Hearing Aid Data Logging via Level Translation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current digital hearing aids cannot perform data logging during normal operation without causing audible side-effects and excessive current drain.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that includes a digital signal processing entity, non-volatile memory, and a data logging manager with a level translating module for voltage translation between the DSP entity and NV memory, enabling data logging during audio processing without interrupting audio quality and reducing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If data logging is performed during normal hearing aid operation, then data can be stored during operation, but audible side-effects occur and current drain increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the audio signal path from the data logging path by using distinct buffers (audio buffer and data buffer) and separate processing channels. This segmentation allows data logging operations to occur independently without interfering with the audio signal, eliminating audible side-effects while maintaining productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic data logging at predetermined time intervals rather than continuous logging. The data logger is enabled during specific time periods when audio processing is not critically dependent on immediate data access, allowing data to be accumulated in buffers during operation without causing audible artifacts or excessive current drain.
2Loss of time
If data logging is performed during normal hearing aid operation, then real-time data storage is achieved, but current consumption increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The data logging operation is performed periodically at predetermined time intervals rather than continuously. The data logger is enabled during specific time windows when data can be safely accumulated in buffers, then disabled to conserve power, achieving real-time storage capability while significantly reducing overall current consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses buffer memory to create temporary copies of audio data during operation. These buffered copies can be processed and logged without requiring continuous high-power operations on the main audio processing path, reducing current drain while maintaining real-time data capture capability.
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
Enables data logging during normal hearing aid operation without audible side-effects and reduces current drain, ensuring logged data is stored without interrupting audio quality and minimizing power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a level translating module for performing voltage level translation to a communication signal transferred between the DSP entity and NV memory
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for data logging in a listening device is provided. The system includes a digital signal processing (DSP) entity, which performs normal hearing aid audio and system processing, a level translating module, and a non-volatile (NV) memory. The NV memory is used to store logged data. During the hearing aid audio processing, the DSP entity communicates with the NV memory via the level translating module. The level translating module performs voltage-translation during data logging to a communication signal between the DSP entity and the NV memory.