Hearing Aid Remote Fitting Connection Failure Recovery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing remote hearing aid fitting methods risk leaving users with non-functional hearing aids due to internet connection failures during fitting sessions, as they do not adequately address data integrity and system recovery in case of connection interruptions.

Innovation Solution

A method that employs a digital counter and trigger mechanism within the hearing aid system to automatically switch to a backup set of sound processing parameters if the internet connection is interrupted, ensuring the hearing aid remains functional and alerting the user to connection issues, with options for dynamic threshold adjustments and acoustic alerts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If remote fitting is implemented using internet connection, then user convenience and accessibility are improved, but system reliability deteriorates due to connection failures during fitting sessions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidsystem reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The hearing aid system stores backup sound processing parameters in advance before remote fitting begins. When a connection failure is detected during fitting, the system automatically switches to these pre-stored backup parameters, ensuring continuous operation without requiring user intervention or reconnection to the fitting server.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system prepares compensatory measures in advance by maintaining multiple sets of sound processing parameters (current and backup). This cushioning mechanism ensures that if the remote fitting connection fails, the system has pre-prepared fallback options to maintain hearing aid functionality, thus cushioning against the reliability risk of internet connection failures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If automatic switching to backup parameters is implemented, then system reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional memory and control mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sound processing parameters are segmented into distinct sets: current parameters being used and backup parameters stored for emergency use. This segmentation allows the system to maintain separate parameter sets independently, simplifying the switching logic while ensuring reliability through the availability of pre-segregated backup options.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hearing aid system performs automatic detection of connection failures and autonomous switching to backup parameters without requiring external intervention. The system monitors its own operational status and self-corrects by switching to backup parameters when needed, reducing the need for complex external control mechanisms while maintaining high reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If remote fitting allows partial reprogramming during session, then fitting flexibility is improved, but harmful factors increase due to potential incompatible data settings if connection is interrupted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefitting flexibilityVSAvoidincompatible data settings
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors the status of the remote connection during fitting sessions and provides feedback about connection health. When a connection interruption is detected, the system triggers a switch to backup parameters, preventing the harmful effect of incompatible data settings from occurring. This feedback mechanism allows the system to adapt to connection issues while maintaining data integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system takes preliminary anti-action by preparing backup parameters before any connection failure can occur. These backup parameters represent a known good state that prevents the harmful effect of incompatible settings. By having pre-prepared countermeasures in place, the system can immediately counteract the potential harm of interrupted fitting sessions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentEP2997740B1A method of remotely fitting a hearing aid system, a remote hearing aid fitting system and a hearing aid
Publication Date: 2019.10.16 WIDEX AS
  • EP2997740B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

A method of remote fitting a hearing aid system (102) adapted to avoid mal-functioning of the hearing aid system as a consequence of an interruption or failure of the remote connection during a remote fitting of the hearing aid system. A hearing aid fitting system adapted for such a method and a hearing aid adapted for such a method.