Empowering Veterans: VA New Jersey Healthcare System Collaborates with Xander on Prototype Smart Captioning Glasses

VANJHCS became an iNET site in 2022. Xander is seeking to revolutionize how some people with hearing loss experience the world around them with real-time conversation captioning glasses. Through cutting-edge technology and an unwavering commitment to improving quality of life, Xander's technology seeks to establish a new benchmark in assistive devices for the deaf and hard of hearing. 

Returning from military service, many Veterans face a new challenge - hearing loss. Striving to reintegrate into civilian life, they sometimes battle isolation and more due to communication barriers. To address this issue and others for people who experience hearing loss, Xander developed their smart captioning glasses, which represent a potential game-changer for the deaf and hard-of-hearing communities. This innovative wearable technology displays real-time captions during conversations and social interactions, enabling individuals with hearing loss to engage fully in their surroundings without missing a beat. 

Recognizing the tremendous potential of Xander's smart captioning glasses, VANJHCS Audiologists and other staff also lent their professional expertise to the session. "Collaborations like this allow us the opportunity to show Veterans that we are passionate about their healthcare experiences, both now and into the future, at VA and in the community," said Dave Brimmer, Innovation Specialist at VANJHCS. "It's important that we can leverage our decades of professional expertise through iNET's Greenhouse Initiative to assist companies like Xander with this type of feedback. Especially when they are creating a device that would benefit some Veterans so much." 

The work was accomplished through the lens of Human-Centered Design, which focuses on people's experiences to improve product design. Xander's team collected dozens of data points on their mid-stage prototype directly from Veterans and world-class healthcare providers, which they will use to refine and customize the smart captioning glasses even further. By fostering a human-centered design approach and committing to maintaining these established feedback loops, the company's founders ensure that their product will meet the needs of Veterans and more. 

The real impact of this collaboration lies in transforming the lives of hard-of-hearing Veterans and restoring their sense of belonging with families, friends, and communities. With the upgraded smart captioning glasses, Veterans can actively participate in more conversations, enjoy social events, and regain their independence. By alleviating the barriers imposed by hearing impairments, the glasses also instill a renewed sense of confidence and empowerment. 

Through innovation prototyping and design collaboration, VA New Jersey Healthcare System and Xander have achieved another step towards a remarkable feat- significantly improving the quality of life for people with hearing loss. Click here to learn more about Xander and its smart captioning glasses. If you would like to leverage the power of VHA's Innovators Network in your prototyping and design work for Veterans, click here to learn more about the Greenhouse Initiative. VA New Jersey Healthcare System is committed to improving the care that Veterans, caregivers, and eligible dependents receive now and in the future.