Hearing Aid Fall Detection via Binaural Sensor Fusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Falls, particularly among the elderly, often result in disorientation, making communication for assistance difficult, and existing means of contacting others for help are hard to execute after a fall.
Innovation Solution
A hearing assistance device equipped with a control circuit, motion sensor, microphone, transducer, and power supply circuit, configured to detect falls by evaluating data from sensors, initiate a timer, and send fall alerts wirelessly to other devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional fall detection methods are used, then fall detection capability is provided, but the device complexity increases and ease of operation decreases for disoriented individuals
Solution Approach 1:
The hearing assistance device is designed to perform multiple functions: traditional hearing assistance and fall detection with alert transmission. By integrating fall detection sensors and alert functionality into an existing hearing device that users already wear, the system avoids requiring separate dedicated fall detection equipment, thereby maintaining ease of operation while providing reliable fall detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically detects falls using integrated sensors and autonomously transmits alerts to designated contacts without requiring the user to manually operate the device. This self-service capability is crucial for disoriented individuals who may be unable to communicate or operate equipment after a fall, thus maintaining ease of operation while ensuring reliable fall detection and notification.
2Reliability
If fall detection and alert transmission features are added to hearing assistance devices, then timely assistance is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hearing assistance device integrates fall detection sensors, processing circuitry, and wireless communication capabilities into an existing multi-functional platform. By leveraging the existing hearing device's power supply, processing capabilities, and communication interfaces, the system adds fall detection functionality without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines fall detection functionality with hearing assistance functionality in a single integrated device. The fall detection system shares resources with the hearing assistance system, including power supply, processing unit, and wireless communication interfaces, thereby reducing the complexity that would result from separate dedicated devices.
3Measurement precision
If binaural fall detection is implemented, then detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity and synchronization requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from both hearing assistance devices to determine binaural detection. Each device independently monitors fall parameters and communicates findings to the other device and/or external system. This feedback mechanism enables accurate binaural fall detection by comparing data from both sides, while the distributed architecture reduces central coordination complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The fall detection system is segmented into independent functional units in each hearing assistance device. Each device independently performs local fall detection analysis using its own sensors and processing capabilities, then shares results with the other device. This segmentation reduces synchronization complexity by allowing independent operation while still enabling collaborative binaural detection accuracy.
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 timely assistance by accurately detecting falls and sending alerts, even when the individual is disoriented, thereby improving response times and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a first motion sensor in electrical communication with the first control circuit, wherein the first motion sensor is disposed in a fixed position relative to a head of a subject wearing the hearing assistance device
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments herein relate to devices and related systems and methods for detecting falls. In an embodiment, a hearing assistance device is included having a first control circuit and a first motion sensor. The first motion sensor can be disposed in a fixed position relative to a head of a subject wearing the hearing assistance device. A first microphone and a first transducer for generating sound can be in operational communication with the first control circuit. The first control circuit can be configured to evaluate data from one or more sensors to detect a possible fall of a subject in physical contact with the hearing assistance device. The device can be configured to wirelessly transmit data regarding a possible fall to another device including an indication of whether the possible fall was detected binaurally or monoaurally. Other embodiments are included herein.