Dual Vibration Bone Conduction Hearing Aid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bone conduction hearing aids for patients with conductive hearing loss due to impaired middle ear function are limited in their ability to efficiently transmit vibrations to the inner ear, leading to suboptimal sound recognition.
Innovation Solution
A bone conduction hearing-aid system comprising an intracorporeal unit with an intracorporeal vibration generator that receives a magnetic field frequency and an extracorporeal unit that generates the magnetic field frequency and additional vibrations, both working together to effectively vibrate the skull and transmit sound to the inner ear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single intracorporeal vibration generator is used, then the device structure is simple, but the vibration transmission efficiency to the inner ear is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration transmission system is segmented into two independent vibration generators: an intracorporeal vibration generator embedded in the skull and an extracorporeal vibration generator positioned externally. This segmentation allows each generator to contribute to vibration transmission through different pathways, improving overall transmission efficiency while maintaining manageable device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The intracorporeal and extracorporeal vibration generators are merged into a coordinated system where both generators operate simultaneously to vibrate the skull. This combination leverages the advantages of both internal embedding (direct bone contact) and external positioning (additional vibration source), resolving the contradiction between simple structure and efficient transmission
2Volume of moving object
If only intracorporeal vibration is used, then the device is compact, but the sound recognition quality is suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The skull acts as an intermediary structure that receives vibrations from both the intracorporeal and extracorporeal generators. By utilizing the skull's natural bone conduction properties, the system enhances sound transmission to the inner ear without requiring a large device volume, thus maintaining compactness while improving sound recognition quality
3Adaptability or versatility
If vibration is transmitted only through bone conduction, then the hearing aid works for conductive hearing loss, but the overall hearing assistance is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The dual vibration generator system provides multi-functional hearing assistance: the intracorporeal generator addresses conductive hearing loss through bone conduction, while the extracorporeal generator provides additional vibration support. This universal approach enhances hearing assistance quality for conductive hearing loss patients while maintaining adaptability to their specific condition
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 system enables efficient transmission of vibrations to the inner ear, enhancing sound recognition for patients with conductive hearing loss by combining intracorporeal and extracorporeal vibrations, thereby improving the quality of bone conduction hearing.
Implementation Method 1
an intracorporeal unit that is embedded under a scalp and that includes an intracorporeal vibration generator configured to generate vibration by receiving a magnetic field frequency
Implementation Method 2
an extracorporeal unit that is disposed extracorporeally, that is configured to generate the magnetic field frequency and to apply the magnetic field frequency to the intracorporeal unit, and that is configured to generate vibration by an extracorporeal vibration generator
Data Source
AI summary
A bone conduction hearing-aid system includes an intracorporeal unit that is embedded under a scalp and that includes an intracorporeal vibration generator configured to generate vibration by receiving a magnetic field frequency, and an extracorporeal unit that is disposed extracorporeally, that is configured to generate the magnetic field frequency and to apply the magnetic field frequency to the intracorporeal unit, and that is configured to generate vibration by an extracorporeal vibration generator. The vibration generated by the intracorporeal unit and the vibration generated by the extracorporeal unit vibrate a skull.