Binaural Hearing Sensor Comparison for Reliable AFib Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for precise and reliable detection of atrial fibrillation (AFib) due to the lack of symptoms in a significant portion of affected individuals, which requires long-term monitoring of heart rate and variations.
Innovation Solution
A hearing system comprising first and second hearing devices, each equipped with sensors and processors, that collect physiological data from both ears, compare the data to identify heart condition parameters, and output alerts via audio and visual signals to the user and accessory devices for detailed information and communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If heart rate monitoring is performed using traditional separate devices, then detection capability is limited, but device complexity and user compliance increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hearing device is designed to perform multiple functions: traditional hearing assistance and heart rate monitoring. The sensor module detects both acoustic signals for hearing enhancement and physiological signals for cardiac monitoring, allowing one device to serve multiple purposes and reducing the need for separate monitoring devices
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the heart rate monitoring functionality with the hearing device by integrating sensor modules that can detect both types of signals. The processing unit analyzes sensor data to identify cardiac conditions while the hearing device continues its primary function, merging two monitoring systems into one unified device
2Reliability
If long-term continuous monitoring is implemented, then detection reliability improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs heart rate monitoring at periodic intervals rather than continuous monitoring. The processor analyzes sensor data during defined time periods to detect atrial fibrillation conditions, reducing energy consumption while maintaining detection reliability through regular sampling
Solution Approach 2:
The hearing device utilizes its existing sensors and processing capabilities for heart rate monitoring without requiring additional dedicated components. The device serves itself by leveraging its inherent sensing and computational resources to perform cardiac monitoring functions
3Measurement precision
If binaural sensor data comparison is performed, then measurement precision improves, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system compares sensor data from both hearing devices to detect heart conditions. By analyzing the relationship between signals from the left and right ears, the processor can identify cardiac anomalies with higher precision, using feedback from bilateral measurements to improve detection accuracy
Data Source
AI summary
A method of operating a hearing system comprising a first hearing device and a second hearing device, includes: obtaining sensor data, the sensor data comprising first sensor data representing first physiological data and second sensor data representing second physiological data, where the first sensor data comprises or is indicative of first sensor signal from the first hearing device configured to be arranged at a first ear of a user, and the second sensor data comprises or is indicative of second sensor signal from the second hearing device configured to be arranged at a second ear of the user; comparing the first sensor data and the second sensor data; determining a first parameter based on a result from the act of comparing the first sensor data and the second sensor data; and outputting a first output signal indicative of the first parameter.