Help needed please. DD has been asked to 'create a device that you could use for one of the senses'

[singyswife]

i.e if you lost your hearing what would help?? If you went blind what could you use??

I cannot for the life of me come up with something other than things have already been done (i.e Braille etc). HELP.

A horn/cone to put in the ear to effectively enlarge the pinna and channel more sound towards the eardrum?

That sounds like something that is already in use is it not??? That might be a good thing, I will run it past dd. She had came up with a dual hearing aid connected by a headband with a wire running across the top. Trying to explain to her that these things are wireless and connect to the ear was fun .

What about a touchy feely thing, withloads of diff textures? Good for people with sensoryissues maybe?

Another one to run past her. They are meant to try and 'sell it to the Dragons' when they are done. Woopie

It has to be something original???

How old is your DD and what subject is this for? Do you know what the learning objectives are?

I have sensory issues, including very sensitive hearing. Earplugs don't work because they aggravate my ears (I have psoriasis in my ears). So some earplugs which are comfortable to wear would be great!

Or if mail order companies could do fabric samples of the cloth they use to make their clothes. I hate the feel of certain materials on my arms

Singyswife, I'm sorry to be po-faced, but her idea sounds very good. IMO she should run with what SHE thought of. Obviously hearing aids have moved on from what she describes (I had a lecture on them on Friday - her idea sounds very like a Victorian hearing aid we saw) but presumably they're not actually supposed to come up with an amazing new invention, just have an idea?? Maybe the wire could be decorated in some way, making the idea of wearing a hearing aid more fun for children? All sounds perfectly possible to me. Sorry if this is rude, I am petrified at the thought of homework for ds but do believe very strongly that if a child actually produces an idea, it should be run with?

Aah earplugs for sensitive hearing, never thought of that. Only thought of complete deafness and aids to help that. Thank you

what about a textured material to guide someone with poor sight to a fire exit?
like sandpaper, so you rely on the sense of touch.

choosyfloosy, I think that may be an idea for children. thank you for pointing that out. I hadnt thought of how difficult it must be for children to be 'different' and somehting orogonal like this may be a good idea. She likes to be creative and decorate etc so maybe I will just go with this.

It was the fact that the teachers had said, sell it it the dragons I assumed they wanted something totally new and I was struggling with this.

Thank you for making me rethink

oh phew, you are very nice singyswife, i was just breaking out into a sweat!

god i really dread the homework starting next year the only homework i ever had at primary school was 'find a picture of a duck'

have just said to her that this would be a good device for children and she got excited so I think we are going to go with that.

Thank you all

No no its ok choosyfloosy, thank you for making me rethink.

I have an idea. Go with the one she thought of but expand on it so it is 'new'.

an ear piece that connects to an Ipod or Mp3 player that turns the music into specific sounds that the partially deaf people can hear ????

I'm sure the dragons would invest.

How about a multi sensory book or poster for a child's room.

Lots of textures - touch
Buttons to press that make a sound/talk or explain, etc - hearing
Colourful images - sight
Areas which you rub and they give off a scent - smell
??? - taste

I think an educational poster might work for this one - how about a "5 a day" type poster. Could be one in a series of posters for use in nurseries, schools or bedrooms.