Hearing Aid Core Temperature Estimation via Dual Sensor Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hearing aid technologies face challenges in accurately estimating body temperature due to measurement insecurities and factors that degrade the estimate, such as close contact with the head and local heating effects, which affect the reliability of temperature measurements.
Innovation Solution
A hearing aid system with a first temperature sensor in the ear canal and a reference temperature sensor positioned externally, along with a temperature processor that compensates for local heating and ambient temperature, using additional sensors like motion and wind sensors to improve the accuracy of core body temperature estimation, allowing for an open system configuration that enhances user comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a temperature sensor is arranged in the ear canal close to the eardrum to measure body temperature, then the measurement proximity to the target is improved, but local heating effects and measurement insecurities worsen the accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a reference temperature sensor positioned in the ear canal but at a distance from the eardrum, serving as an intermediary measurement point. This reference sensor measures the ambient temperature in the ear canal without being affected by local heating from the eardrum or body contact, allowing the system to differentiate between actual body temperature and local thermal effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct physical contact measurement (which causes local heating) with a computational approach. By using multiple temperature sensors and algorithms to calculate body temperature based on temperature gradients and environmental factors, the system eliminates the need for direct sensor-to-drum contact, thereby removing the source of local heating while maintaining measurement capability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the hearing aid is placed in close contact with the head to improve fit and stability, then the stability of the device is improved, but the accuracy of temperature measurement deteriorates due to degraded estimates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the temperature measurement function into multiple independent sensors: a first temperature sensor for body temperature measurement, a reference temperature sensor for ambient ear canal temperature, and potentially additional sensors for environmental conditions. This segmentation allows each sensor to perform its specific function without interfering with others, maintaining both device stability and measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the reference temperature sensor continuously monitors ambient conditions in the ear canal, and this information is fed back to the processing unit. The system uses this feedback to compensate for environmental influences on the body temperature measurement, adjusting the calculation based on real-time conditions to maintain accuracy despite device contact with the head.
3Reliability
If a closed environment in the ear canal is used to improve temperature measurement, then measurement reliability is improved, but user comfort deteriorates due to restricted air flow and ambient sound
Solution Approach 1:
The reference temperature sensor acts as an intermediary that can function in open ear canal configurations. It measures the ambient temperature in the ear canal environment without requiring a closed seal, allowing the system to calculate body temperature based on the temperature differential between the reference sensor and the first temperature sensor, thus maintaining measurement reliability while preserving user comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from direct body contact temperature to temperature differential measurement. By measuring the temperature difference between the first sensor (near eardrum) and the reference sensor (in ambient ear canal environment), the system can accurately determine body temperature even in open configurations where ambient air flow is present, eliminating the need for a closed environment.
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 provides a more accurate and comfortable estimation of core body temperature by compensating for local heating and ambient factors, improving reliability and user experience through the use of multiple sensors and signal processing.
Implementation Method 1
a first temperature sensor arranged in the first housing... obtain a measurement of the temperature in the ear canal
Implementation Method 2
a reference temperature sensor in communication with the temperature processor... obtain a reference temperature from the reference temperature sensor
Implementation Method 3
The temperature processor may be configured to compensate for local heating effects on the first temperature sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A hearing aid device including sensors are disclosed. Specifically, a hearing aid with a temperature sensor and a reference sensor. Also disclosed is a method for estimating body core temperature.