Binaural Hearing System Dynamic Coordination Level
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Solution Overview
Problem
Binaural hearing systems face challenges in accurately evaluating and synchronizing acoustic situations between two hearing devices, leading to divergent results and user discomfort due to rigid synchronization modes, which can be suboptimal in various acoustic environments.
Innovation Solution
A method for operating a binaural hearing system that adjusts the coordination level between hearing devices, allowing for a degree of synchronization ranging from 0% to 100%, enabling flexible operation based on contra-lateral and ipsi-lateral information, or external input, to optimize sound processing and user experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If rigid synchronization mode is used to force both hearing devices to operate in the same pre-selectable mode-pair, then device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but adaptability to different acoustic environments deteriorates and hearing optimization is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic coordination levels that allow hearing devices to transition between fully synchronized and independent operation modes. The coordination level can be adjusted continuously from 0% to 100%, enabling the system to adapt to varying acoustic situations while maintaining operational simplicity for the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the synchronization parameter from a fixed binary state (synchronized or not) to a continuous coordination level parameter ranging from 0% to 100%. This allows fine-grained control over the degree of synchronization, optimizing performance for different acoustic environments while keeping the user interface simple.
2Measurement precision
If separate evaluation of acoustic situation at both ears is performed to improve measurement precision, then adaptability to asymmetric acoustic situations is improved, but divergent results lead to user confusion and discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary coordination level mechanism that mediates between the independently evaluated acoustic situations at each ear. Instead of directly using divergent evaluation results, the system uses coordination levels to blend the independent processing outcomes, preventing user confusion while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial synchronization through coordination levels between 0% and 100%, allowing each hearing device to maintain its own acoustic evaluation while selectively coordinating specific processing parameters. This partial action approach preserves measurement precision for each ear while avoiding the confusion of completely divergent operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If coordination level adjustment is implemented to enable flexible synchronization from 0% to 100%, then adaptability to asymmetric acoustic situations is improved and user comfort is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal coordination level mechanism that can be applied across different hearing device models and configurations. The same coordination level framework handles various acoustic situations (asymmetric environments, noise levels, speech conditions) without requiring separate processing paths, managing complexity through multi-functionality.
4Ease of operation
If forced selection of pre-selectable mode-pair is used to simplify operation, then ease of operation is improved, but optimal hearing performance in varying acoustic environments deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces static mode-pair selection with dynamic coordination level adjustment. The system continuously adapts the degree of synchronization based on real-time acoustic conditions, ensuring reliable hearing performance across varying environments while maintaining simple operation through automatic adjustment.
Data Source
AI summary
A hearing system and a method for operating a binaural hearing system include at least two hearing devices to be at least partly inserted into or to be worn behind the left and right ear of a user. Each hearing device includes at least one microphone to generate an electrical signal corresponding to an acoustic signal. The method includes determining contra-lateral information based on an acoustic signal recorded by a microphone of the contra-lateral hearing device, and determining ipsi-lateral information based on an acoustic signal recorded by a microphone of the ipsi-lateral hearing device. The method includes providing a coordination level, the coordination level being indicative of a degree of synchronization of the two hearing devices, and adjusting processes in the ipsi-lateral hearing device in accordance with the coordination level. The coordination level can be determined from the contra-lateral information and/or from the ipsi-lateral information, or be obtained from an external device.