Binaural Hearing Aid Relay for Simultaneous Auxiliary Connections

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication protocols, such as Bluetooth Low Energy, require one device to operate as a master while the other as a slave, limiting simultaneous connections and synchronization between devices, especially in hearing aid systems.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a binaural hearing device system with dual RF transceivers and near-field magnetic induction (NFMI) communication to facilitate simultaneous connections and data transfer between hearing aids and auxiliary devices without direct communication between them.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a wireless communication protocol such as Bluetooth Low Energy is used to establish a connection between two devices, then data communication between the devices is enabled, but the connection is limited to one master device and one slave device at a time, preventing simultaneous connections to multiple auxiliary devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimultaneous connection capabilityVSAvoidconnection management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hearing device acts as an intermediary device that facilitates communication between auxiliary devices. By establishing a connection between the first auxiliary device and the second auxiliary device through the hearing device, the system enables simultaneous connections without requiring each auxiliary device to directly connect to multiple masters, thus resolving the limitation of traditional master-slave protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The communication path is segmented into multiple hops: first auxiliary device → hearing device → second auxiliary device. This segmentation allows the hearing device to manage connections independently for each auxiliary device, enabling simultaneous connections while simplifying the protocol requirements for each individual connection pair.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If a master-slave protocol is used for wireless communication, then data transmission is established, but the slave device cannot be connected to more than one master device at any given time, limiting communication flexibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication flexibilityVSAvoidconnection establishment simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The hearing device serves as a mediator that enables the first auxiliary device and second auxiliary device to communicate simultaneously without requiring either auxiliary device to switch between multiple masters. The hearing device maintains separate connections with both auxiliary devices, providing communication flexibility while keeping the connection establishment process simple for each device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If two devices operate as master devices simultaneously, then each device can independently manage its own connections, but the devices cannot synchronize their communication protocols and transmission schemes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent connection managementVSAvoidprotocol synchronization

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The hearing device acts as a synchronization intermediary that coordinates communication between the first auxiliary device and second auxiliary device. By managing the communication protocols and transmission schemes through the hearing device, the system enables independent connection management for each auxiliary device while maintaining protocol synchronization, thereby resolving the contradiction between versatility and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 simultaneous connectivity to two auxiliary devices, reduces power consumption, and stabilizes communication by using different frequencies, thus overcoming limitations of traditional protocols.

Implementation Method 1

first primary RF communication between the first hearing device and the first auxiliary device, wherein the first primary RF communication utilizes the first RF transceiver

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRF communication: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNear-field magnetic induction (NFMI) communication: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS12556870B2Method, device and system for providing communication of data between a hearing device and an auxiliary device

Publication Date: 2026.02.17 GN HEARING AS

AI summary

A binaural hearing system includes a first hearing device and a second hearing device, wherein: the first hearing device comprises a first RF transceiver and a first communication controller connected to the first RF transceiver; the first hearing device is configured to communicate with a first auxiliary device via the first RF transceiver; the first hearing device is configured to communicate with the second hearing device; and the first hearing device is configured to facilitate a communication of data between the first auxiliary device and the second hearing device by: performing a first communication with the first auxiliary device utilizing the first RF transceiver of the first hearing device; and performing a second communication with the second hearing device; wherein the first hearing device is configured to perform the first communication before the second communication.