Hearing Aid Head Direction Audio Input Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hearing impaired individuals face challenges in understanding speech in noisy environments due to inadequate signal-to-noise ratio in current head-worn hearing aids, and there is a need for seamless switching between wireless audio and microphone inputs without manual intervention.
Innovation Solution
A head-worn hearing device with a directional sensor that automatically switches between audio inputs based on the user's direction, using a combination of magnetic and gravitational sensors to determine the user's orientation and switch between wireless audio and microphone inputs, allowing the user to focus on either source by looking at it.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual switching between wireless audio input and microphone input is implemented, then audio input switching capability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to repeated manual intervention required
Solution Approach 1:
The hearing aid automatically switches between audio inputs using head direction sensing, eliminating the need for manual user intervention. The system serves itself by detecting when the user turns their head and autonomously switching between wireless audio and microphone inputs, thereby resolving the contradiction between having switching capability and maintaining ease of operation.
2Ease of operation
If consistent mixing of wireless audio input and microphone input is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but signal-to-noise ratio deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between different audio inputs based on real-time head direction detection, rather than consistently mixing both inputs. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain high signal-to-noise ratio by selecting the appropriate input source, while still providing operational convenience through automatic switching.
3Area of stationary object
If directional hearing aid with broad beam forming is used, then coverage area is improved, but speech understanding in reverberant environments deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the audio input selection based on spatial direction by detecting head orientation. Instead of using a single broad beam that captures all directions equally, the system divides the audio space and selectively amplifies sounds from the direction the user is facing, thereby improving speech understanding in reverberant environments while maintaining directional 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
Improves signal-to-noise ratio and simplifies audio source switching, enabling users to easily transition between wireless audio and microphone inputs without manual control, enhancing speech understanding in various environments.
Implementation Method 1
a directional sensor which allows a determination of which direction the user is facing
Implementation Method 2
using a combination of magnetic and gravitational sensors to determine the user's orientation
Data Source
AI summary
A body-worn hearing assist device such as a hearing aid allows at least two audio inputs, such as through a wireless chipset and from an onboard microphone. The hearing aid has a directional sensor, preferably a combination magnetic sensor/accelerometer, which allows the hearing aid to determine which direction the user is facing. A directional reference associated with a “remote” sound source, i.e., the direction the user would naturally face to best hear the wirelessly transmitted audio, is stored in memory. When the user faces in the direction of the “remote” sound source, such as watching a screen of an audio-visual program having a wireless audio streamer or looking at someone using a wireless microphone, the wirelessly received audio is coupled as the primary input of the hearing aid. When the user turns and faces a different direction, the hearing aid automatically switches the primary input source to the onboard microphone.