Dual Microphone Hearing Aid Feedback Cancellation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication systems for hearing-impaired individuals, particularly those using open canal hearing aids, face challenges with feedback, noise cancellation, and integration with audio entertainment and telecommunications, often requiring multiple devices and being cumbersome or ineffective in noisy environments.
Innovation Solution
A communication device with dual microphones, one placed inside the ear canal to detect high-frequency sound localization cues and another externally to minimize feedback, coupled with wireless circuitry for seamless connectivity and noise cancellation, allowing for improved hearing aid functionality and audio entertainment integration without the need for surgical implantation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a microphone is placed inside the ear canal to detect high-frequency sound localization cues, then sound localization capability is improved, but feedback is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a feedback cancellation system that acts as an intermediary between the canal microphone and the speaker. This system detects feedback signals through the canal microphone and generates anti-phase signals to cancel the feedback, allowing the microphone to remain in the ear canal for accurate sound localization without suffering from feedback interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback cancellation mechanism that uses the feedback path itself to eliminate feedback. By monitoring the feedback signal through the canal microphone and generating an equal but opposite signal, the system converts the harmful feedback into a useful cancellation mechanism, enabling the microphone to stay positioned for optimal sound localization.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple devices are used for hearing aids and audio entertainment, then functionality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into a single hearing aid device, including hearing amplification, audio entertainment playback, noise cancellation, and feedback suppression. The device can function as both a hearing aid and an audio player, eliminating the need for separate devices and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining versatile functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines hearing aid functionality with audio entertainment capabilities in a single integrated device. The speaker, microphone, and processing circuits serve dual purposes for both hearing assistance and audio playback, merging previously separate functions into one unified system that reduces the number of devices users need to manage.
3Ease of operation
If open canal configuration is used for comfort, then user comfort is improved, but feedback is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an active feedback cancellation system that continuously monitors and counteracts feedback signals. This allows the ear canal to remain open for user comfort while the feedback cancellation mechanism actively suppresses the harmful feedback that would otherwise occur in the open canal configuration, resolving the contradiction between comfort and feedback reduction.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If noise cancellation is implemented, then noise suppression is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines noise cancellation functionality with the existing hearing aid and audio playback systems by utilizing the same microphones, speakers, and processing circuits for multiple purposes. The noise cancellation feature is integrated into the existing architecture rather than added as a separate system, minimizing the increase in device complexity while achieving effective noise suppression.
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 reduced feedback, enhanced noise cancellation, and improved sound localization, enabling hearing-impaired individuals to communicate effectively in noisy environments using a single, user-friendly device that integrates with both hearing aids and audio systems.
Implementation Method 1
A first input transducer is configured for placement at least one of inside an ear canal or near an opening of the ear canal
Implementation Method 2
A second input transducer is configured to detect tissue vibration when the user speaks
Implementation Method 3
At least one output transducer is configured for placement inside the ear canal of the user. The at least one output transducer is coupled to the first microphone and the second microphone to transmit sound from the first microphone and the second microphone to the user
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, devices, and methods for communication include an ear canal microphone configured for placement in the ear canal to detect high frequency sound localization cues. An external microphone positioned away from the ear canal can detect low frequency sound, such that feedback can be substantially reduced. The canal microphone and the external microphone are coupled to a transducer, such that the user perceives sound from the external microphone and the canal microphone with high frequency localization cues and decreased feedback. Wireless circuitry can be configured to connect to many devices with a wireless protocol, such that the user can receive and transmit audio signals. A bone conduction sensor can detect near-end speech of the user for transmission with the wireless circuitry in a noisy environment. Noise cancellation of background sounds near the user can be provided.