Hearing Aid Mechanical Sound Selection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hearing aids face challenges in accurately detecting sounds generated by user manipulation due to interference from background noise, as the signals from touching or tapping are not sufficiently well-defined for the signal processing means to identify over background noise.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating mechanical sound generating means, such as a tactile button or compressible dome, that produce a specific sound with negative correlation between signals from two microphones, allowing for clear identification and selection of specific settings by analyzing the covariance between microphone signals, which is not affected by positive covariance background noise like wind turbulence.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If mechanical sound generating means are used for function selection, then space for electrical contact is saved, but detecting the sound over background noise becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehearing aid sizeVSAvoidsound detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The sound generating means is positioned asymmetrically relative to the two microphones, creating a specific geometric relationship where the sound path to one microphone is significantly shorter than to the other. This asymmetric positioning ensures that the sound signal arrives at the microphones with different time delays and amplitude levels, creating a unique acoustic fingerprint that can be distinguished from background noise through correlation analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the output from the two microphones as feedback to the signal processing means, which analyzes the correlation between the two signals. When the correlation exceeds a predetermined threshold, the system identifies this as an intentional sound input from the sound generating means, effectively using the signal relationship as feedback to distinguish user input from background noise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If sound generating means is positioned close to microphones, then sound detection sensitivity is improved, but background noise interference increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesound detection sensitivityVSAvoidbackground noise interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention transitions from analyzing sound in a single dimension (amplitude) to analyzing the temporal dimension by examining the time correlation between two microphones. By positioning the sound generating means to create a specific time relationship between signals at the two microphones, the system can distinguish intentional sounds from background noise based on their temporal correlation pattern, effectively adding a time dimension to the detection process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the detection parameter from simple amplitude thresholding to correlation coefficient analysis. By monitoring the correlation between the two microphone signals rather than just the absolute sound level, the system can identify sounds from the sound generating means even when their amplitude is similar to background noise, as the correlation parameter will be significantly higher for intentional sounds.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 reliable detection of user-generated sounds even in noisy environments, facilitating efficient selection of hearing aid settings without electrical contact, thus optimizing space usage in smaller devices.

Implementation Method 1

mechanical sound generating means, said sound generating means being capable of providing a specific sound when manipulated by a hearing aid user

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical vibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

two microphones, signal processing means provided with user selectable settings

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic to electrical transduction:

Implementation Method 3

the sound generating means is arranged such that the two signals, obtained from the specific sound being recorded by the two microphones, will have a negative correlation... one microphone membrane is moved inwards while the other microphone membrane is moved outwards

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic pressure wave: Sound

Data Source

PatentUS8885864B2Hearing aid with mechanical sound generating means for function selection

Publication Date: 2014.11.11 WIDEX AS

AI summary

A hearing aid (1) comprises a housing, two microphones (3, 4), signal processing means provided with user selectable settings, and a receiver. The housing is provided with mechanical sound generating means (5, 11). The sound generating means is capable of providing a specific sound when manipulated by a hearing aid user. The sound generating means is arranged such that the two signals (25), obtained from the specific sound being recorded by the two different microphones (3, 4) will have a negative correlation, making said specific sound identifiable by said signal processing means. The signal processing means are arranged for selecting a specific setting dependent on one or more sounds generated by the sound generating means (5, 11). The invention further provides a method for selecting a setting of a hearing aid.