Hearing Aid Microphone Positioning via Ear Mesh Acoustic Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hearing aids are optimized based on average ear responses, failing to account for individual variations in ear shape and acoustic responses, which affects their adaptation to specific users.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that record physical ear characteristics to generate an image and mesh model, calculate acoustic responses, and identify the optimal microphone position for each user, using a combination of imaging, numerical analysis, and comparison techniques to customize the hearing aid's placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If hearing aids are optimized based on average ear responses, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but individual adaptation quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by capturing images of the user's ear and calculating acoustic responses before the hearing aid is finalized. The method pre-determines optimal microphone positions and acoustic adjustments based on individual ear characteristics, allowing custom adaptation without increasing manufacturing complexity during production.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes parameters by using individual ear images and acoustic response calculations to determine custom microphone positions and hearing aid settings for each user. This allows the hearing aid to be adapted to individual ear canal geometry and acoustic properties, improving personalization while maintaining standardized manufacturing processes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If individual ear shape measurement is implemented, then hearing aid adaptation quality is improved, but measurement and analysis complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces complex mechanical measurement systems with optical imaging methods. Instead of using physical probes or complex measurement devices to map ear canal geometry, the system uses images of the ear (such as photographs or scans) to extract geometric information and calculate acoustic responses, significantly reducing measurement and analysis complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If optimal microphone position is determined through simulation, then sound quality is improved, but calculation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculations of acoustic responses and optimal microphone positions using simulated models based on individual ear images. By pre-calculating the optimal positions before actual hearing aid deployment, the method achieves precise microphone placement without requiring time-consuming iterative adjustments or extensive real-world testing.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for adapting a hearing aid to a user includes a unit generating an image of the user's ear together with a model of the hearing aid, wherein the model of the hearing aid in-situ includes a physical model of the hearing aid inserted in the user's ear prior to generating the image. The system also generates a mesh based on the image, calculates acoustic response to a simulated acoustic signal in the mesh, calculates a frequency response curve for a fixed position in the mesh, and identifies an optimal position of a microphone of the hearing aid in-situ from the acoustic response. They system also includes a comparator configured to compare the frequency response curve for the fixed position in the mesh with a maximum frequency response curve for the mesh stored by the system.