Hearing Aid Fitting via Percentile Analysis and Frequency Response
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for adjusting hearing devices are time-consuming and uncomfortable for users due to the lengthy percentile analysis required for precise settings, which often results in suboptimal adjustments and limited patience from wearers.
Innovation Solution
A two-stage method is employed, where the hearing device's transmission properties are measured absolutely using percentile analysis, followed by determining and adjusting deviations from a target amplification characteristic using simple frequency response measurements, significantly accelerating the adjustment process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If percentile analysis is used to measure transmission properties of the hearing device, then measurement precision is improved, but measurement time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment process is divided into two distinct stages: first, a precise but time-consuming percentile analysis is performed once to establish accurate baseline transmission properties; second, multiple quick frequency response measurements are used for iterative adjustments. This segmentation allows the precise measurement to be done only when necessary, while faster measurements handle routine tuning.
Solution Approach 2:
The percentile analysis is performed as a preliminary action before the main adjustment process. By completing the precise measurement first, the foundation is laid for subsequent quick adjustments, eliminating the need to repeat the time-consuming percentile analysis during iterative tuning phases.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple iterative measurements are performed to achieve optimal hearing device settings, then adjustment quality is improved, but patient comfort and patience are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment process is segmented into an initial precise measurement phase followed by multiple quick adjustment phases. This reduces the cumulative time the patient must endure in the measurement booth, improving comfort while maintaining adjustment quality through the use of fast frequency response measurements for iterative tuning.
Solution Approach 2:
After the initial percentile analysis, the method skips repeated use of the time-consuming percentile measurement and instead uses accelerated frequency response measurements for iterative adjustments. This rushing through the adjustment iterations with faster methods maintains quality while significantly reducing patient waiting time.
3Productivity
If fast measurement methods are used instead of percentile analysis, then measurement time is reduced, but measurement precision and reliability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The precise percentile analysis is performed as a preliminary action to establish accurate baseline transmission properties before switching to faster measurement methods. This ensures that the foundation for adjustment is based on precise data, even though subsequent iterations use faster techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement process is segmented into two phases: initial precise percentile analysis for baseline establishment, followed by faster frequency response measurements for iterative adjustments. This segmentation allows the system to leverage the strengths of both methods - precision when needed and speed during routine tuning.
Data Source
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AI summary
The aim of the invention is to accelerate high-quality matching of a hearing apparatus, and in particular of a hearing aid. To that end, a matching method is proposed in which a percentile analysis (10) is carried out in order to obtain at least one frequency response of the hearing apparatus, and any discrepancy (11) between the frequency response and an intended gain characteristic is determined. The setting of the hearing apparatus is then changed (12), such that the discrepancy is reduced. In order to check the effect of the setting change, a current frequency response (13) after variation of the setting is determined by providing a constant noise signal or a single sinusoidal sweep at the input of the hearing apparatus and level measurement at the output. This frequency response measurement can be carried out as a second step considerably more quickly than the very precise percentile analysis at the start of the method.