Hearing Aid Deformable Member Rigid Cochlear Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hearing aid devices that directly vibrate the promontorium or cochlear fluid suffer from low efficiency, particularly at high frequencies and in individuals with severe hearing loss, as they fail to effectively transfer vibration energy to the cochlea.
Innovation Solution
A hearing aid device featuring a deformable member rigidly coupled to bony tissue, which contracts and expands in response to an external field, directly stimulating the cochlea through a fastening assembly that anchors to distant portions of the cochlea or adjacent bone structures, allowing for efficient vibration transfer across a wide frequency range without impedance matching issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If devices directly vibrate the promontorium or cochlear fluid, then the cochlea can be stimulated, but the vibration energy transfer efficiency is low especially at high frequencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a promontorium-contacting element as an intermediary component that couples the vibration actuator to the promontorium. This mediator efficiently transfers vibration energy from the actuator to the cochlear structure, resolving the energy transfer inefficiency while maintaining reliable hearing stimulation across the frequency range.
2Loss of energy
If devices vibrate only a small area of the cochlea, then the device structure is simple, but the efficiency is low especially at high frequencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the vibration actuator with a promontorium-contacting element to create an integrated assembly that distributes vibration energy across a larger area of the cochlea. This merging of components achieves broad frequency efficiency without requiring multiple separate devices or complex multi-element structures.
3Loss of energy
If a device attached to promontorium vibrates the cochlea, then direct stimulation is achieved, but most vibration energy is lost to the air on the other side
Solution Approach 1:
The promontorium-contacting element is designed with specific local properties optimized for coupling to the promontorium bone structure. This localized optimization ensures that vibration energy is directed into the cochlear structure rather than being lost to the air space, while maintaining reliable stimulation of the target tissue.
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 device achieves enhanced hearing efficiency by applying high forces to the cochlea, effectively stimulating it across a broad frequency range from a few Hertz to ultrasonic frequencies, improving sound perception in individuals with severe hearing loss.
Implementation Method 1
The deformable member is configured for contracting and expanding in response to an applied external field
Data Source
AI summary
A hearing aid device is presented being configured for direct cochlea vibration stimulation. The hearing aid device comprises: a deformable member configured for contracting and expanding along a deformation axis between its first and second sides in response to an applied external field; and a fastening assembly configured for carrying the deformable member so as to provide rigid coupling of the first and second sides of the deformable member to a bony tissue in the vicinity of cochlea, such that contraction and expansion of said deformable member directly stimulates vibration of the cochlea.