Hearing Instrument Component Sizing via Ear Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge lies in ensuring users can appropriately select the sizing of hearing instrument components without specialized equipment or professional guidance, particularly with the rise of over-the-counter and direct-to-consumer hearing aids.
Innovation Solution
A computing device is used to automatically select the size of a hearing instrument component based on scans of the user's ear, utilizing sensors to capture images or dimension data, and referencing look-up tables to determine the appropriate component length or color matching the user's skin tone.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional manual measurement methods are used for selecting hearing instrument component size, then professional guidance and specialized equipment are required, but this increases the complexity and cost of the fitting process
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables users to perform ear measurements and hearing instrument component size selection independently without requiring professional audiologists or specialized measurement equipment. The mobile computing device with integrated sensors allows users to scan their own ears and automatically determine appropriate component sizes, making the process self-service oriented and eliminating the need for professional guidance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical measurement tools and manual measurement methods with an automated imaging and processing system. The mobile computing device captures images of the user's ear using integrated sensors, and image processing algorithms automatically measure ear dimensions and determine component sizes, substituting mechanical measurement systems with an automated optical and computational approach.
2Measurement precision
If automated image scanning is used to measure ear dimensions, then component size selection accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile computing device performs multiple functions using its integrated sensors: capturing images of the user's ear, processing the images to measure ear dimensions, determining hearing instrument component sizes, and providing guidance through the interface. This multi-functionality approach consolidates what would traditionally require separate specialized equipment into a single universal device, improving measurement precision without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses an intermediary approach by employing a mobile computing device as a mediator between the user and the measurement process. The device captures ear images, processes them through algorithms, and translates the visual data into accurate dimensional measurements and component size recommendations, serving as an intermediary that simplifies the overall system while maintaining precision.
3Reliability
If professional guidance is required for hearing instrument fitting, then reliability of the fit is improved, but the time and cost for users increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables users to independently complete the hearing instrument fitting process by performing ear measurements and component size selection themselves using the mobile computing device. This self-service capability eliminates the need for professional audiologists to perform measurements, significantly reducing the time users lose to fittings while maintaining reliable fit results through automated precise measurement algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the mobile computing device captures ear images, processes them to determine component sizes, and provides real-time guidance to the user. The system iteratively refines measurements and recommendations based on the captured data, ensuring reliable fit results while allowing users to complete the process independently without professional intervention.
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
This approach improves the accuracy of component size selection for hearing instruments, eliminating the need for professional guidance and ensuring a better fit for users, while also allowing for color customization to match individual skin tones.
Implementation Method 1
one or more sensors of a mobile computing device may capture an image of the user's ear
Implementation Method 2
the mobile computing device may capture the representation using one or more dimension capturing sensors (e.g., depth sensors, one or more structured light sensors, and/or one or more time of flight sensors)
Data Source
AI summary
An example method includes capturing, via one or more sensors of a computing system, a representation of an ear of a user; determining, based on the representation, a value of a measurement of the ear of the user; and selecting, based on the value of the measurement, a length of a wire or tube of a hearing instrument to be worn on the ear of the user.