Hearing Aid Fine-Tuning via Environmental Data Correlation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for fine-tuning hearing aids provide only rough guidelines for audiologists, lacking specific information on how users experience sound environments characterized by physical parameters, leading to suboptimal adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A method that correlates user subjective experience data with sound environment logging data, allowing for detailed analysis and adjustment of hearing aid settings without requiring face-to-face visits, using a software package to analyze both datasets and implement changes remotely.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional questionnaire-based fine tuning methods are used, then the fitting process is simple and quick, but the precision of adjustment is insufficient due to lack of specific environmental data
Solution Approach 1:
The hearing aid logs sound environment data in advance during the user's normal wear period, so that when fine tuning is needed, the precise environmental data is already available for correlation with questionnaire responses, eliminating the need for complex real-time measurements
Solution Approach 2:
The system correlates questionnaire data with previously logged environmental data to provide feedback on how the hearing aid performed in specific sound environments, enabling more precise adjustments based on actual usage conditions rather than general assumptions
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple face-to-face visits to the audiologist are scheduled for fine tuning, then precise adjustments can be made, but the loss of time and inconvenience to the user increases
Solution Approach 1:
The user completes the questionnaire and data correlation process at home without needing to visit the audiologist multiple times. The hearing aid automatically logs environmental data and the user can submit questionnaire responses remotely, allowing the fine tuning process to be performed by the user themselves with minimal professional intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The logged environmental data acts as an intermediary that carries information about actual usage conditions between the hearing aid and the audiologist, enabling precise adjustments to be made remotely without requiring the user to be physically present during the analysis process
3Loss of information
If general sound environment logging is implemented, then data on usage conditions is available, but specific information on user experience in different environments is still lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges objective environmental data logged by the hearing aid with subjective questionnaire data provided by the user, creating a comprehensive dataset that links specific sound environments with user experiences in those environments, thereby recovering the information that was previously lost
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
A method for fitting a hearing aid (1), comprising the steps of recording the audiogram of the hearing aid user (6), selecting a fitting setting, using the hearing aid (1) for a period of time, logging data representing information on the sound environment in which the hearing aid is being used. The method comprises the steps of providing a computer based questionnaire on a first computer (2), said questionnaire comprising questions directed to the hearing aid users subjective experience with using the hearing aid, thereafter uploading questionnaire data representing the filled out questionnaire to an internet server (3), downloading said questionnaire data from said internet server to a second computer (4), transferring said logged data to said second computer, correlating said downloaded questionnaire data with said logged data, and selecting a new hearing aid setting, implementing the new hearing aid setting into the hearing aid.