Hearing Aid DSP Offloading to Smartphone
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hearing aids are limited by high power consumption and limited capability to address diverse noise environments, leading to user dissatisfaction, especially in noisy settings, and are poorly suited for field testing, self-fitting, and remote assistance.
Innovation Solution
A hearing transducer system that offloads digital signal processing to an external device, such as a smartphone, leveraging its computing power for complex signal processing, allowing for adaptive noise suppression, self-fitting, and remote expert assistance, while reducing power consumption and increasing processing capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If digital signal processing is performed within the hearing-aid device itself, then speech enhancement and noise suppression can be achieved, but power consumption increases and processing capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the digital signal processing functions from the hearing-aid device and relocates them to an external computing device. The hearing-aid device retains only the acoustic sensors and basic audio output components, while complex DSP tasks such as noise suppression, speech enhancement, and environmental classification are performed externally and the processed audio is transmitted back to the hearing-aid for output. This extraction resolves the contradiction by eliminating the power consumption burden of DSP while maintaining speech enhancement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an external computing device as an intermediary between the acoustic environment and the user's ear. This intermediary device performs the computationally intensive signal processing tasks that would be impractical to implement directly in the hearing-aid, thereby enabling advanced speech enhancement and noise suppression without the power consumption penalty. The intermediary processes the audio data and returns enhanced audio to the hearing-aid device.
2Reliability
If complex digital signal processing is implemented in the hearing-aid device, then noise suppression and speech enhancement improve, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex digital signal processing functionality from the hearing-aid device structure, leaving only the essential acoustic sensing and audio output components. The noise suppression and speech enhancement algorithms reside in the external computing device, which the user already possesses. This extraction dramatically simplifies the hearing-aid device while maintaining advanced noise suppression capability through the external processor.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent leverages the universal computing device (smartphone, tablet, or computer) that most users already own to perform the signal processing functions. This universal device can handle multiple tasks including noise suppression, speech enhancement, environmental classification, and even provide remote assistance capabilities. By utilizing this existing multi-functional device, the patent avoids adding specialized complex components to the hearing-aid itself.
3Ease of operation
If traditional hearing-aid fitting procedures are used, then device performance can be adjusted, but user satisfaction remains low especially in noisy environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback loops where the external computing device continuously analyzes the acoustic environment and adjusts signal processing parameters in real-time based on environmental conditions and user responses. The system collects feedback about speech intelligibility and noise levels, then dynamically adapts the noise suppression and speech enhancement algorithms to optimize performance for the current listening situation, thereby improving reliability in noisy environments while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the static fitting procedures into dynamic, adaptive processes. Instead of fixed amplification and noise suppression settings, the system continuously adapts its parameters based on real-time environmental analysis and user feedback. The external computing device adjusts signal processing characteristics dynamically to match changing acoustic conditions, thereby improving performance in noisy environments while keeping the interface simple for the user.
4Adaptability or versatility
If high-power radios such as Bluetooth are used for wireless transmission, then connectivity to external devices is achieved, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs partial wireless transmission by sending only the essential audio data and control signals between the hearing-aid device and the external computing device, rather than transmitting full-duplex bidirectional data streams. The external device performs all heavy processing locally, and only the processed audio output needs to be transmitted back to the hearing-aid. This partial transmission approach maintains wireless connectivity versatility while minimizing radio power consumption by transmitting only necessary data at lower power levels.
Data Source
AI summary
A hearing assistance and/or noise suppression device leverages computing power of an external device with a digital signal processor, such as a special unit that is configured to communicate with a smart device (e.g., a smart phone, smart watch or smart pendant) or a smart phone with a digital signal processor. Methods include having a hearing transducer communicate with and offload computing tasks to an external device with a digital signal processor. Systems include a hearing transducer with transducer circuitry that receives, amplifies and outputs digital signal processed audio from another device. Methods provide self-adjustment and fitting through a touch screen interface, which can be conducted outside of a clinical setting in a real world environment, and method can include remote data collection and communications with clinicians.