Smart Hard Hat: Exploring Shape Changing Hearing Protection

In this paper we present the Smart Hard Hat; an interactive hard hat that aims to protect the hearing health of construction workers by utilising shape shifting technology. The device responds to loud noises by automatically closing earmuffs around the wearer's ears, warning them of the damage that is being caused while taking away the need to consciously protect yourself. Construction workers are particularly vulnerable to noise-induced hearing loss, so this was the target user for this design. Initial testing revealed that the Smart Hard Hat effectively blocks out noise, that there is a possibility to expand the design to new user groups, and that there is potential in using shape-changing technologies to protect personal health.