THE PRODUCT
Deaf Lids™ is a patented modular foam system that protects cochlear implants from damage when active. Uses range from biking to skiing.
Video created by Katelyn Murphy, 2023
What is the problem and what even is it?
This same foam that cushions the skull from the brunt of the impact presents a big problem for users with cochlear implants. It uncomfortably and unsafely pushes on the external portion of a cochlear implant, which causes damage to the implant and the customer's head itself. Helmets are designed to press tightly against the skull and loosening a helmet to fit a cochlear implant will have a significantly lesser effect in cushioning the impact.
As seen in the video, the original foam in the helmet gets replaced by fully customizable foam pieces that fit around the implant, not over it. These are customized by cochlear implant brand, size of head and placement of the implant on a customer's head. This allows the user to feel safe going down a mountain or out on a trail, with a helmet working for them, not against them. The foam system allows for the implant to fall off during impact, but not out of the helmet.​​​​​​