Hearing Aid Wireless Link Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hearing aid systems face increased power consumption and bulkiness due to sound recording capabilities, and logged data is not presented effectively to hearing aid fitters for optimization.
Innovation Solution
A hearing aid system with a wireless link between the hearing aid and an external device, allowing for synchronized recording and logging of audio samples and variables, using an acoustical-electrical input transducer in the external device and time-stamping for data synchronization, enabling efficient data transfer and meaningful presentation to fitters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If sound recording capabilities are integrated into the hearing aid system, then audio samples can be recorded and analyzed for optimization, but power consumption increases and the device becomes bulkier
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the recording function into two separate components: the hearing aid (which logs variables and transmits trigger signals) and the external device (which records audio samples). This segmentation allows the hearing aid to remain low-power while the external device handles the energy-intensive recording task.
Solution Approach 2:
The external device acts as an intermediary between the user and the hearing aid system for recording purposes. It captures audio samples and coordinates with the hearing aid through wireless communication, eliminating the need for the hearing aid to have built-in recording capabilities.
2Loss of information
If sound recording capabilities are integrated into the hearing aid system, then audio samples can be recorded and analyzed for optimization, but the device becomes bulkier
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the recording function into two separate components: the hearing aid (which logs variables and transmits trigger signals) and the external device (which records audio samples). This segmentation allows the hearing aid to remain compact while the external device handles the recording functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of duplicating recording functionality within the hearing aid, the system uses the external device as a copy of the recording function. The external device captures audio samples that correspond to hearing aid operation periods, providing the same information without requiring additional hardware in the hearing aid.
3Loss of information
If audio samples and hearing aid variables are recorded separately, then data can be collected, but synchronization and meaningful presentation to fitters becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The external device is pre-configured with trigger signal reception capability and audio recording functionality. When a trigger signal is received from the hearing aid, the external device automatically captures the corresponding audio sample, ensuring synchronization without requiring complex post-processing alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The hearing aid transmits trigger signals to the external device based on logged variables, creating a feedback loop that automatically synchronizes data collection. This feedback mechanism ensures that audio samples are captured at the correct moments without requiring manual coordination or complex synchronization algorithms.
Data Source
AI summary
A hearing aid system (100) comprises a hearing aid (102) and an external device (101). The hearing aid (102) has link means for providing a wireless link with the external device (101), memory means for storing a hearing aid variable and signal processing means for initiating the logging in response to a trigger signal received from the external device (101) The external device (102) has link means (107) for providing the wireless link with the hearing aid (102), an input transducer (103) for providing an electrical audio signal, memory means (105) for storing a sample of the electrical audio signal, user input means (106) and signal processing means (104) configured for initiating the recording of the electrical audio signal sample and for initiating the transmission of the trigger signal to the hearing aid (102) in response to an activation of the user input means (106). The invention further provides a method of fitting a hearing aid system (100).