that can be used anywhere to turn sign language into text. Bands worn on the wrists of the signer detect muscle movements and “read” the signs being formed. The words are transmitted to the user’s iPhone and displayed on a projected screen. The screen, of course, is not part of the current generation of iPhones, so this concept is still a long way from becoming reality…if it ever does.

Watch Where You Touch

People who are not only deaf but blind as well have double the obstacles when it comes to communicating with the world. This timepiece concept is meant to help deaf/blind people keep in touch with reality by providing the current time via a series of raised dots on its surface. Small dots arranged in lines take the place of a clock’s hands, pushing up against a thin membrane in positions that indicate the time – just in the way that a traditional clock would. The Helen Keller Watch concept was designed by students Andrea Seitner and Katharina Unger.

Hidden Translations

While some hearing impaired people avoid hearing aids out of embarrassment, technology is making it easier and easier to disguise a hearing problem. The Babelfisk concept, designed by Mads Hindhede, is a pair of glasses equipped with internal electronics that turn spoken words into speech bubbles right in front of the wearer’s eyes. Twin projectors place the speech bubbles directly onto the glasses’ lenses. Conversations would be simple to follow and participate in thanks to real-time, inconspicuous captioning. It may be a little alarming to see someone’s eyes darting around while they read rapidly changing text, though.

Show and Tell

Sign language interpreters are not exactly hard to find, but when there is not one around and a deaf person needs to communicate with hearing people via sign language, this awesome system would be priceless. The Texting Glove, invented by a group of Google developers, senses the signs being formed by the wearer’s hand and translates them into text through an Android phone. The promising technology might have all of those professional sign language interpreters fearing for their jobs in the near future.

Prosthetic limb technology has come a very long way since the days of peg legs and hook hands. With advances in cybernetic technology, prosthetic limbs are now able to be connected directly to the user’s nervous system so they can be moved by the mind just like natural limbs. These incredible prosthetic limb designs are at the forefront of cybernetic development – some are real, some are still concepts, but they are all amazing.

(image via: Daily Mail)

The world’s first robotic ankle was developed by a team at MIT especially for war veterans who have lost their legs in combat. The design is a huge improvement over previous legs which cause quick fatigue in users due to inefficient movements. The MIT ankle is flexible and propels wearers along with a small motor and a series of springs, cutting down on fatigue and giving wearers a much more natural gait.

(images via: Gajitz)

It is far from conventional, but this curling prosthetic arm concept designed by industrial design student Kaylene Kau is functional and definitely memorable. Rather than featuring flesh tones or a realistic-looking arm and hand, this prosthetic takes on a far more industrial appearance. Its articulating segments roll up to wrap around objects in order to manipulate them and move them around. While it would not be the best solution for those who like to maintain a low profile, it would be a very distinctive accessory for the adventurous and playful amputee.

(images via: Gajitz)

There aren’t many prosthetic devices aimed specifically at one gender or the other, but the Outfeet concept from Aviya Serfaty is a leg made just for women. It is adaptable in order to let the user change up its appearance significantly. Different “skins” can be stretched over the foundation to create a variety of fashionable looks to match whatever function and style the user chooses. A high heel attachment can even be added, letting the wearer dress up this decidedly feminine leg.

(image via: Rex Bionics)

The Robotic Exoskeleton (or Rex) was designed by a New Zealand company to get wheelchair users up and out of the chair and to allow them to walk around freely. The mechanism may look a little intimidating at first, but this amazing machine is about to revolutionize the way paraplegics get around. Rex is kept upright with gyro stabilization, making it exceptionally stable even when the user is in a crowded environment where people are brushing up against the user. And because no crutches are required with Rex, users can use their hands for other activities while standing tall in their new robotic legs.

(images via: Gajitz)

While many prosthesis designers are trying to make their products look more natural and life-like, some are going in the opposite direction and embracing the industrial aesthetic. Such is the case with this arm from Creative DNA Australia, which is all bare metal and futuristic-looking joints. Best of all, it’s got more tools than a Swiss Army knife: a screwdriver, bottle opener, phone, camera and a touch screen are all included in this outrageously different prosthetic arm design.

(images via: Joanna Hawley)

This may be the most overtly stylish prosthesis ever created. It was modeled by designer Joanna Hawley after the iconic furniture and architectural designs of Charles and Ray Eames. Its clean lines, sophisticated appearance and inherent grace reflect a far greater level of humanity and personality than most other prosthetic limbs. The designer wanted to create a prosthetic limb that would give wearers a sense of pride in their appearance rather than embarrassment at wearing an ugly prosthesis.

Invisible speakers, wireless electricity and games you can control with your brain: all of these things may sound like science fiction, but thanks to recent technological innovation, they’re officially within the realm of possibility – or even already available. Some improve quality of life while others are just plain fun, but all of these futuristic gadgets and technologies will knock your socks off with their brilliance.

Bionic Vision with Cybernetic Contact Lenses

What if contact lenses could not only help you see better, but deliver directions, news, email and weather reports directly to your eyes? The technology is already here, according to a report by Babak A. Parviz, a bionanotechnology expert at the University of Washington. Tiny components like LED lights, tiny antennae and special circuits can be embedded into the polymer of a typical contact lens. A small portable device would process the information, and the lenses could even be used to measure and process information about the user’s health.

Miniscule Adjustick Cell Phone

Cell phones are getting smaller and smaller, almost to the point of absurdity – but though this concept takes small size to the extreme, it’s also functional. The Adjustick was one of many futuristic cell phone concepts shown at Japan’s CEATEC technology convention. The stick-like device projects a usable keyboard and screen when placed on its side.

Games You Control with Your Brain

This alien-looking headset looks capable of doing some insidious things to your brain, but it’s actually a gaming headset by Emotiv that allows you to play a variety of concentration-based games on a Windows PC. That’s right, it actually uses your brain waves to play the games in which you can push and pull boulders, levitate objects and perform other telekinesis-like actions. It works by matching certain brain activities – like concentrating or thinking about something in particular – with certain actions during a calibration that you perform before starting the game.

Portable Gadget That Shoots You to Rooftops

Anyone who has ever admired Batman’s ability to go from street level to the rooftop of a skyscraper in seconds will love the Atlas Rope Ascender, an awesome reverse-rappelling portable gadget that can lift a fully-outfitted soldier up to 600 feet at 10 ft/second on a single battery charge. The device has been tested by military, police and rescue organizations, who might have felt cool while using it, but probably lamented the lack of a cape.

Flexible Customizable Laptop Concept

An eBook reader, full-size tablet, tabletop presentation screen, desktop computer and conventional laptop all in one… it might sound impossible, but designer Tommaso Gecchelin’s MacBook Touch does it all. Theoretically, that is – the integral part of the design that allows such flexibility, called the iSpine, relies on technology that doesn’t exist yet. But the idea has potential, and it’s a tantalizing possibility for anyone who has ever daydreamed about such an achievement in multi-functionality.

18-Button Computer Mouse

If you wonder why on earth a computer mouse would need 18 buttons, perhaps the Warmouse OOMouse isn’t for you. But those who see the potential of this customizable little gadget will be able to save a whole lot of time by packing tons of functions into the press of a button. It’s designed to be used with Open Office, but could also be used with other applications.

Get Directions from a Rainwater-Powered Manhole

Wouldn’t it be nice if, when visiting a new city, you could simply get directions from a nearby urban object instead of unfolding and puzzling over a map? A concept called the EcoSign would turn ubiquitous manhole covers into rainwater-powered information centers that can give you directions. The only problem is, manhole covers tend to be in the middle of busy streets – not exactly safe places for tourists to congregate.

Amoeba Cell Phone

This strange little hunk of ergonomic plastic doesn’t resemble any cell phones currently in mainstream use, but its unusual design isn’t all about aesthetics. The Amoeba Phone contours to the user’s face while in use, and its entire surface is a touch screen.

Invisible Speakers

Speakers are invariably ugly, and even tiny models that pack a big aural punch are just another object to clutter your living space. But an innovative new type of speaker is virtually invisible, pouring surprisingly decent sound forth from a clear membrane across your television screen. Edge Motion invisible speakers work by using piezoelectric actuators to cause sound vibrations in the membrane, which don’t affect the picture quality. The technology is set to be included in a range of upcoming consumer products like hand-held games and portable DVD players.

Prosthetic Limbs Powered by the Mind

Stiff plastic prosthetic limbs may help amputees feel whole again, but they don’t offer much in the way of independence. Luckily for Christian Kandlbauer, who lost both of his arms in a work accident in 2005, amazing new advances in prosthesis technology have enabled him to do things for himself again – through the power of his mind. Kandlbauer is equipped with incredible new prosthetic arms that are wired to his nerves, a procedure that only three surgeons in the world can perform. Now, Kandlbauer can activate his “muscle” movement with impulses from his brain.

Virtual Reality Treadmill

One of the biggest challenges to making virtual reality a – well – reality, is locomotion. Anyone trying to navigate a VR environment needs to be able to walk in any direction, but treadmills only move in one direction. Until now. CyberCarpet is an omni-directional treadmill that densely packs small balls under a walking surface, letting the friction of the user’s shoes to do the moving. The CyberCarpet’s usefulness doesn’t end at gaming, though – it can be used for therapy, training and other applications as well.

Alarm Clock Grades Your Sleep Quality

When it comes to your health, few things are quite as important as getting plenty of sleep. But the quality of your sleep is just as vital as the length of time that you spend in bed each night. A futuristic new alarm clock design called the Zeo alarm clock tracks how much time you spend in each stage of sleep through a thin headband worn by the user, reporting your ‘sleep score’ in the morning. It even has a function that can wake you up at the ideal point in your sleep cycle, so you feel more refreshed.

Bed with Built-In TV, Movie Screen & Video Games

Not only is the slick HiCan bed super cozy and modern, it’s also equipped with everything you need to spend the rest of your life as a media-consuming blob – or at least, be extremely entertained on sick days. This all-in-one bed and entertainment center has a pull-down projection screen, integrated gaming system, built-in lights, and even a control panel that allows you to control your home’s window shades and lighting. The price tag of 42,000 Euro puts this amazing piece of furniture firmly in daydream territory for most.

No Longer Sci-Fi: Wireless Electricity

Imagine being able to place your electronics anywhere you want, with no regard to whether there’s a power outlet nearby. It would cut a whole lot of clutter and eliminate hazards to children, pets and clumsy adults. Somehow it seems like wireless electricity should already be a reality, but there have always been obstacles in the way. However, engineers at MIT  have worked out the kinks and wireless power could be in our homes as early as 2011.

Cybernetic Reading Through Implanted Device

When you come across a word you aren’t familiar with, perhaps you just skip it over or go through the trouble of looking it up in a dictionary or online. Wouldn’t it be so much easier if you could just place your finger over the word and magically hear its definition and pronunciation in your ear? Incredible as it seems, the Touch Hear concept would do just that, minus the magic part. An implanted device in the fingertip recognizes the characters while another device in the ear relays the information. It’s still just a concept, but it could be a viable future option – particularly for blind readers.