Auditory Screening Device with Ambient Noise Gain Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current auditory function screening devices are not portable or simple enough to quickly identify individuals who may require further testing for hearing loss, as they do not provide a comprehensive assessment and often fail to account for ambient noise.
Innovation Solution
A portable auditory function screening device with a controller, speaker, microphone, display, and communication engine that generates tones at specific frequencies, adjusts gain based on ambient noise, and increments a use counter, while also capable of active noise cancellation and wireless communication, to quickly assess hearing loss and track device usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If complex hearing assessment devices are used to provide comprehensive auditory function testing, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases and portability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the comprehensive auditory function testing into two segments: a simple portable screening device for initial assessment and a comprehensive assessment device for detailed testing. The screening device performs basic hearing loss detection while the comprehensive device provides detailed auditory function evaluation, allowing users to select the appropriate device based on needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a low-cost portable screening device that can be easily deployed and discarded or replaced, contrasting with expensive comprehensive assessment devices. The screening device uses simple components like speakers and microphones to provide basic hearing assessment functionality at a fraction of the cost of comprehensive devices.
2Ease of operation
If portable simple screening devices are used to quickly identify hearing loss, then ease of operation and portability are improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the hearing assessment process into screening and comprehensive assessment stages. The portable screening device provides easy-to-use basic hearing loss detection, while comprehensive assessment devices provide detailed auditory function evaluation. This segmentation allows users to start with simple screening and only use complex devices when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary screening device that acts as a mediator between the user and comprehensive assessment. The screening device performs initial basic hearing loss detection and refers users to comprehensive assessment devices when needed, preventing unnecessary use of complex devices while ensuring accurate assessment when required.
3Device complexity
If hearing screening does not account for ambient noise, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inaccurate hearing loss detection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the device detects ambient noise levels and adjusts the screening process accordingly. The device monitors environmental conditions and modifies tone presentation or testing parameters to compensate for ambient noise, ensuring accurate hearing loss detection without requiring complex noise-canceling hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes testing parameters dynamically based on ambient noise conditions. The device adjusts tone frequencies, volumes, and presentation patterns according to detected environmental noise levels, allowing accurate hearing assessment across varying acoustic environments without adding significant device complexity.
4Measurement precision
If comprehensive auditory function testing is performed, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to extended testing duration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the auditory function assessment into quick screening and comprehensive testing phases. The screening phase provides rapid basic hearing loss detection in minimal time, while comprehensive assessment provides detailed auditory function evaluation when needed. This segmentation allows users to obtain quick results without immediately committing to time-consuming comprehensive testing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent provides partial auditory function assessment through the portable screening device, offering sufficient basic hearing loss detection capability without requiring complete comprehensive assessment. The screening device performs essential testing functions that provide adequate information for initial decision-making, avoiding unnecessary time expenditure on full comprehensive testing when not required.
Data Source
AI summary
An auditory function screening device includes a controller, a speaker, a microphone, an actuator, a display, a communication engine, and a memory. The speaker generates tones of each frequency of a set of test frequencies. The microphone detects ambient noise. The actuator initiates an auditory function screening test. The display displays an indication corresponding to a total number of generated tones. The communication engine communicates with an external computing device. The memory stores executable instructions that implement the auditory function screening test, which includes: detecting an ambient noise amplitude, determining a gain adjustment, generating a predetermined number of tones of each frequency of the set of test frequencies at a predetermined gain level based on the gain adjustment, presenting an indication corresponding to the total number of generated tones, and causing a use counter to be incremented.