Electroactive Hearing Instrument Sealing Element for Occlusion Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional hearing instruments cause occlusion effects due to partial occlusion of the ear canal, leading to unnatural voice amplification and discomfort, especially in complex or changing listening situations, with existing ventilation tubes offering limited solutions.
Innovation Solution
An occlusion control system using an electroactive material sealing element that dynamically adjusts acoustic properties across the hearing frequency band through an electric control signal, allowing for active control of sound waves by altering compliance and impedance, minimizing occlusion effects while maintaining ear canal sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a ventilation tube is introduced to reduce occlusion effects, then occlusion effect is reduced, but the solution is limited and not adaptable to complex listening situations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the sealing element's acoustic properties adjustable rather than fixed. The electroactive material allows dynamic control of acoustic impedance through applied electric fields, enabling the system to adapt to different listening situations (e.g., speech, music, noisy environments) while managing occlusion effects, thereby resolving the contradiction between reducing occlusion and maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by altering the acoustic impedance of the sealing element through electric field application. By changing the physical state or properties of the electroactive material in response to electrical signals, the system can adjust acoustic properties across the hearing frequency band, providing adaptability to various listening scenarios while controlling occlusion effects.
2Reliability
If the sealing element physically seals off the ear canal, then ear canal sealing is achieved, but occlusion effect increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by dynamically changing the acoustic impedance parameter of the sealing element. The electroactive material allows the system to maintain physical sealing (reliability) while adjusting acoustic properties to minimize occlusion effects. The electric field control enables the material to transition between states that provide sealing and states that reduce occlusion, achieving both reliability and harm reduction simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the signal processor monitors listening situations and adjusts the electric field applied to the electroactive material accordingly. This feedback control allows the sealing element to adapt its acoustic properties in real-time, maintaining effective sealing while minimizing occlusion effects based on actual environmental conditions and user needs.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If acoustic impedance is adjusted dynamically, then occlusion effects are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanics substitution by replacing traditional mechanical vent adjustment mechanisms with an electroactive material-based system. Instead of mechanical moving parts or adjustable vents, the system uses electric field control to alter the acoustic properties of the sealing element. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity while enabling dynamic acoustic impedance adjustment, thereby reducing occlusion effects with a more elegant control approach.
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 effectively reduces occlusion effects by dynamically adjusting acoustic impedance to suit various environments and user states, improving hearing comfort and sound quality by minimizing low-frequency amplification of the user's voice and enhancing bass response while preventing noise leakage.
Implementation Method 1
the sealing element being at least partially made in an electroactive material. Acoustic impedance of the electroactive material varies as a function of an applied electric field determined by the content of the electric control signal
Implementation Method 2
Acoustic impedance of the electroactive material varies as a function of an applied electric field determined by the content of the electric control signal
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for a hearing instrument, the hearing instrument being configured to be at least partially placed in an ear canal of a wearer of the hearing instrument, the apparatus comprising: a sealing element configured to seal off the ear canal when the hearing instrument with the apparatus is at least partially positioned in the ear canal, wherein operation of the sealing element is controlled by an electric control signal, the sealing element being at least partially made from an electroactive material.