Cochlear External Device With Earhook Microphone for Sound Collection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional integral type cochlear external devices are prone to being lost and have limited sound-receiving power, especially when worn on one ear, making it difficult to collect sound from the opposite side effectively.
Innovation Solution
A cochlear external device with an external microphone that includes an external device body attached to the head, an internal microphone, an external microphone attached around the ear, a connection cable, a control unit, and additional features like a power supply unit and sensors to enhance sound collection and device attachment detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If an integral type cochlear external device is used, then the device structure is simple, but the device is lost frequently and requires a separate fixing device
Solution Approach 1:
The cochlear external device is divided into two separate components: an external device body that processes sound signals and an earhook that attaches to the ear. This segmentation allows the earhook to provide secure attachment while the external device body remains simple and manageable, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and retention reliability.
2Device complexity
If only one internal microphone is used, then the device structure is simple, but the sound-receiving power is limited especially when worn on one ear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple microphones (internal microphone in the external device body and external microphone in the earhook) into a unified sound collection system. This merging of multiple sound collection points enhances the overall sound-receiving power and provides better spatial audio capture, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and sound-receiving capability.
3Reliability
If an external microphone is added to the system, then the sound-receiving power is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The external microphone integrated into the earhook serves multiple functions: it collects sound from the external environment and also provides additional attachment points for securing the device to the ear. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby managing device complexity while enhancing sound-receiving power.
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
The device prevents loss and improves sound-receiving power by using both internal and external microphones, with adjustable attachment and power management, allowing for better sound collection and efficient operation.
Implementation Method 1
an internal microphone embedded in the external device body to collect sound; an external microphone located at the outside of the external device body to collect sound
Implementation Method 2
a telecoil embedded in the microphone body to collect sound instead of the microphone element
Implementation Method 3
a magnet inserted into the magnet insert hole and configured to have an adjustable height
Data Source
AI summary
A cochlear external device with an external microphone according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include an external device body attached to a side of the head of a user, an internal microphone embedded in the external device body to collect sound, an external microphone located at the outside of the external device body to be attached around the ear of the user to collect sound, a connection cable configured to connect the external microphone and the external device body in a wired manner; and a control unit embedded in the external device body to generate an output signal based on the sound collected by at least one of the internal microphone and the external microphone and transmit the generated output signal to a cochlear implant transplanter.