Ear Simulator Couplers for Side-by-Side Hearing Output Comparison
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Hearing aids and conventional hearing devices face issues with occlusion and limited bandwidth of audible amplification, leading to unnatural sound and suboptimal listening experiences, particularly in in-canal devices, due to physical constraints and consistent signal processing across different technology levels.
Innovation Solution
A hearing device simulation apparatus that includes ear simulator couplers for acoustic and contact hearing devices, with a toggle switch to simulate and compare the audio output of these devices using professional-grade headphones, accurately reproducing the Real Ear Aided Response (REAR) and Real Ear Headphone Response (REHR) to provide a realistic side-by-side comparison.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If in-canal hearing aids are used to improve comfort and cosmetic experience, then comfort and cosmetic appearance are improved, but occlusion occurs causing unnatural tunnel-like hearing effect
Solution Approach 1:
The hearing aid device is divided into separate functional components: a visible portion worn in the ear canal for cosmetic purposes and an invisible portion that extends into the ear canal to deliver sound directly to the eardrum. This segmentation allows the device to maintain comfort and cosmetic benefits while eliminating occlusion through the invisible sound delivery portion.
Solution Approach 2:
A coupling element acts as an intermediary between the hearing aid processor and the eardrum, enabling direct sound transmission to the eardrum while maintaining the comfort and cosmetic benefits of in-canal placement. The coupling element facilitates contact hearing without requiring the user to speak into the device.
2Volume of moving object
If small speaker drivers are used in hearing aids, then device size is reduced improving comfort, but bandwidth of audible amplification is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical speaker driver system with a contact hearing system that uses electromagnetic coupling to directly drive the eardrum. This substitution eliminates the bandwidth limitations imposed by small acoustic speakers while maintaining compact device size, as the sound delivery mechanism no longer relies on mechanical vibration through air.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If open venting is used to reduce occlusion, then occlusion is reduced, but bandwidth of audible amplification is further limited due to low-frequency roll-off
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling element serves as an intermediary that transmits sound directly to the eardrum, eliminating the need for open venting to reduce occlusion. This direct coupling mechanism maintains low-frequency response without requiring acoustic vents, thereby preserving full bandwidth of audible amplification while eliminating occlusion.
4Device complexity
If same microphones and receivers are used across different hearing aid levels, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but bandwidth of audible amplification remains limited and inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of sound delivery from acoustic vibration through air to direct electromagnetic coupling with the eardrum. This parameter change enables consistent broadband amplification across all hearing aid levels while maintaining manufacturing simplicity, as the core contact hearing mechanism remains the same across different device tiers.
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
Enables patients and professionals to experience a realistic and accurate comparison of hearing device outputs, bypassing physical limitations of conventional devices by directly driving the middle ear system, thereby enhancing the perception of broadband audibility and allowing for informed technology selection.
Implementation Method 1
an acoustic microphone provided within the interior of the housing below the first aperture and configured to capture first audio input data associated with the first ear simulator coupler
Implementation Method 2
a second ear simulator coupler comprising a second aperture on the outer surface of the housing, wherein the second ear simulator coupler includes a receive coil configured to obtain a second audio input data corresponding to a transmitted signal from a contact hearing device inserted within the second ear simulator coupler
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus can include a first ear simulator coupler configured to receive a first hearing device within a first aperture, with an acoustic microphone provided below the first aperture to capture first audio input data associated with the first ear simulator coupler. A second ear simulator coupler can comprise a second aperture configured to receive a contact hearing device ear tip, the second ear simulator coupler including a receive coil configured to obtain a second audio input data corresponding to a transmitted signal from the contact hearing device ear tip when inserted within the second ear simulator coupler. The apparatus can include an audio output port can be connected by a switch to a selected one of a first audio processing path corresponding to a simulated hearing experience of the first hearing device, or a second audio processing path corresponding to a simulated hearing experience of the contact hearing device.