Auditory Prosthesis Audio Training With Real-Time Sound Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Individuals with sensorineural hearing loss, particularly those who are profoundly deaf, face challenges in understanding sounds through conventional auditory prostheses that rely on mechanical motion of the cochlea fluid, as these devices struggle to effectively stimulate nerve cells in the auditory system.
Innovation Solution
The method involves recording sound signals received by an auditory prosthesis system, detecting sound identification trigger conditions, determining the identity of sounds present in the signals, and providing this information to the recipient either audibly or visually, facilitating real-time audio training and rehabilitation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional auditory prostheses generate mechanical motion of the cochlea fluid, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the effectiveness of stimulating nerve cells in sensorineural hearing loss is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of external microphones, sound processing units, and identification algorithms that analyze sounds in the environment and provide identity information to the recipient. This mediator bridges the gap between the simple mechanical prosthesis and the need for effective nerve cell stimulation by adding intelligent sound recognition and feedback capabilities without modifying the implant itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by providing the recipient with identity information about detected sounds through visual displays or audible outputs. This feedback loop allows the recipient to learn and associate specific sound patterns with their identities, thereby improving the effectiveness of sound perception and rehabilitation outcomes despite the simplicity of the mechanical prosthesis.
2Reliability
If auditory prostheses rely on mechanical motion of the cochlea fluid, then the device is easier to operate, but the ability to stimulate nerve cells effectively is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting sounds, identifying their sources, and providing identity information without requiring manual intervention from the recipient. The external processing unit continuously monitors the acoustic environment and delivers relevant information, making the complex sound analysis transparent and easy to use while significantly improving nerve cell stimulation effectiveness.
3Loss of information
If the prosthesis provides only basic sound transmission, then the device complexity is low, but the recipient's ability to understand and identify sounds is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts sound identity information from the complex acoustic signal by using external microphones and processing units to analyze and identify sound sources. This extracted information is then provided to the recipient separately from the basic sound transmission, thereby reducing information loss without requiring the implant itself to perform complex signal processing.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables recipients to better understand and identify sounds in their environment, improving their auditory perception and rehabilitation outcomes, even in the absence of functional hair cells in the cochlea.
Implementation Method 1
one or more microphones configured to receive sounds
Implementation Method 2
generating, based on one or more of the sounds, stimulation signals for delivery to the recipient to evoke perception of the one or more sounds
Data Source
AI summary
Presented herein are audio training techniques that facilitate the rehabilitation of a recipient of an auditory prosthesis. In certain embodiments, the audio training techniques presented herein may include real time training aspects in which the recipient's surrounding (ambient) auditory environment, including the sounds present therein, is analyzed in real time. The recipient can then be provided with a real time identity (e.g., audible or visible representation/description) of the sounds present in the auditory environment. The identity of the sounds can be provided to the recipient automatically and/or in response to recipient queries.