Bone Conduction Microphone Placement for Lower Feedback
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Individuals with conductive hearing loss often do not derive sufficient benefit from traditional acoustic hearing aids and require alternative methods to perceive sound, such as bone conduction devices, which can be improved by optimizing microphone placement and vibration transmission.
Innovation Solution
A behind-the-ear (BTE) device with a microphone positioned below the ear canal or at a lower portion of the pinna, utilizing a vibrator actuator to transmit vibrations through the skull for effective sound perception, and incorporating adhesive couplings for secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional acoustic hearing aid is used, then air conduction amplification is provided, but individuals with conductive hearing loss do not derive sufficient benefit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces bone as an intermediary medium to transmit sound vibrations directly to the cochlea, bypassing the impaired air conduction pathway through the ear canal and ossicles. The bone conduction device converts acoustic signals into mechanical vibrations that travel through the skull bone to stimulate the inner ear, providing an alternative transmission path for individuals with conductive hearing loss.
2Reliability
If the microphone is positioned in the traditional location, then sound capture is achieved, but feedback is increased and vibration transmission efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the microphone from the traditional ear canal location to an alternative location on the outer ear or behind the ear. This spatial relocation in a different dimension reduces the proximity between the microphone and the bone conduction transducer, thereby minimizing acoustic feedback while maintaining effective sound capture for vibration transmission.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If bone conduction devices are used, then alternative sound perception is provided, but microphone placement optimization is needed to reduce feedback
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning the microphone at a specific location on the outer ear structure rather than using a generic placement. This localized positioning exploits the anatomical features of the outer ear to achieve optimal feedback reduction while maintaining sound capture effectiveness, creating a tailored solution for the bone conduction device configuration.
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
Enhances sound perception by reducing feedback and improving vibration transmission efficiency, providing an effective alternative for conductive hearing loss without surgical implantation.
Implementation Method 1
certain types of hearing prostheses, commonly referred to as bone conduction devices, convert a received sound into mechanical vibrations. The vibrations are transferred through the skull to the cochlea causing generation of nerve impulses
Implementation Method 2
The adhesive coupling is configured to removably attach the BTE device to skin of a recipient
Data Source
AI summary
A device including a prosthesis configured with a sound capture system and configured to evoke a hearing percept based on a captured sound captured by the sound capture system, wherein at least a portion of the prosthesis is configured to attach to a head of a recipient such that sound is captured by the sound capture system externally of the recipient at a location below an ear canal of a human.