Custom Fitted Hearing Equalizer for Consistent Audio Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current headsets provide poor retention and inconsistent sound level and frequency response due to non-custom ear canal adaptors, leading to discomfort and compromised signal processing, especially for hearing impaired users, as they often over-amplify low frequencies and fail to adjust for varying fits.
Innovation Solution
A custom fitted, modular, rechargeable audio processing device with a self-administered, on-site mold creation and interactive parameter adjustment, using a wireless remote for optimization, and incorporating smart hearing aid detection and repair, allowing for consistent equalization and amplification based on user-specific needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If non-custom ear canal adaptors are used, then device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but retention and sound consistency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary hearing assessment and ear canal measurement before final device configuration. The hearing assessment is conducted in advance to determine individual hearing thresholds across different frequencies, and ear canal dimensions are measured beforehand to select or customize the appropriate adaptor, ensuring both ease of manufacture and reliable retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes multiple parameters including adaptor size, canal length, and curvature to match individual user anatomy. By adjusting these physical parameters of the adaptor based on measured ear canal characteristics, the system achieves custom-fitted retention while maintaining manufacturing efficiency through standardized modification processes.
2Device complexity
If non-custom ear canal adaptors are used, then device complexity is reduced, but sound level and frequency response consistency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system modifies multiple acoustic parameters including gain, frequency response, and equalization curves based on individual hearing thresholds and ear canal measurements. This allows customization of sound output characteristics while maintaining a relatively simple device architecture, achieving high sound consistency without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from hearing assessment results and real-time sound level measurements to automatically adjust equalization and amplification parameters. This closed-loop control ensures consistent frequency response and sound levels across different users and listening conditions while keeping the device design manageable.
3Reliability
If tight fit is used, then earplug effect is achieved, but comfort and environmental awareness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system adjusts the degree of occlusion parameter of the adaptor to optimize the balance between seal quality and comfort. By controlling how completely the adaptor seals the ear canal, the system achieves sufficient attenuation for pass-thru mode while maintaining user comfort and environmental awareness through controlled acoustic coupling.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If loose fit is used, then comfort is improved, but signal processing and noise reduction are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from microphones positioned to detect both external sounds and occlusion effects to dynamically adjust signal processing parameters. This allows the system to maintain effective noise reduction and directionality processing even with looser fits by compensating for the reduced occlusion effect through active signal processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system modifies signal processing parameters including noise reduction strength, directionality beamforming weights, and feedback cancellation algorithms based on the measured fit quality. This adaptive parameter adjustment ensures consistent signal processing performance across varying fit conditions while maintaining user comfort.
5Reliability
If over-amplification of low frequencies is used, then compensation for loose fit is achieved, but masking of upper frequencies worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses individual hearing threshold measurements to customize the amplification profile across all frequency ranges. Instead of uniform over-amplification of low frequencies, the system applies frequency-specific gain adjustments based on the user's actual hearing needs, compensating for fit variations without masking upper frequencies where hearing impairment is most common.
Data Source
AI summary
A modular, cost effective customizable sound processing unit can provide enhanced audio from a displaced source to a user. The source can be wirelessly coupled to the unit via a short range transceiver. The processing unit can include circuitry and software to process incoming audio and to compensate for the loss of hearing due to the device been coupled to the user ear canal, making it acoustically transparent for sound sources picked by the on the unit microphone(s) and provide an enhanced audio experience for the user.