Hearing Aid Audio Control for Background and Feedback Noise
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current hearing aids suffer from issues such as amplification of background noises, feedback noise, and discomfort due to their design and technology, leading to hearing impairment and maintenance challenges, with existing noise elimination methods causing sound distortion and power consumption concerns.
Innovation Solution
A personal sound processing apparatus featuring an earphone, microphone, and electronic sound processor with an automatic gain controller, automated feedback tracker, microcontroller, and digital volume controller, which recognizes feedback and background noise conditions to modulate sound volume and reduce noise effectively, using a moving-coil speaker and rechargeable battery for improved comfort and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hearing aids amplify sound signals to make them audible for hearing impaired users, then the usefulness of the device is improved, but background noises and feedback noises are also amplified to high decibel levels causing discomfort and potential hearing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the audio signal processing into separate channels: a first channel processes low-frequency signals (0-2000 Hz) while a second channel processes high-frequency signals (2000-8000 Hz). This segmentation allows selective amplification and noise reduction in different frequency ranges, amplifying speech frequencies while suppressing background noise frequencies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different processing characteristics to different parts of the frequency spectrum. Low-frequency signals receive one type of processing while high-frequency signals receive another type, allowing the device to optimize for speech intelligibility while reducing harmful background noise in specific frequency bands.
2Power
If conventional hearing aids use moving-iron type loudspeakers to produce sound, then the device can amplify sound signals, but high frequency sounds become distorted and cause ear-splitting noises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional moving-iron type loudspeaker with a moving-coil type loudspeaker. This substitution eliminates the mechanical limitations that caused high-frequency distortion and ear-splitting noises, providing cleaner and more accurate sound reproduction across the frequency spectrum.
3Volume of moving object
If BTE hearing aids place the microphone and loudspeaker close to one another for compact design, then the device size is reduced, but high dB feedback noises are produced that can cause further hearing impairment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent spatially separates the microphone and loudspeaker along the ear canal axis, positioning the microphone deeper in the ear canal while the loudspeaker remains in the earlobe area. This dimensional separation along the depth axis reduces feedback noise while maintaining a compact overall device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the audio processing into separate frequency channels, with specific feedback suppression algorithms applied to high-frequency signals where feedback noise is most problematic, while maintaining normal amplification for speech frequencies.
4Reliability
If ITE hearing aids are custom made to fit perfectly in the user's outer ear to prevent sound leaking, then sound isolation is improved, but the tight fit condition causes discomfort and Venting produces high dB feedback noises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different processing strategies to different frequency ranges affected by venting. Low-frequency signals pass through the vent with minimal impact, while high-frequency signals undergo processing to reduce feedback noise, allowing the device to maintain effective sound isolation while mitigating venting-related feedback.
5Object-affected harmful factors
If digital filtering and frequency compensation are used to eliminate noise, then some noise can be eliminated, but the original and natural sound signals differ greatly causing perception problems and mental/physical discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs adaptive processing that dynamically adjusts amplification and filtering parameters based on the input signal characteristics. The device continuously analyzes the audio spectrum and applies frequency-dependent gain adjustments, allowing natural sound preservation while selectively reducing background noise in real-time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the amplification parameters differently for different frequency bands. Instead of uniform amplification, the device applies frequency-selective gain control, maintaining natural sound characteristics in speech frequencies while reducing amplification of background noise frequencies, thereby avoiding perception problems.
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
The solution significantly reduces background and feedback noises, providing a quieter environment for users, improving audio fidelity, and reducing the risk of hearing damage while being cost-effective and easy to maintain, with features like digital display and interchangeable ear tips for comfort and style.
Implementation Method 1
The earphone uses the moving-coil type loudspeaker which produces no ear-splitting high frequency sounds and no sound distortion
Data Source
AI summary
A personal sound processing apparatus has an earphone; a microphone; an electronic sound processor connected between an automatic gain controller (AGC) and a digital volume controller, an automated feedback tracker operatively connected to the microcontroller, and an audio signal amplifier to amplify audio signals which level is controlled by the digital volume controller. The microcontroller is configured to execute electronic instructions for recognizing at least one of a feedback noise condition and a background noise condition in the audio signals and to send a control signal to the digital volume controller to adjust volume level in response to presence of the at least one of the feedback noise condition and the background noise condition.