Earpiece Voice Training Device Using Accelerometer Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Individuals with conditions like Parkinson's Disease often experience voice impairments such as hypophonia, monoloudness, and abnormal speech rates, which existing technologies have not effectively addressed in terms of increasing vocal loudness and improving articulation and respiratory support during speech.

Innovation Solution

A voice enhancement device featuring an earpiece with an accelerometer that detects speech and provides multitalker babble through a microcontroller, eliciting the Lombard effect to increase sound pressure levels and normalize speech rate, thereby enhancing vocal loudness and articulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If existing voice enhancement technologies are used, then voice loudness may be increased, but articulation and respiratory support during speech are not effectively improved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoice loudnessVSAvoidarticulation and respiratory support

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The device segments the voice training function into multiple independent components: accelerometer for speech detection, multitalker babble audio output, and Lombard effect triggering. Each component addresses a specific aspect of voice impairment (detection, auditory feedback, loudness enhancement), allowing comprehensive treatment of articulation, respiratory support, and voice loudness separately and simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device implements a closed-loop feedback system where the accelerometer detects user speech, the microcontroller processes the detection signal, and the earpiece delivers multitalker babble audio feedback. This real-time feedback loop enables the Lombard effect to occur naturally, improving voice loudness while the user maintains natural speech patterns and articulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Volume of moving object

If an accelerometer is integrated into the earpiece, then the device becomes more compact and discreet, but the complexity of detecting speech vibrations increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidspeech vibration detection

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The device replaces traditional acoustic detection methods with an accelerometer-based mechanical vibration detection system. The accelerometer senses vibrations from vocal fold vibrations transmitted through the skull bones to the ear canal, converting mechanical speech energy into detectable acceleration signals that the microcontroller can process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The earpiece acts as an intermediary medium that transmits both the multitalker babble audio output and the speech vibrations detected by the integrated accelerometer. This dual function allows the device to provide auditory feedback while simultaneously monitoring speech patterns without requiring separate detection hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 device effectively increases sound pressure levels, normalizes speech rate, and improves respiratory support, leading to clearer and louder speech, with therapeutic effects extending beyond device use, as patients continue to speak louder and more clearly after training.

Implementation Method 1

The accelerometer is located within the earpiece and operatively coupled to the microcontroller. The accelerometer is configured to detect speech by the user and communicate with the microcontroller to provide the multitalker babble to the earpiece during the detected speech by the user.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBone conduction:

Implementation Method 2

The voice enhancement device and method increase the individuals' SPL and changes their speech rate by eliciting the Lombard effect. The Lombard effect is an external cue for increasing voice loudness.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLombard effect:

Data Source

PatentUS9532897B2Devices that train voice patterns and methods thereof

Publication Date: 2017.01.03 PURDUE RES FOUND

AI summary

A voice enhancement device including an earpiece configured to be positioned in an ear canal of a user. A microcontroller is operatively coupled to the earpiece. The microcontroller is configured to selectively provide at least multitalker babble. An accelerometer is located within the earpiece and operatively coupled to the microcontroller. The accelerometer is configured to detect speech by the user and communicate with the microcontroller to provide the multitalker babble to the earpiece during the detected speech by the user. A method of making the voice enhancement device, and a method for increasing vocal loudness in a patient using the voice enhancement device are also disclosed.