Contact Hearing Device Eardrum Vibration Occlusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wearable communication devices are suboptimal due to their size, sound quality, and occlusion issues, which affect both hearing-impaired and normal-hearing users, and often compromise user privacy by transmitting sound that can be perceived by others.
Innovation Solution
A wearable communication apparatus with a contact transducer assembly that vibrates the eardrum, providing an open ear canal for ambient sound while delivering high-fidelity audio signals without external noise leakage, using wireless communication circuitry and various energy sources like RF, ultrasound, or light to drive the transducer, allowing for improved sound quality and cosmetic appeal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional hearing aids are used to provide hearing assistance, then hearing deficiency is addressed, but the device creates a stigma and is perceived as handicapped due to its appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional acoustic hearing aid mechanisms with a contactless transducer system that uses electromagnetic or optical fields to vibrate the eardrum directly, eliminating the need for visible traditional hearing aid hardware and reducing the associated stigma
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the fundamental operating parameters from acoustic wave transmission through ear canals to direct mechanical vibration of the eardrum through contactless energy transfer, enabling a more cosmetically acceptable device form factor
2Reliability
If earbuds are used to provide high sound quality, then audio fidelity is improved, but the ear canal is occluded causing tunnel-like hearing sensation and preventing ambient sound perception
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the occluding earbud mechanical system with a contactless transducer that vibrates the eardrum without blocking the ear canal, allowing simultaneous high-fidelity audio delivery and ambient sound perception
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces the eardrum itself as an intermediary surface for contactless energy transfer, eliminating the need for occluding ear canal devices while maintaining effective sound delivery through direct eardrum vibration
3Ease of operation
If open ear canal hearing devices are used to allow ambient sound perception, then ambient sound is accessible, but sound can be perceived by others nearby diminishing user privacy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces acoustic wave propagation through the ear canal with direct contactless vibration of the eardrum, confining the sound energy to the user's own ear and preventing eavesdropping by others
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies localized energy transfer directly to the individual eardrum surface, creating a highly focused sound delivery mechanism that does not radiate sound externally and thus maintains privacy while allowing ambient sound perception
4Shape
If wearable communication devices are made smaller for cosmetic appeal, then appearance is improved, but sound quality and audio fidelity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional acoustic transduction mechanisms with contactless electromagnetic or optical transducers that can be miniaturized while maintaining effective eardrum vibration, enabling small device form factor without sacrificing sound quality
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the energy transfer mechanism to contactless fields that can be efficiently coupled to the eardrum from a minimal device footprint, allowing cosmetic appeal through size reduction while preserving audio fidelity
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 solution provides improved sound quality with reduced occlusion and enhanced privacy, allowing users to hear both ambient and audio signals clearly, while maintaining a modern appearance and addressing stigma concerns for hearing-impaired individuals.
Implementation Method 1
driven by an output transducer coupled to the circuitry. In some embodiments the contact transducer assembly may reside on a lateral surface of the eardrum, and in some embodiments it may be positioned in a middle ear of the user. The output transducer coupled to the circuitry may comprise a coil, a light source, RF source or ultrasound source.
Implementation Method 2
The output transducer coupled to the circuitry may comprise a coil, a light source, RF source or ultrasound source.
Implementation Method 3
The contact hearing device can be used to amplify ambient sound to provide a hearing assistance to users with diminished hearing.
Data Source
AI summary
Contact hearing devices for use with a wearable communication apparatus are disclosed to provide the user with an open ear canal to hear ambient sound and sound from an audio signal. The disclosed devices and systems have an advantage of providing sound to user from the audio signal, in many embodiments without creating sound that can be perceived by others. The contact hearing device can also be used to amplify ambient sound to provide a hearing assistance to users with diminished hearing. The wearable information apparatus can be configured to couple wirelessly to the contact transducer assembly, such that the wearable information apparatus can be removed while the contact transducer assembly remains placed on the user.