Hearing Aid Accelerometer Filtering for Nodding Artefact Rejection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hearing aids struggle to accurately distinguish between lateral head movements and nodding gestures, leading to misclassification and inappropriate adjustment of signal processing modes, particularly in one-to-one conversations.
Innovation Solution
A hearing aid system that utilizes an accelerometer to detect movements in X-, Y-, and Z-axes, filters out nodding gestures by calculating a sample-by-sample minimum of X- and Y-axis counts, and adjusts signal processing parameters based on the estimated listening intention to maintain focused mode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the accelerometer data from X and Z axes is used to detect head movements, then lateral head turns can be detected, but nodding gestures are misclassified as lateral head turns leading to incorrect mode switching
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the movement detection by separating lateral head turn detection (using X and Y axes) from nodding detection (using Z axis). By calculating the minimum of X and Y axis counts separately from Z axis counts, the system can distinguish between lateral movements and nodding gestures, preventing misclassification and maintaining reliable mode detection.
2Manufacturing precision
If the hearing aid provides increased directionality and noise reduction for focused conversation, then signal processing quality improves, but nodding gestures trigger mode switching out of focused mode reducing processing quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic thresholds for mode classification that adapt to different conversation contexts. By using minimum-based counting with separate thresholds for lateral movement and nodding, the system dynamically adjusts its sensitivity to different gesture types, maintaining focused mode during nodding while remaining adaptable to genuine lateral head turns that indicate loss of focus.
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
Enhances the accuracy of signal processing by maintaining focused mode during conversations, reducing noise and improving directionality by distinguishing between lateral head movements and nodding gestures.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor member for detecting a movement of a hearing aid user, such as accelerometers
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
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AI summary
The present application relates to a hearing aid adapted for being located at or in an ear of a user. The hearing aid comprises an input unit for receiving an input sound signal from an acoustic environment of a hearing aid user and providing at least one electric input signal representing said input sound signal, an output unit for providing at least one set of stimuli perceivable as sound to the hearing aid user based on processed versions of said at least one electric input signal, a sensor member for detecting a movement of the user and/or an orientation of the user's head, wherein the sensor member comprises an accelerometer configured to provide accelerometer data comprising at least one signal representing said movement and/or orientation in X-, Y-, and Z-axes of an X-Y-Z co-ordinate system, wherein the hearing aid is configured to translate the accelerometer data to quantify said movement and/or orientation as counts in said X-, Y-, and Z-axes and to separate lateral head movements defined as counts in said X- and Y-axes and vertical head movements defined as counts in the X- and Z-axes, and wherein the hearing aid further comprises a decision unit configured to filter the accelerometer data by calculating at least a sample-by-sample minimum of the counts in said X- and Y-axes, and configured to estimate a listening intention of the user based on said sample-by-sample minimum, and wherein the hearing aid comprises a processing unit, and where the hearing aid is configured to set signal processing parameters of the processing unit based on the estimated listening intention of the user.