Hearing Aid Parameter Control via Dimension Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost and complexity of configuring hearing assistance devices to individual hearing loss needs, as well as the limited user control over signal processing parameters, hinder effective treatment and accessibility for many individuals with hearing loss.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that allows users to adjust hearing assistance devices through user-friendly interfaces on mobile devices, using controllers that affect multiple signal processing parameters, with a server-based dimension reduction algorithm to simplify the adjustment process and provide real-time modifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If hearing aid configuration is performed through iterative adjustments by specialists, then the hearing aid can be tailored to patient needs, but the process becomes time-consuming and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling patients to directly adjust their own hearing aid parameters through a mobile device interface. The system provides preset configurations and allows patients to modify signal processing parameters without requiring repeated specialist visits, thus reducing configuration time while maintaining adaptability to individual hearing needs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing pre-configured hearing aid settings that are prepared in advance based on common hearing loss profiles. These preset configurations allow patients to immediately benefit from optimized settings without requiring extensive iterative adjustments, thereby reducing the time and cost of the configuration process
2Adaptability or versatility
If hearing aid configuration is performed through iterative adjustments by specialists, then the hearing aid can be tailored to patient needs, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces configuration costs by enabling patients to self-adjust their hearing aids using a mobile application. This eliminates the need for multiple specialist visits for fine-tuning, thereby reducing the labor costs associated with iterative adjustments while maintaining the ability to customize settings to individual hearing profiles
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses preset configurations that represent optimized hearing aid settings for common hearing loss patterns. These presets serve as reusable templates that can be quickly applied to multiple patients, reducing the need for extensive custom configuration work and thereby lowering overall configuration costs
3Adaptability or versatility
If patients provide feedback to specialists, then the hearing aid can be adjusted to patient preferences, but the process is limited by language ability and specialist interpretation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the feedback loop to specialists by enabling patients to directly adjust hearing aid parameters themselves. The mobile interface provides intuitive controls that allow patients to modify settings based on their own perceptions of sound quality, removing the barrier of language interpretation and specialist understanding
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a mobile device interface as an intermediary between the patient and the hearing aid. This interface translates patient preferences directly into technical parameter adjustments without requiring human interpretation, thereby improving the ease of operation while maintaining adaptability to patient needs
4Adaptability or versatility
If users are given control over signal processing parameters, then user customization is improved, but the complexity of the interface increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control interface into distinct functional areas, including preset configurations and individual parameter adjustments. This segmentation allows users to access only the level of control they need, preventing overwhelming complexity while maintaining the ability to adjust individual signal processing parameters when desired
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by providing different interface complexities for different user needs. The interface offers simple preset selections for users who want ease of use, while also providing access to detailed parameter controls for users who desire customization. Each user experiences only the complexity level they require
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
A hearing assistance device may be a hearing aid worn on a person or a mobile device. The hearing assistance device may perform a hearing assistance algorithm based on signal processing parameters. A set of audiological values for a population may be identified. The set of audiological values has a first number of dimensions. The set of audiological values is converted to a reduced data set. The reduced data has set has a second number of dimensions less than the first number of dimensions. A processor calculates a trajectory for the reduced data set. The trajectory provides signal processing parameters for the hearing assistance device.