Ear Geometry Estimation via Acoustic Signal Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional methods for obtaining ear geometry for hearing devices often result in distorted impressions due to uncured material and temperature variations during shipping, leading to inaccurate fittings and poor acoustic performance.
Innovation Solution
A hearing device with an ear canal microphone and external microphone that estimates ear geometry by processing input signals to predict and correct for individual ear canal variations, eliminating the need for physical impressions and improving signal processing for features like active noise cancellation and beamforming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional impression methods are used to obtain ear geometry, then the process is simple and direct, but the impression becomes distorted during mailing due to uncured material and temperature variations, leading to inaccurate measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical impression-taking system with an acoustic measurement system. Instead of using physical impressions that are mailed and distorted, the system uses microphones to capture acoustic responses within the ear canal and processes these signals to estimate ear geometry. This substitution eliminates the transport and curing issues associated with traditional impressions while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces acoustic signals as an intermediary medium to obtain ear geometry information. Rather than directly measuring physical impressions, the system uses sound waves that propagate through the ear canal and interact with the ear geometry, capturing indirect acoustic responses that are then processed to estimate geometric parameters. This intermediary approach avoids the distortion problems of physical impressions.
2Ease of manufacture
If physical impressions are mailed to manufacturers for processing, then the workflow is straightforward, but errors propagate during the fitting process due to impression distortion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the hearing device to perform self-measurement and self-fitting. The device includes microphones and processors that automatically capture acoustic responses, estimate ear geometry, and adjust fitting parameters without requiring external processing of physical impressions. This self-service capability eliminates error propagation during manual handling and mailing while maintaining fitting precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary acoustic measurements and geometry estimation directly at the point of use, before the fitting process begins. By capturing acoustic responses and estimating ear geometry in advance, the system prepares accurate geometric data that eliminates errors that would otherwise propagate during subsequent fitting operations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If standard processing is used without ear geometry estimation, then the device is simpler to manufacture, but signal processing for features like active noise cancellation and beamforming is not optimized for individual ears
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameters used in signal processing based on estimated ear geometry. By obtaining individual-specific geometric parameters through acoustic measurement and processing, the system adapts signal processing algorithms to match the user's unique ear characteristics, improving performance of features like active noise cancellation and beamforming.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the signal processing parameters dynamic and adaptive rather than static. The system continuously estimates ear geometry from acoustic responses and adjusts processing parameters accordingly, allowing the device to adapt to individual ear variations and changing conditions, thereby improving versatility without excessive complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for estimating an ear geometry of an ear of a user with a hearing device, the hearing device comprising an ear canal microphone, an external microphone, and a receiver, includes: obtaining an external input signal using the external microphone; providing an output signal by the receiver; obtaining an ear canal microphone input signal using the ear canal microphone; and estimating the ear geometry based on the external input signal and the ear canal microphone input signal.