Ear-Worn Hearing Aid Neural Network Denoising Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional hearing aids struggle to effectively separate speech from noise in noisy environments, leading to challenges in speech intelligibility for individuals with hearing loss.
Innovation Solution
A hearing aid system that includes a first hearing aid with non-programmable user input and neural network circuitry for denoising audio signals, and a processing device for managing the neural network's enabling and disabling based on user input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional hearing aids amplify received sound, then hearing ability is improved, but speech intelligibility in noisy environments deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the audio signal processing into distinct functional components: traditional amplification for overall hearing improvement, and separate neural network-based denoising for speech intelligibility enhancement. This segmentation allows each component to address specific aspects of the hearing problem independently, resolving the contradiction between amplification and noise interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces neural network circuitry as an intermediary between the microphones and the audio output. This intermediary processes the amplified audio signals to separate and remove noise components while preserving speech, thereby maintaining the benefits of amplification while eliminating noise interference.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If neural network circuitry is added for denoising, then speech intelligibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the neural network circuitry with the existing hearing aid architecture, integrating denoising functionality into the audio processing pipeline. By combining multiple functions (amplification, denoising, speech enhancement) into a unified system, the patent reduces overall device complexity compared to having separate independent systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The hearing aid system is designed with multi-functional circuitry that performs both traditional amplification and neural network-based denoising through shared hardware resources. This universality allows a single device to address multiple hearing challenges simultaneously, reducing the need for additional specialized components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If user input device is made programmable, then adaptability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service programming where the hearing aid automatically configures and optimizes its own functions based on user interactions and environmental conditions. The device performs self-diagnosis and self-adjustment, eliminating the need for users to manually program complex parameters while maintaining high adaptability to different usage scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the hearing aid continuously monitors user responses and environmental conditions, then automatically adjusts its programming and parameters. This closed-loop feedback system enables the device to adapt to user needs without requiring manual reprogramming, maintaining ease of operation while achieving high versatility.
Data Source
AI summary
A hearing aid includes a non-programmable user input device that is not programmable by a user nor by an audiologist, control circuitry configured to receive an activation signal from the non-programmable user input device, one or more microphones, neural network circuitry configured to denoise audio signals received by the one or more microphones, and communication circuitry. The hearing aid is configured to detect, using the control circuitry, user activation of the non-programmable user input device on the hearing aid; control, using the control circuitry and based on detecting the activation of the non-programmable user input device on the hearing aid, switching between enabling and disabling the neural network circuitry; and transmit, using the communication circuitry, an indication of the enabling or disabling of the neural network circuitry to a processing device in operative communication with the hearing aid.