Bone Anchored Hearing Aid Notch Filter Resonance Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bone anchored hearing aids have a resonance frequency that is optimized for a standard skull simulator, but this frequency varies significantly between individuals due to differences in skull bone structure and mechanical impedance, resulting in suboptimal frequency response when used on patients.
Innovation Solution
A bone anchored hearing aid with an electronic notch filter that adjusts its center frequency to match the individual user's resonance frequency, determined by measuring the resonance frequency of the vibrator when attached to the skull and using this information to set the notch filter frequency, ensuring optimal frequency matching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the notch filter frequency is set to match the resonance frequency measured on the skull simulator, then the resonance is dampened and the frequency response becomes more flat on the simulator, but the frequency response becomes suboptimal when used on patients due to differences in skull bone structure and mechanical impedance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic adjustment mechanism that allows the notch filter frequency to be tuned based on individual patient characteristics. The system transitions from a static, fixed frequency setting (optimized for skull simulator) to a dynamic, adjustable setting that adapts to each patient's unique skull bone structure and mechanical impedance, thereby resolving the contradiction between manufacturing precision and adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the key parameter of the notch filter frequency from a fixed value (determined during manufacturing based on skull simulator measurements) to a variable parameter that can be adjusted for each patient. This parameter change enables the system to maintain optimal frequency response across different patients with varying skull properties, addressing both the need for manufacturing precision and individual adaptability
2Ease of manufacture
If a fixed notch filter frequency is used based on skull simulator measurements, then the device is easy to manufacture and configure, but the resonance frequency matching is inaccurate for individual patients
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary measurements of the patient's actual resonance frequency during the fitting process, before finalizing the device configuration. This preliminary action allows the system to capture individual patient characteristics and use this information to accurately set the notch filter frequency, thereby improving measurement precision without significantly complicating the manufacturing process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the actual resonance frequency measured on the patient's skull is used to adjust and optimize the notch filter frequency. This feedback loop ensures that the device configuration is tailored to each patient's specific anatomy, improving resonance frequency matching accuracy while maintaining relative ease of manufacture through a systematic adjustment process
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 provides a more personalized and optimal frequency response for each user, improving the hearing aid's performance by compensating for individual variations in skull bone structure and mechanical impedance.
Implementation Method 1
Existing bone anchored hearing aids include a transducer or vibrator that has a resonance frequency F
Implementation Method 2
the existing bone anchored hearing aids uses an electronic notch filter with a notch frequency F1 that corresponds to the resonance frequency F of the hearing aid transducer
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a bone anchored hearing aid with a sound processor which generates a vibration signal and serves the signal at a vibrator for transmission of the vibration signal into the skull bone of a wearer and where a resonance damping system is provided in the hearing aid and comprising an electronic notch filter having a notch filter center frequency F1, wherein the notch filter frequency F1 is below a resonance frequency Fsim of the hearing aid as measured in a standard skull simulator.