Bimodal Hearing Fitting Device Mode Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The fitting of bimodal hearing systems is counterintuitive, difficult-to-use, and inefficient for audiologists due to the distinct workflows and graphical user interfaces for neural and acoustic stimulation devices, often resulting in suboptimal fitting for patients.
Innovation Solution
A fitting device that allows users to select between a hearing aid (HA) type fitting mode and a cochlear implant (CI) type fitting mode, enabling audiologists to choose the interface they are most familiar with, thereby facilitating an optimal fitting process for both neural and vibrational stimulation devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate fitting workflows and graphical user interfaces are used for neural stimulation devices and acoustic stimulation devices, then each device can be fitted with specialized controls, but the fitting process becomes counterintuitive and difficult-to-use for audiologists
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a unified fitting device that can operate in multiple modes (HA-type fitting mode and CI-type fitting mode) to fit both acoustic stimulation devices and neural stimulation devices. This universal interface allows audiologists to use a single device with different operational modes rather than requiring separate specialized devices, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining adaptability through mode selection
2Reliability
If different graphical user interfaces are used for fitting neural and acoustic stimulation devices, then each interface can be optimized for its specific device type, but the overall fitting system becomes complex and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The graphical user interface is implemented as a dynamic system that can switch between different operational modes (HA-type and CI-type modes) based on the device being fitted. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the interface to adapt its characteristics to match the specific requirements of either acoustic or neural stimulation device fitting, maintaining device-specific optimization while presenting a unified underlying system that reduces overall complexity
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional separate fitting approaches are used for CI and hearing aid devices, then each device receives dedicated fitting procedures, but audiologists cannot leverage their existing expertise from one device type when fitting the other
Solution Approach 1:
The fitting device provides a universal platform with selectable operational modes that allow audiologists to apply their expertise from fitting one device type to another. By selecting the appropriate mode (HA-type or CI-type), audiologists can use their familiar fitting approaches regardless of which device they are currently fitting, thereby enabling cross-device expertise application while maintaining dedicated fitting procedures through mode-specific configurations
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a fitting device configured to be communicatively connected to first stimulation device comprising an implantable electric stimulation device including a plurality of stimulation channels for electrical stimulation of a patient's ipsilateral ear at various stimulation sites according to a electrical stimulation signal and a second stimulation device selected from the group consisting of a device for acoustic stimulation of the patient's ipsilateral ear and a device for acoustic stimulation of the patient's contralateral ear according to an acoustic stimulation signal for adjusting the first stimulation device and the second stimulation device.