Hearing Aid User Interface Control for Tinnitus Therapy
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current hearing assistance devices, particularly those used for tinnitus treatment, face challenges in allowing users to independently control multiple parameters such as amplification and masking noise levels due to physical space limitations, making it difficult to adjust these settings effectively.
Innovation Solution
A user interface control that senses input from the wearer to select and adjust operational parameters of both hearing assistance electronics and tinnitus therapy generators using capacitive switches or similar sensors, allowing for discrete control of amplification and masking noise levels through gestures like tapping, sweeping, and holding, thereby combining adjustments into a single control mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple separate controls are provided for adjusting amplification and masking noise levels, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity and physical size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple control functions (amplification adjustment and masking noise level adjustment) into a single control mechanism. The controller responds to different input patterns (e.g., first input for amplification, second input for masking noise) from the same control interface, eliminating the need for separate physical controls and reducing device complexity while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The single control interface is designed to perform multiple functions by detecting different input patterns. The same control can adjust amplification levels, adjust masking noise levels, or switch between different operational modes, making it a universal control that replaces multiple specialized controls and reduces overall device complexity.
2Ease of operation
If multiple separate controls are provided for adjusting amplification and masking noise levels, then ease of operation is improved, but the physical size of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple control functions into a single control interface, physically consolidating what would otherwise require separate buttons or dials. This reduction in the number of physical components directly decreases the device volume while maintaining full control capability for both amplification and masking noise level adjustments through a unified control mechanism.
3Device complexity
If a single control is used for multiple parameters, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation may worsen due to control conflicts
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically responds to different input patterns from the same control interface. By detecting the specific type of input (e.g., duration, sequence, or pattern of inputs), the system dynamically determines which parameter to adjust, eliminating control conflicts while maintaining a simple single-control interface. This dynamic response capability allows one physical control to manage multiple parameters without confusion.
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 users to easily and independently control amplification and masking noise levels, improving the effectiveness of tinnitus treatment by reducing perceived loudness and anxiety without increasing the device's physical size or complexity.
Implementation Method 1
A user interface control that senses input from the wearer to select and adjust operational parameters of both hearing assistance electronics and tinnitus therapy generators using capacitive switches or similar sensors
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus for a user interface control to allow control of multiple parameters from a single control for a hearing assistance device. One aspect of the present subject matter relates to hearing assistance device for a wearer, including a housing, hearing assistance electronics housed in the housing, and a tinnitus therapy generator housed in the housing. A user interface control is connected to the electronics and the generator, and the control is configured to sense input from the wearer and provide for selection and adjustment of operational parameters for the electronics and the generator based on the sensed input. Other aspects are provided without departing from the scope of the present subject matter.