Hearing Aid Frequency Control via Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hearing aids do not effectively enhance specific desired frequencies of sound, leading to difficulties for individuals with auditory disabilities in distinguishing important sounds amidst background noise.
Innovation Solution
A control system associated with a computer or smartphone, using Bluetooth technology, allows users to select and amplify specific frequency ranges, optionally filtering or canceling non-selected frequencies to enhance desired sounds, and can be customized for conditions like Autism Spectrum Disorder or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If hearing aids amplify all sounds equally, then overall sound volume is increased, but desired frequencies cannot be distinguished from background noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the frequency spectrum into multiple discrete frequency ranges (e.g., first frequency range, second frequency range, third frequency range). Each range can be independently amplified or filtered, allowing the system to enhance desired frequencies while suppressing background noise in other frequency bands, thereby resolving the contradiction between overall amplification and frequency discrimination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different amplification characteristics to different frequency ranges. Specifically, it amplifies sounds in selected frequency ranges more than sounds in other frequency ranges, creating local quality variations in the frequency domain. This allows desired sounds in specific frequency bands to be enhanced while background noise in other bands remains suppressed, improving frequency discrimination capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If hearing aids provide basic amplification functions, then device simplicity is maintained, but frequency-specific enhancement capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a computer as an intermediary device that communicates with the hearing aid via Bluetooth technology. The computer runs application programs that provide sophisticated frequency control capabilities, while the hearing aid itself remains relatively simple. This intermediary approach enables advanced frequency-specific enhancement without significantly increasing the complexity of the hearing aid hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the hearing aid system multi-functional by enabling it to operate in different modes: basic amplification mode for general use, and frequency-specific enhancement mode for targeted sound improvement. The system can selectively amplify different frequency ranges based on user needs, providing both simplicity and adaptability through a single unified device.
Data Source
AI summary
An operating system is provided for a hearing aid through which the hearing aid can be controlled to enhance the operation of the hearing aid. The operating system can be associated with a Smart Phone that connects with the hearing aid through Bluetooth technology. The control system can enhance desired frequencies of sound, corresponding to selections made by the individual wearing the hearing aid to better hear certain desired sounds. The control system can simply amplify sounds falling into the selected frequency ranges to distinguish those desired sounds above sounds falling into other frequencies. Optionally, the control system could at least partially block, filter or cancel the sounds falling outside the selected frequency ranges to further distinguish the sounds of the selected frequency over the sounds of the non-selected frequencies. The control system can be used to control undesirable sounds for people with ASD or TBI.