Hearing Aid Profile Update via Acoustic Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hearing aids often require costly and time-intensive adjustments by hearing health professionals to account for varying acoustic environments, and lower-end processors may lack sufficient power to effectively select optimal hearing aid profiles, leading to subpar performance in changing environments.
Innovation Solution
A system where a hearing aid and a computing device communicate wirelessly to automatically or user-based update hearing aid profiles, using sound samples to detect changes in the acoustic environment and select suitable profiles from stored options, allowing for real-time adjustments without the need for frequent professional interventions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple hearing profiles are created for different acoustic environments, then the hearing aid can adapt to various environments, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hearing aid profiles are segmented into different categories (e.g., quiet environment, noisy environment, music, speech) and stored as separate data structures. Each profile contains specific frequency and amplitude adjustments tailored to its acoustic environment, allowing the system to manage multiple configurations without overwhelming complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The hearing aid employs dynamic profile selection where the processor automatically switches between different hearing profiles based on real-time acoustic environment detection. The system dynamically adjusts which profile is active based on detected sound characteristics, enabling adaptability without requiring manual intervention or complex user interfaces.
2Power
If robust processors are used to select between stored profiles, then the processing power is sufficient for effective acoustic environment characterization, but battery power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hearing aid processor performs self-characterization of the acoustic environment using built-in microphones and signal processing capabilities. Rather than requiring external equipment or continuous high-power processing, the system uses its own resources to detect ambient sounds, compare them against stored profile characteristics, and automatically select appropriate profiles, thereby reducing overall power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic acoustic environment characterization rather than continuous high-power processing. The processor periodically samples the acoustic environment, compares it to stored profiles, and updates the selection accordingly. This periodic action reduces the cumulative power consumption compared to continuous robust processing while maintaining effective adaptation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If hearing aid profiles are updated frequently to match changing acoustic environments, then the hearing experience is improved, but the loss of time for professional adjustments increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hearing aid system performs self-adjustment by automatically detecting acoustic environment changes and selecting appropriate pre-stored profiles without requiring professional intervention. The processor characterizes the current acoustic environment, compares it to stored profile characteristics, and switches profiles accordingly, eliminating the need for frequent visits to hearing health professionals.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple hearing profiles are pre-characterized and stored in the hearing aid memory before use. These profiles are prepared in advance with appropriate frequency and amplitude adjustments for different acoustic environments, allowing the system to respond instantly to environmental changes without requiring real-time professional calibration or adjustment.
4Use of energy by moving object
If periodic profile adjustments are made to conserve power, then battery life is extended, but the hearing experience deteriorates in rapidly changing acoustic environments
Solution Approach 1:
The hearing aid incorporates continuous acoustic environment monitoring with feedback to the processor. The system periodically characterizes the acoustic environment and compares it to the current profile selection. When significant changes are detected through this feedback mechanism, the system triggers profile updates even between scheduled periodic intervals, balancing power conservation with adaptive response to rapid environmental changes.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes receiving a data at a hearing aid during operation of the hearing aid and selectively updating a hearing aid profile in response to receiving the data to produce a modified hearing aid profile. The method further includes applying the modified hearing aid profile using a processor of the hearing aid to shape an audio output.