Dual Bone Conduction Hearing Aid for Noisy Environments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hearing aids that rely on air conduction have limitations such as poor sound quality in noisy environments, invasive pressure on the eardrum, and ineffectiveness for individuals without an ear canal, while cochlear implants require invasive surgery and are limited in noisy conditions and certain pathologies.
Innovation Solution
A hearing aid system using two bone conduction devices positioned on different areas around the ear to transmit vibrations directly to the auditory nerve, capturing sound with microphones and converting it into vibrations via transducers, optimizing sound stimulation without relying on defective ear structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If air conduction hearing aids are used to reproduce sound in the ear canal, then the hearing aid can capture and process surrounding sounds, but the sound quality deteriorates in noisy environments and invasive pressure is generated on the eardrum
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the sound transmission function into two separate bone conduction devices positioned at different locations around the ear (first device at mastoid process, second device at temporal bone). Each device transmits vibrations through different bone pathways to the auditory nerve, segmenting the load and eliminating invasive pressure on the eardrum while improving sound quality through redundant transmission paths
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces bone conduction as an intermediary transmission medium between the external sound source and the auditory nerve. Instead of directly transmitting sound through air to the eardrum, the system uses bone vibrations as a mediator to convey sound signals, bypassing the defective eardrum and providing a non-invasive transmission path
2Reliability
If a single bone conduction device is used to transmit vibrations to the auditory nerve, then the device can stimulate the auditory nerve directly, but the sound reproduction quality is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the sound transmission task across two separate bone conduction devices positioned at different anatomical locations (mastoid process and temporal bone). Each device contributes to the overall sound reproduction by transmitting vibrations through different bone pathways, with the auditory nerve integrating these segmented signals to achieve comprehensive sound coverage across the hearing spectrum
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the output signals from two separate bone conduction devices positioned at different locations around the ear. The auditory nerve integrates the vibrations from both the mastoid process and temporal bone pathways, combining these multiple transmission channels to achieve enhanced sound reproduction quality that surpasses single-device solutions
3Reliability
If cochlear implants are used for severe hearing impairments, then the auditory nerve can be directly stimulated with electrical impulses, but invasive surgery is required and effectiveness is limited in noisy environments
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the electrical stimulation mechanism of cochlear implants with a mechanical vibration-based bone conduction system. Instead of using electrical impulses that require surgical implantation, the system uses mechanical vibrations transmitted through bone pathways to stimulate the auditory nerve, achieving similar effectiveness for severe hearing impairments without surgical intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces bone conduction as a non-invasive intermediary between external sound sources and the auditory nerve. This intermediary transmission path through bone structures eliminates the need for surgical implantation while maintaining effective stimulation of the auditory nerve, making the solution accessible to patients who cannot undergo cochlear implant surgery
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
Provides improved sound reproduction across the entire hearing spectrum, even in noisy environments, without invasive procedures, suitable for various pathologies and ear morphologies, and offering personalized sound stimulation.
Implementation Method 1
the first and second vibrations thus reach directly the same auditory nerve (that of the ear around which the hearing aid is positioned) via the crossed bone material
Implementation Method 2
said electrical signal then being transformed, by means of a transducer, into acoustic vibrations (or vibrations)
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a hearing aid intended to be placed around an ear of a user, characterised in that it comprises at least one first bone conduction device and at least one second bone conduction device, the first device being configured to be positioned in contact with a first bone area of the user's head and to transmit first vibrations to said first bone area, and the second device being configured to be positioned in contact with a second area of the user's head and to transmit second vibrations to said second bone area, said second area being different from the first area, and said first bone area and said second bone area being located around the same ear of the user, said hearing aid further comprising at least one microphone for picking up an ambient sound signal which is then transformed to generate the first and second vibrations.