Binaural Hearing Aid Synchronization via Timing Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hearing assistive systems lack the ability to synchronize and process physiological signals from multiple sensors effectively across devices, limiting their capability to provide real-time audio signal processing for hearing loss alleviation.
Innovation Solution
A hearing assistive system comprising two devices with sensors that communicate wirelessly, where one device provides synchronization signals to the other to acquire physiological data, allowing for synchronized signal processing and transmission, enabling the extraction of characteristics for audio signal path control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple hearing assistive devices are used to acquire physiological signals, then the capability to provide real-time audio signal processing for hearing loss alleviation is improved, but the synchronization and processing of physiological signals across devices becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the hearing assistive functionality into separate devices, each equipped with sensors for acquiring physiological signals. This segmentation allows distributed signal acquisition while maintaining individual device simplicity, with synchronization achieved through coordinated communication between devices.
Solution Approach 2:
A synchronization mechanism acts as an intermediary between multiple hearing assistive devices, coordinating their operations to acquire and process physiological signals simultaneously. This mediator enables real-time processing across devices without requiring complex peer-to-peer synchronization logic in each device.
2Measurement precision
If synchronization signals are implemented across devices, then physiological signal acquisition timing is improved, but wireless communication and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic synchronization signals transmitted between devices at regular intervals, enabling precise timing for physiological signal acquisition. This periodic approach allows devices to enter low-power states between synchronization events, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining timing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
Each hearing assistive device is equipped with sensors and processing capabilities to autonomously acquire and preliminarily process physiological signals. This self-service capability reduces the communication burden and processing requirements, as devices only need to exchange synchronization signals and essential data rather than relying on continuous centralized control.
Data Source
AI summary
A hearing assistive system including a first hearing assistive device adapted for wireless communication with second hearing assistive device, wherein the first hearing assistive device and the second hearing assistive device have at least one sensor adapted for acquiring a physiological signal each. The first hearing assistive device is adapted for providing a synchronization signal to the second hearing assistive device and instructing the second hearing assistive device to acquire the physiological signal based on timing instructions. The second hearing assistive device is adapted for acquiring the physiological signal by means of the sensor according to the received timing instructions and transmitting the acquired physiological signal wirelessly to the first hearing assistive device. The first hearing assistive device includes a processor for processing the synchronized, physiological signals acquired by sensors of the first hearing assistive device and the second hearing assistive device and synchronized via wireless communication.