Cognitive Training for Hearing Aid Fitting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current hearing aid fitting methods focus on objective sound quality and signal-to-noise ratio, failing to adequately address the subjective cognitive hearing abilities of users, particularly in noisy environments, leading to insufficient speech understanding for individuals with hearing loss, especially in the 30-50 decibel range.

Innovation Solution

A method and software program that allows users to interactively adjust hearing aid parameters through a display, focusing on matching sound signals with current cognitive interpretations, using unique testing protocols and cognitive training to improve sound recognition and separation, considering age, gender, and preferred ear usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional fitting methods focus on objective sound quality and signal-to-noise ratio adjustments, then audio signal transfer function is optimized, but speech intelligibility and sound recognition in noisy environments remains insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobjective sound quality measurementVSAvoidspeech intelligibility in noisy environments

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary cognitive training system that bridges the gap between objective sound quality and subjective speech understanding. The system uses a computer-based platform with visual display and audio output to train users' cognitive abilities to separate and identify speech from noise, thereby improving speech intelligibility without requiring changes to the hearing aid's audio signal processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical approach of adjusting hearing aid parameters to improve speech understanding with a cognitive training approach. Instead of modifying the audio signal mechanically through DSP adjustments, the system substitutes a software-based cognitive training program that retrain's the user's brain to better process and understand speech in noisy environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If hearing aid parameters are extensively adjusted to optimize audio signal transfer, then sound quality is improved, but device complexity and fitting time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaudio signal transfer optimizationVSAvoidfitting procedure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the complex parameter adjustment process from the fitting procedure and replaces it with a simplified cognitive training approach. The hearing aid fitting is reduced to basic setup, while the complex task of optimizing speech understanding in noise is transferred to the separate cognitive training software program, thereby simplifying the overall fitting process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the hearing rehabilitation process into two distinct components: (1) a simplified hearing aid fitting process that establishes basic audio signal transfer, and (2) a separate cognitive training program that addresses speech understanding in noise. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and reduces the complexity of the initial fitting procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If hearing aids amplify all frequencies to compensate for hearing loss, then audibility is improved, but cognitive strain increases in noisy environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaudibility of soundsVSAvoidcognitive strain from noise

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the cognitive training system monitors the user's performance in identifying and separating speech from noise. Based on this feedback, the training program dynamically adjusts the difficulty level and provides real-time guidance, allowing users to progressively improve their noise rejection abilities without experiencing excessive cognitive strain during the training process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by training users' cognitive abilities in advance before they face challenging listening situations. The cognitive training program pre-represents the neural pathways and cognitive strategies needed for speech understanding in noise, so that when users encounter noisy environments, they can effectively separate speech from noise with reduced cognitive strain.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11095995B2Hearing assist device fitting method, system, algorithm, software, performance testing and training

Publication Date: 2021.08.17 SIGNISON GMBH

AI summary

A method and software program is used by patients in situ for fitting and refitting of a DSP-based hearing assistance device. Hearing is tested by selection of one of twenty four playbacks of speech, for each ear. Cognitive training/testing exercises test and train the user to relearn to distinguish between various sounds and particularly speech using the hearing assistance device. The preferred cognitive training/testing includes noise detection exercises, spatial hearing exercises, volume recognition exercises and speech differentiation exercises. The regimens for using the hearing aid depend upon the measured cognitive loss, with different sets of DSP parameters for self-directed, non-assessed cognitive training.