Audio Y Cable Connector for Hearing Aid and Earbud Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hearing aid technologies do not provide a comprehensive solution for a hearing impaired person to privately connect a hearing aid device to a remote electronic device and an earbud headphone, limiting personalized audio input options.
Innovation Solution
A combination audio input and hearing aid kit that includes a hearing aid device, an audio Y cable connector with specific port configurations, and an earbud headphone, allowing direct electrical connections to both the hearing aid device and a remote electronic device, such as a cellular phone or tablet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a hearing aid device is used to connect to a remote electronic device, then audio input capability is improved, but device complexity increases due to requiring multiple connection components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the hearing aid device with an audio Y cable connector and earbud headphone into a single integrated kit. The Y cable connector merges multiple connection functions (hearing aid port, earbud port, remote device port) into one unified component structure, allowing simultaneous connection to multiple devices while reducing the number of separate components the user must manage.
Solution Approach 2:
The hearing aid device in the kit is designed with multi-functionality to serve both as a hearing aid and as an audio input device for remote electronic devices. The integrated connector system allows the same hardware to function in multiple modes: traditional hearing aid operation, connection to remote devices for audio streaming, and simultaneous dual-ear configuration, thereby improving adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a combination kit with multiple connection options is provided, then personalized audio input options are improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to multiple selective connections
Solution Approach 1:
The kit segments the connection system into distinct, pre-configured components: a hearing aid device with integrated electronics, an audio Y cable connector with clearly defined ports, an earbud headphone, and a remote electronic device. Each component has a specific function and connection point, reducing the cognitive load on users by providing clear, discrete connection steps rather than requiring them to figure out a monolithic complex system.
Data Source
AI summary
A combination audio input and hearing aid kit including a hearing aid device. An audio Y cable connector has a pair of upper ports and a lower port. A first audio cable has a proximal end selectively electrically coupled to the hearing aid device and a distal end selectively electrically coupled to a first of the pair of upper ports of the audio Y cable connector. An earbud headphone is selectively electrically coupled to a second of the pair of upper ports of the audio Y cable connector. Lastly, a second audio cable has a first end selectively electrically coupled to the lower port of the audio Y cable connector and a second end selectively electrically coupled to a remote electronic device.