Auditory Prosthesis Self-Adaptive Sound Processing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current auditory prostheses, such as hearing aids and cochlear implants, lack a reliable method for optimizing sound processing parameters for individual users in varying acoustic environments, often requiring clinical adjustments and resulting in inefficient and time-consuming processes.

Innovation Solution

A programmable auditory prosthesis with user-controlled and automatically adjustable sound processing parameters, allowing users to select optimal settings for their preferences in different environments, which are then stored and used to calculate optimal processing factors for future use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If clinical adjustments are used to optimize sound processing parameters for individual users, then the reliability of sound processing optimization is improved, but the time required for fitting and adjustment increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesound processing optimizationVSAvoidclinical fitting time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The prosthesis automatically adjusts sound processing parameters by analyzing acoustic environments and applying previously stored user preference data, eliminating the need for continuous clinical adjustments and enabling self-optimization in real-time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system stores user preference selections from training sessions and uses this feedback to automatically adjust processing parameters in subsequent use, creating a closed-loop system that continuously improves performance based on user responses

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual adjustment of processing factors is allowed for user preference, then the adaptability to individual user needs is improved, but the complexity of operation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser preference adaptationVSAvoidparameter adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary training sessions where users adjust parameters under supervised conditions, storing these preferences for automatic application during normal use, thereby simplifying subsequent operation while maintaining adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from static manual adjustment to dynamic automatic adjustment, where processing factors are continuously adapted based on stored user preferences and current acoustic conditions, reducing operational complexity while preserving adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If automatic adjustment of processing factors is implemented, then the productivity of fitting process is improved, but the measurement precision of user preferences may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefitting process efficiencyVSAvoiduser preference accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary training sessions where users manually adjust parameters under supervised conditions, capturing precise user preferences before automatic adjustment is enabled, thereby ensuring measurement precision is maintained during the productivity-enhancing automatic phase

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies automatic adjustment partially - only after training sessions have established baseline user preferences - thereby maintaining precision for critical parameters while gaining productivity benefits for routine adjustments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS7889879B2Programmable auditory prosthesis with trainable automatic adaptation to acoustic conditions

Publication Date: 2011.02.15 SIVANTOS PTE LTD

AI summary

An auditory prosthesis (30) comprising a microphone (27) for receiving the sound and producing a microphone signal responding to the received sound, an output device for providing audio signals in a form receivable by a user of the prosthesis (30), a sound processing unit (33) operable to receive the microphone signal and carry out a processing operation on the microphone signal to produce an output signal in a form suitable to operate the output device, wherein the sound processing unit (33) is operable in a first mode in which the processing operation comprises at least one variable processing factor which is adjustable by a user to a setting which causes the output signal of the sound processing unit (33) to be adjusted according to the preference of the user for the characteristics of the current acoustic environment.