The Nanoplug, a hearing aid that people won't have a problem wearing in public, has been created by a professor who is now raising funds in order to bring the device to the marketplace.
The idea came about when geography professor Nevena Zivic wanted to create a smaller, affordable alternative to the average hearing aid and hired industrial designer Jongha Lee to make it a reality, according to CNET. The device is the same size as a tiny eraser, and its creators claim that it's the smallest hearing aid in history.
The way people look at those who wear hearing aids was a big focus for the Nanoplug, and Sivic says the device is so small that it won't be visible once it is inside the user's ear. Lee said the nanobattery, which was compared to a grain of sand, will last for a week on a single charge.
"Social stigma still hinders people from taking advantage of ordinary hearing aids, but with the Nanoplug, we can say goodbye to bulky, embarrassing and expensive aids," Zivic said.
The Indiegogo campaign for the Nanoplug has proven to be a success, with the $80,000 goal already being surpassed with $129,000 raised, CNET reported. Potential backers have until Dec. 28 to show their support.
