Eardrum Transducer Support for Hearing Aid Occlusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hearing devices, such as open canal hearing aids, face issues with feedback and occlusion due to the placement of microphones and transducers, which can limit sound amplification and provide unnatural sound experiences.
Innovation Solution
A hearing device with a transducer and support system that couples to the eardrum, positioned away from the umbo to minimize occlusion and mechanical impedance, using a conformable material and electromagnetic balanced armature to efficiently transmit audio signals with reduced feedback and occlusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the microphone is placed in close proximity with the speaker in open canal hearing aids, then feedback is increased, but sound amplification is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a feedback cancellation mechanism that acts as an intermediary between the microphone and speaker. The system captures feedback signals through the microphone, processes them through a feedback cancellation algorithm, and generates anti-phase signals that are injected back into the audio path, effectively neutralizing the harmful feedback while preserving sound amplification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback cancellation technology that monitors the audio path for feedback signals and actively counteracts them. By detecting feedback through the microphone and generating compensating anti-phase signals, the system transforms the harmful feedback loop into a controlled process that eliminates feedback while maintaining amplification performance.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the microphone is placed outside the ear canal to reduce feedback, then feedback is decreased, but spatial location information cues are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The feedback cancellation mechanism serves as an intermediary that allows the microphone to remain in optimal positions while electronically removing feedback. This enables the system to maintain spatial location information cues by preserving the natural acoustic path, while the feedback cancellation algorithm handles the harmful feedback component separately.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical constraint of microphone placement with an electronic feedback cancellation system. Instead of physically positioning the microphone outside the ear canal to avoid feedback, the system uses electronic signal processing to eliminate feedback, thereby preserving the mechanical acoustic path and spatial location information.
3Power
If a magnet and coil are placed on the eardrum to drive the transducer, then electromagnetic stimulation is achieved, but occlusion occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from mechanical/electromagnetic transduction at the eardrum to cochlear implantation, moving the stimulation point from the middle ear to the inner ear. This dimensional change in the stimulation location eliminates occlusion effects while maintaining effective electromagnetic or electrical stimulation of the hearing pathway through direct cochlear activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical electromagnetic transducer system (magnet and coil on eardrum) with an electrical stimulation system directly applied to the cochlea. This substitution eliminates the mechanical components that cause occlusion while achieving effective hearing stimulation through direct electrical or electromagnetic activation of the cochlear structures.
4Reliability
If the transducer mass is increased to improve sound transmission, then sound quality is improved, but device size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental operating parameters of the transducer by transitioning from electromagnetic to optical or direct electrical stimulation methods. This parameter change enables effective sound transmission with significantly reduced mass, as optical systems and direct electrical stimulation require minimal physical components compared to traditional electromagnetic transducers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the heavy electromagnetic transducer system with lighter optical or direct electrical stimulation systems. By substituting electromagnetic fields with optical fields or direct electrical currents applied to the cochlea, the system achieves equivalent or superior sound transmission quality with dramatically reduced transducer mass and device size.
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 improved comfort, longer battery life, smaller size, and enhanced sound quality with minimal occlusion and feedback, allowing for natural sound transmission with reduced distortion.
Implementation Method 1
The transducer can be coupled to the support with a conformable material so as to inhibit loading of the transducer and decrease occlusion when the support is coupled to the eardrum
Implementation Method 2
The transducer may comprise an electromagnetic balanced armature
Data Source
AI summary
A device to transmit an audio signal to a user comprises a transducer and a support. The support is configured for placement on the eardrum to drive the eardrum. The transducer is coupled to the support at a first location to decrease occlusion and a second location to drive the eardrum. The transducer may comprise one or more of an electromagnetic balanced armature transducer, a piezoelectric transducer, a magnetostrictive transducer, a photostrictive transducer, or a coil and magnet. The device may find use with open canal hearing aids.